As clear aligners has become a part of various patient’s journeys, understanding the role of auxiliaries becomes crucial. Auxiliaries act as complementary tools in the clear aligner treatment to address orthodontic challenges and enhance the overall process.
What are auxiliaries?
Auxiliaries are used in conjunction with clear aligners to enhance their effectiveness. They play an important role in achieving optimal tooth movement, ensuring successful and efficient orthodontic treatments.
Let us dig deeper into auxiliaries:
Elastics
Elastics are rubber bands that are routinely used to correct various types of malocclusions in orthodontic treatments. When combined with clear aligners, elastics provide an additional force that aids in guiding the teeth into their desired positions and improving the overall bite.
Some examples of elastic types:
- Class I elastics or horizontal elastics: used for space closure within each arch
- Class II elastics: used to correct class II malocclusions
- Class III elastics: used to correct class III malocclusions
- Vertical elastics: used to correct open bites by adjusting the vertical relationship between the upper and lower teeth
Elastics are attached to specific points on the clear aligners using hooks or buttons. The precise placement depends on the type of malocclusion.
Consistent wear is crucial for the effectiveness of elastics. Patients are instructed to wear them as prescribed by their orthodontist. Therefore, the combination of clear aligners and elastics enhances the predictability of tooth movement, assisting in achieving treatment goals within the estimated timeframe.
Power Ridges
Power ridges are small negative bumps on the aligners that provide additional force to move teeth more effectively. They serve as pressure points that facilitate controlled tooth movements. They achieve better torque specially for incisors.
Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs)
TADs, also known as mini-implants or micro-screws, are devices made of biocompatible materials like titanium, which means they are designed to be stable within the bone. They act as stable anchorage points in the jawbone during orthodontic treatment. TADs provide orthodontists with a tool to anchor specific teeth or groups of teeth, allowing for a more precise and controlled movement. While TADs are commonly associated with traditional braces, they can be used in combination with clear aligners to address complex orthodontic cases.
Common application of TAD in clear aligner treatment:
- Molar distalization: TADs can be used to provide anchorage for moving molars backward and creating space for proper alignment.
- Intrusion and extrusion: TADs assist in controlled tooth movements, including intruding (moving a tooth upward) or extruding (moving a tooth downward) teeth.
- Rotation correction: TADs also assist in addressing rotational issues by providing stable anchorage for the precise rotation of specific teeth.
- Complex bite corrections: in cases such as severe under bites, overbites, cross bites, and open bites TADs can be strategically placed to address each case.
In conclusion, auxiliaries work in collaboration with clear aligners to address diverse dental complexities, ensuring a well-studied and effective approach for each patient. The different types of auxiliaries, including TADs, power ridges, elastics, and more, allows orthodontists to navigate through various cases, achieving optimal tooth movements and bite corrections.