Optimal Treatment Plans: Utilizing Clear Aligners

mm Written by Andrew Sedler

As the world continues to change, people are becoming more aware of their choices. As a result, consumers today have an increased awareness of esthetics, and thanks to the internet, they can research available treatment modalities.

This heightened knowledge has created a need for dental offices to offer comprehensive products and services that ensure optimal patient care. As a result, orthodontics has become one area that can significantly benefit a patient's oral health.

Treatment Plan

When diagnosing a case, it is a good idea to offer the ideal treatment plan, so the patient has all of the options available as they move forward with treatment. Orthodontics often is essential in achieving natural esthetic results and in treating cases that need the occlusion corrected.

However, while patients desire improved esthetics and function, the idea of wearing conventional metal braces to reach the end result is often a problematic treatment for them to accept. It is precisely this issue that has helped to fuel the innovation of removable clear aligners.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are used to move the teeth orthodontically. Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) requires the fabrication of a series of aligners.

These aligners are fabricated incrementally, with a new one being made approximately every three to four weeks.

Each aligner is made according to a treatment plan to move teeth into an ideal location within the mouth.

Clear Aligners at Burbank Dental Lab

Conventional Workflow

The conventional workflow in fabricating clear aligners for OTM begins with traditional impression methods. First, a polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impression is taken on both the upper and lower arches. You should also provide a proper bite record and x-rays. It is an excellent idea to provide photos both intraorally and extraorally.

With this information, you can develop an orthodontic tooth movement plan. Burbank Dental Lab uses the impressions and bites to mount the case and evaluate the patient’s current situation. Then the desired result is evaluated, unveiling any needed reduction, extrusions or intrusions.

Clear Aligners - Burbank Dental Lab

Once this is evaluated, the number of aligners necessary to reach the desired result is determined.

The conventional workflow is as follows:

  1. Polyvinyl siloxane impressions are taken on both arches.
  2. Bite records are taken.
  3. X-rays are recorded.
  4. Internal and external photos are taken.
  5. The case is poured, mounted, and evaluated for the current condition of the mouth and the desired end result.
  6. The number of aligners needed to achieve the desired results is determined.

The first aligner can then be fabricated, and the patient should expect a new one every three to four weeks during the OTM process.

Digital Workflow

As with most fabrication processes in dentistry, the fabrication of clear aligners for OTM can be done using a digital workflow. This method is especially beneficial because the aligners tend to show better accuracy, not to mention the turn-around time is faster. This all lends itself to improved patient satisfaction.

While there are different methods for creating clear aligners with a digital workflow, one very successful method is utilizing the Blue Sky Plan Software. Therefore, the Blue Sky Plan Software plays an essential role in planning OTM cases.

Blue Sky - Clear Aligners

The digital workflow is as follows:

  1. Scan both arches with an intraoral scanner.
  2. Upload the files into the Blue Sky Software.
  3. Identify current teeth positions.
  4. Define the teeth' border and tissue.
  5. Once the current situation is determined, virtual tooth movement can begin.
  6. You can move the teeth digitally in the following ways:
    - To reach ideal alignment in an arch.
    - A single tooth can be moved within the arch.
    - The teeth can be tipped with the pivot fulcrum set at the height of the gingiva.
  7. Once the desired result is determined, the case is evaluated to decide the duration of the aligner steps. Once this is determined, the software will reverse engineer the movement process based on the set parameters.
  8. Composite buttons are then placed on teeth to mimic the desired movement.
  9. Finally, each model receives a label that identifies the name of the patient and the step number. Models are then printed on a 3D printer.
  10. These models are then used to fabricate the aligners for each step of the plan.
Optimal Treatment Plans: Utilizing Clear Aligners

Burbank Dental Lab can provide unique expertise in the planning of these types of cases. By allowing our orthodontic team to help plan, valuable time is freed up for the clinician.

Patient Compliance

OTM treatment success is dependent on the patient's willingness to comply with wearing the aligner. It is important to note that these clear aligners are not indicated for every patient, but they offer an excellent solution for those who can benefit.

Patients have been more willing to accept treatment and comply when the aligners are clear as they are not as noticeable as the older metal aligners, and you can remove them.

This treatment's success lies entirely on the patient's willingness to wear the appliance according to the times they have been instructed. If the patient forgets to wear the appliance or loses it, the treatment can be set back by weeks. Therefore, patients must understand the importance of the disciplined use of the aligner and wear it for the prescribed amount of time.

Providing support to clinicians is the main focus of Burbank Dental Lab. Therefore, we seek new technologies that will help improve case success and provide optimal resources to ensure patients receive the best the dental industry has to offer.

Orthodontic tooth movement is an excellent way to ensure optimal results are achieved. Call or chat today with a Burbank Dental Lab team member to plan your next OTM case.

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Fabrication
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Fabrication
of the future
is here!

Burbank Dental Lab has three new state-of-the-art Carbon M2 printers. We are very excited about the options that these cutting-edge printers will allow us to offer our dental clients. Here are some of the advantages that these printers will begin to deliver to you and your dental practice.

Our New
State-Of-The-Art
3d Printers

Carbon offers a highly dependable 3D manufacturing solution for many dental applications with its breakthrough Digital Light Synthesis™ technology, enabled by a wide range of dental materials.