WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT CLEAR ALIGNERS

What_We_Know_About_Clear_Alignersapak

AUXILIARY TOOLS AND MECHANICS IN CLEAR ALIGNER THERAPY

Ece Melda Yardımcı1 Nilüfer İrem Tunçer2

1Başkent University, Faculty of Dentistry,Department of Orthodontics, Ankara, Türkiye
2Başkent University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics, Ankara, Türkiye

Yardımcı EM, Tunçer Nİ. Auxiliary Tools and Mechanics in Clear Aligner Therapy. In: Hancıoğlu Kırcelli B. editor. What We Know About Clear Aligners 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2025. p.143-155.

ABSTRACT

Clear aligner therapy (CAT) has opened a new chapter in the treatment of orthodontic malocclusions, delivering satisfying results in terms of both patient expectations and treatment outcomes. However, full expression of planned movements often relies on the use of auxiliary tools and mechanics, which address the limitations of aligner-only systems and expand the range of treatable malocclusions. This chapter explores various auxiliary tools and techniques used in CAT to enhance treatment outcomes, including attachments, intraoral elastics, altered aligner geometry, hybrid techniques, temporary skeletal anchorage devices (TSADs), palatal expanders, seaters, and detailing pliers, highlighting their clinical applications and the importance of their strategic use in achieving optimal orthodontic outcomes with CAT.

Keywords: Altered aligner geometry; Auxiliary mechanics; Hybrid treatment; Intraoral elastics; Pliers; Temporary skeletal anchorage devices

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