StraightSmile Solutions®

How to Learn Clear Aligners from StraightSmile Solutions- Clear Aligner and Invisalign “Courses” for 2026
Why StraightSmile Solutions Doesn’t Offer a “Full Aligner Course”
One of the most common questions Dr. Amanda hears is:
“Why don’t you teach a full, clear aligner course?”
The answer is simple yet deeply rooted in the way orthodontics is taught. Dr. Amanda argues that one should not take a separate aligner course since clear aligners do not form the basis of orthodontics. They are a delivery system. Aligners can be unpredictable, challenging, and annoying without a clear understanding of how the teeth move.
Orthodontic residents do not start with aligners. They learn:
Straight-wire braces
Phase 1 orthodontics
Growth and airway principles
Only after mastering these fundamentals do they move on to aligners. When clinicians attempt to learn aligners first, comprehension takes longer, and outcomes suffer. StraightSmile Solutions was intentionally designed to mirror residency-style learning because that approach has proven effective.
Why Learning Orthodontic Fundamentals Comes First
Clear aligners are based on the same biological principles as braces. The teeth react to force, anchorage, and timing; software preferences are irrelevant. Clinicians are often not provided with the knowledge of straight-wire mechanics and interceptive orthodontics, and they end up making educated guesses about why aligner plans fail.
Dr. Amanda is confident that clinicians have to:
Learn the movement of teeth with braces.
Acquire orthodontic and airway at an early stage.
Establish orthodontic thinking preceding contact with Aligners.
This will enable aligners to be meaningful rather than appear like black box technology.
Why StraightSmile Solutions Is Aligner-Agnostic
Another reason StraightSmile Solutions does not offer a single, branded aligner course is the simple reality:
There are dozens of aligner companies, and they are constantly changing.
Features are added, removed, rebranded, or discontinued. Teaching a single aligner system inevitably leads to outdated education. Dr. Amanda chooses to remain aligner-agnostic, meaning:
She does not work for aligner companies
Non-disclosure agreements do not restrict her
She can openly discuss what works and what doesn’t
Some companies she discusses frequently because she sees consistent success. Others she does not mention due to legal or professional constraints. Silence does not mean failure, but transparency matters.
The Problem with Branded Aligner Courses
Many Invisalign and clear aligner courses are sponsored or co-sponsored by aligner companies. While these programs can appear comprehensive, they often prioritize:
Branding over biomechanics
Product promotion over fundamentals
Marketing outcomes over long-term predictability
Dr. Amanda has firsthand experience consulting for aligner companies and being discouraged from speaking openly about movements she felt were biologically questionable. This conflict is exactly why StraightSmile Solutions exists independently.
The goal is education and not sales.
The StraightSmile Solutions Aligner Learning Workflow
Step 1: Learn Straight-Wire and Phase 1 Orthodontics
The first step is always the same:
Learn braces and Phase 1 orthodontics.
StraightSmile Solutions offers:
Fully digital orthodontic courses
Phase 1 and airway education
Residency-style foundational learning
For clinicians who do not plan to place brackets clinically, the digital courses alone are more than sufficient and extremely affordable. For those who want hands-on experience, additional options and referrals are available.
There are 27 structured units, designed to be completed at your own pace.
Step 2: Choose Your Aligner Path (Scanner Determines Options)
Once fundamentals are learned, clinicians choose their aligner pathway, which is often dictated by the type of scanner used.
The iTero Route
Higher initial investment
Access to Invisalign and multiple third-party aligners
Exclusive tools like Outcome Simulator and Smile Architect
StraightSmile offices use iTero scanners, but also work with non-Invisalign aligner systems.
The non-iTero Route
Lower cost scanners
More limited Invisalign access in many regions
Still viable with strong orthodontic fundamentals
Scanner choice often determines the flexibility of aligners, so this decision should be made intentionally.
Step 3: Scan Every Patient (Not Just Ortho Cases)
One of the most important recommendations in this workflow is to scan every patient aged six and up.
Scanning becomes:
Routine documentation
Risk management
Patient education
Orthodontic opportunity discovery
Instead of asking patients if they want an orthodontic exam, scanning becomes a standard procedure just like probing or oral cancer screening. This approach creates opportunities that clinicians often overlook.
Step 4: Collect Proper Records
If using Invisalign, Dr. Amanda strongly recommends:
Invisalign Practice App for photos
Integration with Outcome Simulator
Access to Smile Architect and AI tools
For non-Invisalign workflows:
Standard 8-photo orthodontic series
Panoramic X-ray when available
FMX if a pano cannot be obtained
Cephalometric X-rays are not required initially and should be introduced later based on treatment goals. StraightSmile Solutions offers comprehensive Ceph education as a separate offering.
Step 5: Learn Aligner Features Through Free Education
Rather than paying for a branded aligner course, clinicians are encouraged to utilize Dr. Amanda’s extensive free educational resources.
Her Invisalign playlist includes:
Over 300 videos
Feature explanations
Movement analysis
Workflow guidance
While aligner features evolve, understanding how and why they are used remains consistent.
Step 6: Concierge and VIP Support
After data collection and initial learning, StraightSmile Solutions recommends a short-term concierge or VIP membership.
Most clinicians choose:
3 – 6 months of support
Case guidance and troubleshooting
Real-time confidence building
Doctors who implement the full workflow consistently report significant profitability, not because aligners are inherently profitable but because opportunities were already present and are now properly identified.
Why This Workflow Works
Clinicians who follow this workflow:
Understand when to treat and when to refer
Communicate orthodontic needs confidently
Improve restorative, implant, and cosmetic outcomes
Even when cases are referred out, clinicians benefit from understanding why referral is appropriate.
Orthodontics improves:
Comprehensive care
Airway awareness
Long-term treatment stability
Dr. Amanda has never seen an office fail after fully implementing this workflow.
Conclusion
Invisalign and clear aligners do not require learning a brand, but rather learning the basics of orthodontics. StraightSmile Solutions trains clinicians on how orthodontists can think, rather than on how software sells. Clinicians who first learn braces and Phase 1 orthodontics have the freedom, confidence, and predictability of any system of aligners.
This is not an aligner course. It is an orthodontic training on how it should be.

Introduction

Dr. Amanda breaks down her top three real-world IPE tricks, highlighting the gap between official Invisalign instruction and what experienced orthodontists actually do. Her recommendations are based on collective clinical experience, rather than corporate guidelines, and aim to make IPEs more predictable and effective.

1. Eat With the Appliance In

• Absolute requirement for proper expansion and predictable outcomes.
• Research and clinical experience show that appliances like Schwarz expanders fail primarily because patients do not eat with them.
• IPEs are bulkier, so early-age patients (younger Phase 1 kids) respond best; teens often reject the bulk and speech changes.
• Must be worn 24 hours/day, including meals, speaking, and daily activities.

2. Parent-Controlled Insertion & Removal

• Only removed twice daily: morning and night.
• Parent (ideally mom) must remove, clean, and reinsert; kids cannot safely manage it alone.
• Prevents hygiene issues, decay, and failed wear due to difficulty removing the bulky IPE.
• Morning routine: parent removes appliance, brushes it, supervises child brushing, reinserts.
• Evening routine: same sequence after dinner, no additional removals allowed.
• If a child needs an athletic anterior mouthguard, IPE is not appropriate.

3. Select the Right Patient and the Right Parents

• Patient selection is critical for success.
• Homeschool children often do best with no social pressure, fewer speech concerns, and high compliance.
• Junior high/high school students rarely comply; consider fixed or 3D-printed expanders instead.
• Attachment breakage is usually not an emergency if the appliance still seats fully; eating with it in reduces breakage.
• Because IPEs are expensive, poor candidate selection leads to costly remakes and treatment delays.

Conclusion

Successful IPE treatment depends on eating with the appliance, adhering to strict parent-managed routines, and carefully selecting patients who are suitable for this treatment. When these three pillars align, IPEs can deliver strong, predictable Phase 1 expansion results.

Phase 1 Interceptive Straightwire Mistakes: “Smiley Wires,” “Lack-o-Cinch,” “Lack-o-Space”

Introduction

Dr. Amanda reviews common mistakes clinicians make when using segmental straightwire mechanics in Phase 1 interceptive orthodontics. She emphasizes that the Phase 1 straight wire is very different from standard straight wire or comprehensive braces. She also recommends taking her Phase 1 course or watching her Phase 1 playlist to avoid procedural errors. Focus of the video: identifying three key mistakes, Smiley Wires, Lack-o-Cinch, and Lack-o-Space, and understanding why they cause treatment failure.

Smiley Wires (Cinch Error)

• A “smiley wire” happens when the clinician forgets to cinch the wire or the cinch breaks/slides.
• Round wires rotate easily; without proper cinching, they flip upward and distort the archform.
• Result: the arch looks “smiley” on one side and flat on the other, unbalanced and unstable.
• A flipped wire can push teeth buccally, sometimes severely enough to risk pushing roots outside the bone.
• Segmental 2×2 or 1×1 setups are especially vulnerable because they lack adequate anchorage.
• If a cinch error is ignored, the tooth can self-extract or become dangerously displaced.

Lack-o-Cinch (Incomplete Securement)

• Occurs when the wire is not fully seated, secured, or stabilized.
• Leads to uncontrolled wire rotation and unintended tooth movement.
• Cutting the wire after it has slid can worsen the distortion and accelerate buccal displacement.
• Proper anchorage and securement are essential for any segmental setup.

Lack-o-Space (Bracketing with No Space)

• Bracketing teeth in an arch without sufficient space is ineffective and can damage underlying permanent teeth.
• Interceptive brackets cannot create space when multiple baby teeth remain, and roots of permanent teeth are still developing.
• For Phase 1, expansion must precede bracketing.
• Dr. Amanda recommends 1.5-2 mm of extra space per tooth, plus additional room for eruption. Often, a space of 4-7 mm is missing when errors occur.
• Expansion devices (not braces) should be used first to avoid pushing on unstable or loose baby teeth.

Conclusion

Phase 1 straightwire requires precise mechanics, space creation, and proper cinching. Avoiding these three mistakes prevents complications, protects erupting teeth, and leads to predictable results.

How to Turn Little Asian Retrognathic Small-SNA Faces Into K-Pop Superstar Full-Broad-Smile Cases

Introduction

Dr. Amanda explains a growing orthodontic trend among East Asian families seeking a broad, full “K-Pop style” for children who naturally have small SNA values and retrusive midfaces. She shares cultural insights, clinical considerations, and the ethical limits of creating facial fullness without surgery. Her guidance emphasizes sensitivity to cultural expectations, realistic growth potential, and the responsible selection of patients.

Understanding Cultural Aesthetics

• Many East Asian parents worry about teeth appearing too “bucky,” “toothy,” or excessively full.
• At the same time, the broad “K-Pop style” is seen as attractive and vibrant and is increasingly desired.
• These preferences vary, and discussing them insensitively can offend families unfamiliar with Western orthodontic ideals.

Clinical Realities of Small-SNA Faces

• Small SNA = retrusive maxilla; if the mandible is normal, this creates Class III patterns treatable with protraction face masks.
• The challenge arises when a child is Class I, functionally normal, but parents request more facial fullness.
• Creating a malocclusion to fix it later is risky, potentially unethical, and may lead to conflict if parents dislike the outcome.

What Growth Guidance Can and Can’t Do

• Orthotropics, posture work, and diet can influence facial development from ages 1-4; effectiveness decreases significantly after age 8.
• Expansion and forward growth stimulation can help, but cannot fully remodel a midface without innate growth potential.
• Advancing the maxilla electively introduces liability: forward growth cannot be reversed without surgery.

Compliance, Family Dynamics & Case Selection

• Phase I success requires a child who communicates independently, follows instructions, and is supported, not overshadowed, by the parent.
• Red flags: parent answering all questions, minimizing hygiene issues, or making excuses for lack of cooperation.
• Without reliable compliance, complex growth-modification plans are likely to fail.

Conclusion

Transforming small-SNA faces naturally into broad, “K-Pop style” requires cultural sensitivity, ethical judgment, and careful case selection. While some growth guidance is possible, elective maxillary advancement carries risks that must be communicated clearly. Ultimately, the safest and most successful outcomes result from selecting the right patients, setting realistic goals, and prioritizing long-term facial health over fleeting trends.

Mistakes in Edge-to-Edge Class III Adult Treatment Planning: Why Invisalign Incisor Extrusions Are Hocus Pocus

Introduction

Dr. Amanda highlights the most common mistakes clinicians make when planning treatment for adult Class III, edge-to-edge, or borderline Class III Invisalign cases. These errors often come from skipping diagnostic imaging, misunderstanding incisor position, or relying on automated “AI-bot” setups instead of guiding the plan with real orthodontic principles. She explains why these shortcuts lead to unrealistic movements, especially incisor extrusion “magic,” and how proper records prevent bone, stability, and aesthetic problems.

Why Mild Class III/Edge-to-Edge Cases Get Mishandled

• Many borderline Class III cases only require lower IPR to correct the bite.
• Instead, clinicians try to avoid IPR and hope software will “fix it.”
• Failing to check Bolton ratios, angulation, and sagittal relationships leads to incorrect assumptions about whether the case is even solvable without space management.

The Critical Role of Cephs and CBCTs

• A ceph shows incisor angulation relative to the cranial base, maxilla, soft tissue, and facial harmony.
• A CBCT only shows bone availability, not whether a movement is aesthetically or functionally appropriate.
• Without these diagnostics, clinicians cannot know whether incisors should be flared, uprighted, or maintained.

The “AI Cookie-Cutter Bot” Problem

• If you don’t give explicit instructions, the aligner company’s engine will attempt “Hocus Pocus” movements, typically extruding and flaring incisors to compensate for AP discrepancy.
• These movements push teeth out of bone, compromise periodontal health, and create unstable outcomes.
• Automated setups are not customized and lack clinical accountability; they produce outcomes that “look magical” but fail in real mouths.

Conclusion

Successful adult Class III and edge-to-edge cases require planning, proper imaging, and clear treatment directives, rather than reliance on automated setups. Cephs and CBCTs guide whether space, IPR, or controlled incisor movements are appropriate. Avoiding diagnostics and letting software improvise leads to unrealistic “magic tricks” that risk bone and stability. Thoughtful clinician-driven planning is essential for safe and predictable Class III correction.

Dr. Amanda breaks down the realities behind using the bootstrap technique for extrusion within Invisalign cases. Although widely discussed, it is far from her preferred method and is useful only in rare, highly specific scenarios. She emphasizes that extrusion is one of the most difficult movements with aligners, and bootstrapping should never be the first solution. Instead, it is a last-resort, stopgap technique reserved for urgent situations or when all other predictable options, especially refinement, are unavailable.

When the Bootstrap Technique Is Actually Appropriate

• Ideal only when one single tooth needs extrusion.
• The rest of the case must be fully finished and stable.
• There must be adequate vertical and proximal space, with no contacts blocking movement.
• A second scenario: the patient is traveling and cannot be rescanned for refinement, and no previous aligners are available for backtracking.

Critical Pre-Checks Before Bootstrapping

• Perio stability must be confirmed; excessive force risks permanent damage.
• Evaluate whether the tooth is conical, rotated, or short-rooted; these respond unpredictably.
• Ensure there is a plan for firm long-term retention, as extruded teeth relapse easily.

Practical Challenges

• Patients struggle with placing elastics; they often need tweezers or specialized tools.
• Elastic selection varies depending on tooth size and orientation; no universal answer.
• Clear buttons are bulky; metal-bonded hooks perform far better.
• Most patients will dislike the appearance and inconvenience. Only highly motivated patients tolerate the process.

Creative Workarounds

• In rare cases, a small piece of power chain can replace an elastic if sized correctly.
• Works best on cooperative family members (“sofa orthodontics”), not typical patients.

Conclusion

Bootstrapping can work, but only in narrow, highly controlled situations involving a single stubborn tooth and no time for refinement. It demands careful diagnostics, patient skill, and cautious force application. Ultimately, it is not a standard technique, but rather a temporary lifesaver when all predictable aligner options are unavailable.

Dr. Amanda breaks down the common confusion surrounding Invisalign tracking, specifically, how to determine whether an aligner is truly “off track,” when to panic, when to stay calm, and what alternatives exist before resorting to a refinement. She stresses that most tracking issues are preventable and fixable if patients understand proper use of chewies, save old aligners, and if clinicians know how to read movement tables (TMT) to understand exactly what each aligner is programmed to do.
Chewies Done Right
Most patients receive chewies with no instruction, leading to poor results.
Dr. Amanda recommends Ortho Munchies for better structure, grooves, and guided technique.
Suggests clinicians create short training videos to increase compliance and build value.
Reinforces that proper chewing technique can resolve many minor gaps without refinements.
Before Assuming an Aligner Tracking Problem
Always review the Treatment Movement Table (TMT) to understand what each aligner is programmed to do.
Essential for determining if the tooth is supposed to:
Intrude
Extrude
Rotate
Torque
Root move
Tracking must be judged based on the planned movement, not appearance alone.
Gap interpretation:
Small gaps: Normal – advise chewies.
Moderate gaps: Consider backtracking or a replacement aligner.
Large gaps: True loss of tracking – refinement likely needed.
Backtracking as a Fast Fix
Works only if patients saved old aligners. Stress this at the start of treatment.
Patients should always bring old trays to appointments.
Staying longer in the same aligner + chewies can help, but the tray may stain – possible need for a replacement.
Often resolves mild to moderate tracking issues without refinement.
When Refinement Is Necessary
Backtracking fails or movement stalls despite chewies.
TMT shows complex biomechanics (e.g., torque, rotation) that the current aligner cannot achieve.
Virtual monitoring helps catch issues early, preventing major tracking failures and reducing refinements.
Conclusion
Not every gap or fit issue is a ” real “loss of tracking.” By reviewing programmed movements, coaching proper chewy use, backtracking when possible, and monitoring consistently, clinicians can resolve most problems without unnecessary refinements, saving time for both patients and providers.

Introduction

Dr. Amanda reviews why posterior open bites (POBs) are expected and normal after mandibular advancement (MA) with Invisalign. A strong POB is often a positive sign of patient compliance and a successful MA phase. Because POBs vary widely, choosing the right finishing method requires careful, case-specific thinking.

1. Why POBs Occur After MA

• POBs are not complications; they are built-in consequences of how MA shifts the jaw and loads forces.
  • Severity varies due to anatomy, jaw angulation, bite force, eating habits, wear time, and whether patients chew with aligners in.
  • “Full POBs” where all posterior teeth are open are easiest to correct.
  • “Messy POBs” with uneven or mixed contacts are more challenging and require thoughtful decision-making.

2. Common Options to Resolve MA-Related POBs

• AI-generated orthodontic suggestions highlight standard possibilities:
  – Elastics
  – Aligner modifications
  – Refinement with new attachments
  – Bonded retainers
  • Dr. Amanda notes these answers are not wrong but oversimplified; MA-related POBs behave differently than standard Invisalign POBs.
  • Invisalign’s own teaching recommends a “do nothing” transition (TBTG), though many clinicians find it unreliable.

3. Dr. Amanda’s Practical Approach

• Three preferred options:

1. Do Nothing – allow natural settling; often the safest and best during busy seasons.
2. Sloppy Bonded Retainers – can help settle the bite but break easily, especially around holidays.
3. Mini-Aligner Refinements – possible but risky; can overcorrect without strict virtual monitoring.
   • Every MA case is a puzzle requiring individualized reasoning based on patient behavior, parent expectations, and office logistics.
   • Consider seasonal timing: during holidays, avoid bonded retainers or treatments requiring high accountability tracking.

Conclusion

POBs after MA are predictable, manageable, and often indicators of successful treatment. There is no single best method; instead, clinicians must tailor the finishing approach to the level of compliance, timing, and oversight capacity. When in doubt, especially during busy periods, doing nothing and allowing natural bite settling is often the safest and most reliable strategy.

Arch Expansion in Adults vs. Kids: SARPE, MARPE, RPE, MSE & Schwartz

Introduction

Dr. Amanda explains the key differences between arch expansion in children versus adults and clarifies what is possible with RPE, MARPE, SARPE, MSE, and other expanders. This topic builds on her previous videos on skeletal versus dental expansion, and she emphasizes reviewing those foundations before diving into the limitations of adult versus pediatric expansion. The goal is to provide clinicians with a realistic understanding of when true skeletal expansion is possible, when treatment only results in dental tipping, and when surgery becomes the only predictable option.

1. Why Expansion Works Easily in Kids

• In children, the maxilla is formed by two palatal shelves connected by a suture filled with interdigitations.
  • This suture has not fused, making it easy to widen using RPEs or similar appliances.
  • True skeletal expansion improves tongue posture, airway, and bite stability.
  • Earlier is always better: young, growing patients experience more predictable widening with fewer negative side effects.

2. Why Expansion Fails in Adults Without Surgery

• By adulthood, the palatal suture is fully fused, preventing natural splitting.
  • Expanders, quad-helix appliances, and aligners only produce dental tipping, not skeletal widening.
  • Dental tipping may cause bite distortions, such as posterior open bites, making treatment unpredictable and often unstable.
  • In many cases, leaving a mild posterior crossbite is safer than attempting incomplete expansion.

3. Surgical Routes: MARPE, MSE, and SARPE

• True skeletal expansion in adults requires surgical assistance.
  • MARPE/MSE: mini-screw–assisted expanders anchored into the palate with 2–4 screws.
  – Dr. Amanda strongly recommends surgeon placement only, citing risks of hemorrhage and even death if placed incorrectly.
  • SARPE: Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion.
  – Performed in the OR where the palate is cut, separated, and expanded in a controlled manner.
  – Dr. Amanda has assisted in these cases and confirms they provide predictable skeletal changes when properly executed.

4. Practical Guidance for Clinicians

• Adult “expansion” that isn’t surgical = tipping only.
  • Use caution when considering appliances for adults; results may be unstable or cosmetically limited.
  • Refer surgical cases to qualified oral surgeons or orthodontists experienced in MARPE/MSE or SARPE.
  • Consider non-treatment or accepting crossbites when tipping would cause more harm than good.

Conclusion

Children can achieve true skeletal expansion easily, while adults require surgery for predictable widening. Non-surgical appliances in adults produce only tipping and often create bite complications. Proper referrals and realistic expectations ensure safe, stable outcomes in adult expansion cases.