Aligner orthodontics has emerged as a popular and viable alternative to traditional braces for correcting malocclusion. The success of aligner therapy depends on several factors, including the biomechanical principles underlying treatment mechanics. This lecture explores the evolution of aligner orthodontics from attachment-driven approaches to aligner-driven strategies, highlighting the biomechanical considerations involved. In attachment-driven aligner therapy, the orthodontic attachments play a crucial role in achieving desired tooth movements. Attachments are strategically placed on specific teeth to enable predictable control and force application during treatment. In recent years, aligner-guided approaches, which focus on optimizing aligner design to improve tooth movement capabilities, have emerged. Aligner-guided biomechanics aims to improve treatment efficiency, predictability, patient comfort, and aesthetics. These advances are made possible by innovations in aligner material properties, manufacturing techniques, and treatment planning software. One of the major developments in the biomechanics of aligner orthodontics is the use of the elastic properties of aligner materials. By incorporating specific elastic characteristics, aligners can generate more controlled forces and moment-force relationships, improving the predictability of tooth movement. The elastic properties of aligner materials enable efficient transmission of forces to the teeth, resulting in optimized biomechanics during treatment.


Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you will be able to know the potential and limitations of aligner orthodontics
After this lecture, you will be able to learn how advances in materials and applied technology, along with clinical research, are improving the predictability of orthodontic tooth movement control.
After this lecture, you will be able to critically analyze orthodontic marketing proposals.