When Aligners Excel and When Not

Let’s be honest – the occlusion after Aligner cases can be a little ‘off’ (even after fixed appliances!)

How do you know if your patient’s occlusion after aligner treatment is acceptable or risky?

What practical guidelines can general dentists follow to manage occlusion when orthodontic results aren’t textbook-perfect?

Jaz and Dr. Jesper Hatt explore the most common challenges dentists face, from ClinCheck errors and digital setup pitfalls to balancing aesthetics with functional occlusion.

They also discuss key strategies to help you evaluate, guide, and optimize occlusion in your patients, because understanding what is acceptable and what needs intervention can make all the difference in long-term treatment stability and patient satisfaction.

Protrusive Dental Pearl: Harmony and Occlusal Compatibility

• Always ensure restorative anatomy suits the patient’s natural occlusal scheme and age-related wear. If opposing teeth are flat and amalgam-filled, polished cuspal anatomy will be incompatible — flatten as needed to conform.

Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!

Key Takeaways

• Common mistakes in ClinCheck planning often stem from occlusion issues.
• Effective communication and documentation are crucial in clinical support.
• Occlusion must be set correctly to ensure successful treatment outcomes.
• Understanding the patient’s profile is essential for effective orthodontics.
• Collaboration between GPs and orthodontists can enhance patient care.
• Retention of orthodontic results is a lifelong commitment.
• Aesthetic goals must align with functional occlusion in treatment planning.
• Informed consent is critical when discussing potential surgical interventions. The tongue plays a crucial role in orthodontic outcomes.
• Spacing cases should often be approached as restorative cases.
• Aligners can achieve precise spacing more effectively than fixed appliances.
• Enamel adjustments may be necessary for optimal occlusion post-treatment.
• Retention strategies must be tailored to individual patient needs.
• Case assessment is vital for determining treatment complexity.

Highlights of this episode:

Free Aligner Case Support!
Send your patient’s case number and get a full assessment in 24 hours—easy, moderate, complex, or referral. Plus, access our 52-point planning protocol and 2-min photo course. No uploads, no cost.

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Learn more at alignerservice.com

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t miss: Do’s and Don’ts of Aligners [STRAIGHTPRIL] – PDP071

#PDPMainEpisodes #OcclusionTMDandSplints #OrthoRestorative

This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. 

This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and C.

AGD Subject Code: 370 ORTHODONTICS (Functional orthodontic therapy)

Aim: To provide general dentists with practical guidance for managing occlusion in aligner therapy, from bite capture to retention, including common pitfalls, functional considerations, and case selection.

Dentists will be able to –

1. Identify common errors in digital bite capture and occlusion setup.
2. Understand the impact of anterior inclination and mandibular movement patterns on occlusal stability.
3. Plan retention strategies appropriate for aligner and restorative cases.