Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a case is better suited for braces or aligners. However, there are a few cases in which you should avoid putting in Invisalign or other non-Invisalign clear aligners. These cases either put yourself or the patient at risk, or they simply cannot be done.

Let’s discuss which cases are a “Flat Out Avoid” for providers who treat patients using aligners.


First and foremost, do not take any anterior open bite cases with Invisalign or other clear aligners. Whether the anterior open bite is large or small, or someone tells you it’s possible, avoid these cases at all costs. Just because people say it can be done doesn’t mean it should be done. The reason why these cases should be fully avoided is that they are unpredictable in nature.

Anterior open bite cases always have an underlying etiology that needs to be found. Now, this doesn’t mean that patients with anterior open bites can never get Invisalign – it’s just better to seek treatment for this issue before aligners.

Secondly, class two and class three patients should only be taken if they have their wisdom teeth out and healed. Having the wisdom teeth out and healed provides enough room to safely move the teeth around, so these patients should wait until then to receive clear aligners. You should also have a Ceph and Ceph number before starting this case.

And lastly, posterior crossbite cases in adults. You can take these cases, but you won’t be able to fix their posterior crossbite. This opens you up to having to do paperwork with the patient so that they understand risk-benefit and alternatives and that the posterior crossbite will remain even after Invisalign treatment.

We often tend to assume that tools like Invisalign are the premium solution for many different ortho needs. While this isn’t wholly untrue, it’s worth remembering that some cases are out of the norm – and this is where you’ll need to consider extra carefully whether Invisalign or clear aligners is the right option for the specific case (or not).
When Anterior Bite Turbos Don’t Work with Invisalign and Clear Aligner Cases
Anterior bite turbos should not always be used alongside Invisalign and clear aligners. While this may be enough to fix the issue in some cases, using Invisalign or other brands of clear aligners may not cut it in more severe scenarios.
Generally speaking, though anterior bite turbos can be hugely valuable for many cases, there are a few scenarios when they don’t work as well. You’ll want to take a CEPH beforehand, just to be sure; then, look out for issues such as an anterior open bite case. In this scenario, the bite turbos won’t likely have much benefit.
Moreover, it’s worth noting that ER cases need to be fixed before going any further. Periodontally treated anterior teeth, or those that feature very low crown-to-root ratios may also be a higher risk overall. In short: anything that may have damaged the tooth may render it unsuitable for anterior bite turbos.
Don’t Leave it to Chance
Unfortunately, getting a patient’s treatment plan wrong can be a hugely costly mistake for your business. However, if you need any more ideas on this, don’t hesitate to contact our team here at Straight Smile Solutions for professional guidance and support on a case-by-case basis.

Fixing Class 2 / Class 3 Mixed Dentition Cases with E Space or Leeway

When it comes to orthodontics for general dentists, one of the most often overlooked factors is how the age of the patient can impact their optimal treatment approach. However, as a professional dental consultant team, we here at Straight Smile Solutions are on hand to help you learn more about how to approach and fix mild class 2 or 3 cases in mixed dentition patients with leeway or e space.
When Can Class 2 and 3 Cases Be Fixed Through E Space or Leeway?
If you notice that a mixed dentition patient has a small amount of overjet in their bite, failing to take action to resolve this challenge may result in the patient struggling overall.
When premolars come in after losing the E teeth, the size difference can have numerous challenges for patients. This results in a leeway space differential – otherwise known as the e space differential. This usually accounts for around 1.5mm to 2mm per tooth.
In many cases, this can resolve itself naturally. However, if you find that you’re struggling with a slight class 2, adding an anchorage on the top of the molars can make a significant difference. This serves to brace the teeth, preventing sliding and roughly creating around 1.5mm of extra space.
With slight class 3 cases, the optimal treatment plan for a dentist consultant to try is to put a lingual arch, which allows a little more room around the lower 5s. Down the line, you may be able to also use this with braces if needed to finish the full case.
However, before taking any steps, it can be valuable to take a CEPH first to ensure this is the right treatment approach for your patient – for example, check that they’re not going to need maxillary advancement.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, working out when a dental consultant can fix class 2 and class 3 cases using e space or leeway isn’t always easy. However, as a general rule of thumb, these cases are usually possible when a patient is between nine and ten years of age.

Long, dolichocephalic faces with backwards and downwards growth are unique facial structures characterized by a long, narrow skull and jaw positioned further back and lower than normal. This facial structure can lead to orthodontic issues such as overcrowding, overbite, and misaligned teeth. Invisalign or clear aligners are popular orthodontic treatment options for individuals with this type of facial structure. They can effectively address these issues without the need for traditional metal braces.

Before beginning orthodontic treatment on patients with long faces, evaluating and addressing any airway issues is crucial. This can be achieved through an evaluation by an ENT (medical specialty focused on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders related to the ears, nose, and throat, as well as related structures of the head and neck) or OMT specialist (Osteopathic Manipulation Treatment (OMT) is a manual therapy technique used by osteopathic physicians to diagnose and treat various musculoskeletal and other medical conditions.) and potential treatment of tonsils, adenoids, or tongue release. The airway is the foundation of treatment, especially for growing patients.

Invisalign is the preferred modality for treatment planning for long-faced patients due to its intrusive effects on molars, which can decrease the length of the face more effectively than braces.

The first step in treating a long face is to remove the third molars, which can help slide things back and decrease the face’s length with the help of the jaw’s hinge effect. Avoid taking out premolars unnecessarily. This can improve outcomes while also preserving healthy teeth.
Conclusion
Before starting treatment on long-faced patients, it’s important to evaluate and address any airway issues, use Invisalign for treatment planning, and remove third molars before considering premolar removal. An ENT and OMT evaluation should be conducted before treatment begins.

In many cases, it’s not always clear how labio-lingual inclination can impact overall periodontal health. With this thought in mind, today, we’re briefly looking at some of the key things you need to know in this regard to help you find the most suitable orthodontics treatment plan for your patient’s recovery.

What is Labio-Lingual Inclination?

Labio-lingual inclination is a tendency toward a specific tooth arrangement in the mouth that can significantly impact the daily lives of many orthodontics patients. Variable tooth angles can often have a significant impact in this regard.

How Can Labio-Lingual Inclination Impact Periodontal Health?

Labio-lingual inclination can, unfortunately, have a significant impact on periodontal health in many orthodontics patients. Notably, such teeth typically tend to show greater mobility and deeper probing depths. Thus, this can make the prognosis for such teeth much lesser than for regular structures.

Luckily, orthodontics treatment plan options can help with the overall periodontal health of the patient. But don’t panic; if you need any further support in creating an effective treatment plan for these cases, get in touch with our experts here at Straight Smile Solutions today to see how we can help you and your patient get the best possible orthodontics results overall!

Using fixed appliances to correct bites in mixed dentition can effectively achieve proper dental alignment and improve oral health. Fixed appliances like braces are commonly used to straighten teeth and correct bite issues. These appliances consist of brackets attached to the teeth and connected by archwires that apply gentle pressure to the teeth, gradually moving them into their correct positions over time.

Mixed dentition refers to a child’s dental development period when they have both primary (baby) and permanent teeth. This typically occurs between the ages of six and twelve. During this time, children may develop bite problems, such as an overbite or underbite, that require orthodontic treatment.

Fixed appliances, such as braces, are often used to correct bite problems in mixed dentition. When using fixed appliances in mixed dentition, it’s important to consider the child’s ongoing dental development. This means that the orthodontist must carefully plan the timing of the treatment to ensure that it does not interfere with the eruption of permanent teeth.

Children with mixed dentition may have a greater risk of tooth decay and gum disease due to the presence of both primary and permanent teeth. Therefore, maintain good oral hygiene habits throughout the treatment process.

Fixed appliances can effectively correct bite problems in mixed dentition but require careful planning and maintenance to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Conclusion

Screening patients for interceptive orthodontics at a young age is recommended before it becomes too late to make a difference. There are some easy and affordable interceptive techniques that can be used to improve orthodontic health and future outcomes, such as the nance appliance and the anterior bite plate. The Nance appliance is a space maintainer that can also help correct class 2 malocclusion and hold teeth back from sliding forward, while the anterior bite plate is used to correct a deep bite. Both appliances can be easily inserted and monitored to help patients without requiring extensive braces or aligners.

One of the most beneficial aspects of Invisalign is the Invisalign Virtual Care Workflow, which can help providers save money and time when treating Invisalign clients. However, many providers are unaware of this helpful resource.

Let’s discuss how to use the Invisalign Virtual Care Workflow, how it can improve your workflow as a provider, and how it can even help you make more money as a provider of Invisalign aligner treatments.


There can be a high lab fee for Invisalign, but the Virtual Care Workflow can reduce the chair time you need to spend with patients. Patients that a virtual care experience will work for include those that are tech-savvy and willing to undergo their treatment in this way. You may also consider raising prices on in-person appointments or lowering prices on virtual care to incentivize using the Invisalign virtual plan.

Invisalign Virtual Care is a great tool for keeping everything in one place regarding patient care. It works as an app to streamline the interactions between patient and provider. The patient signs up just as you will. The patient then will download an app, and they will take photos of their progress and upload them to the app, typically weekly.

Providers get updates once a week for their patient’s care, which allows them to check in on the status of the aligners without having the patient come into the office. You can then comment on the photos according to the next step. If you would like to see the patient in person to discuss a concern you see in the images, you can do so, or you can sign off on the next set of aligners.

If you aren’t a fan of switching to virtual care, at the very least, the virtual care options from Invisalign are a great resource for patients who might be traveling or are otherwise unable to come in for a visit.

As an orthodontist, you need to consider a lot of different factors when creating a treatment plan for your patients. Of course, your final decision must always be made on which option is best suited to the patient’s lifestyle and preferences. However, it’s still worth keeping in mind which treatment is more profitable – Invisalign vs braces – to help you decide how to steer your treatment approach overall.

Invisalign vs Braces – Which is More Profitable?

It’s not immediately clear whether braces or Invisalign are more profitable for dentists, but it is important to ensure that your dental clinic has effective solutions to make money.

Overall, Invisalign tends to be a more profitable solution for dentists than braces. Indeed, braces usually make around half the hourly rate of Invisalign cases. In line with this, it’s perhaps unsurprising that some dentists may try to push Invisalign – however, remember that not every patient will need Invisalign.

Even when you consider the reduced fees associated with fitting braces vs Invisalign’s lab costs, Invisalign still tends to be more profitable per hour than braces. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that cases needing frequent revisions and checking may be less profitable overall. This is also true when you consider the different rates charged for Invisalign orthodontists compared to regular orthodontists.

Find the Ideal Solutions for your Patient’s Treatment Plan Today

It’s not always clear which option – Invisalign vs braces – could work best for your patient’s needs, and keeping this in mind could definitely help influence your final decision on the most appropriate method. Of course, for the most part, X is more profitable as a treatment plan.

However, it’s critical to keep in mind that you should never choose a treatment plan based solely on profitability. Indeed, both Invisalign and braces can offer perks and drawbacks. As such, if you need help choosing the ideal treatment plan for your patients, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team here at Straight Smile Solutions for your dental consultation package.

Invisalign for Athletes: Is it Safer Than Braces?

Athletes lead a busy lifestyle, which comes with numerous risks of getting hurt – taking a ball to the face or falling over at high speeds. However, if you have been looking to treat an athlete, you’ll need to consider carefully whether Invisalign or braces would be more appropriate for their needs.
To this end, today, we’ve outlined some of the key things you need to know about Invisalign for athletes and why it might be a better bet overall. After all, as a dentist, it’s important to consider the key features of each treatment to see if it matches the patient’s lifestyle.
Is Invisalign Safer for Athletes?
Is Invisalign safer for athletes? There are several potential reasons why Invisalign may be safer for athletes who regularly engage in sports that may be considered more dangerous. Ball sports, in particular, are especially important here. Sports where injuries are less common, such as swimming, may not be as much of a concern.
It’s firstly important to keep in mind that Invisalign can help support the teeth themselves in the case of an impact. This reduces the chances of the teeth getting dislodged or knocked out by the process of getting injured.
However, wearing Invisalign rather than braces can more commonly be important for preventing lacerations. Braces could potentially place additional pressure on the lip during an impact (such as being hit by a fast-moving ball or bat), potentially causing more severe lacerations – and these can be substantially more painful than the injury would normally be.
Final Thoughts
Invisalign can be an excellent tool for athletes, and this highlights the importance of knowing a patient’s history and hobbies. With this thought in mind, if you know your patient’s history and hobbies, taking steps to reduce their chances of getting hurt on their braces is integral.
After all, sports can be great fun, but they can also be dangerous. In line with this, if your patient is a regular sports player, you may want to consider using Invisalign rather than braces.

Understanding Standards of Care and Progress Records with Invisalign

When it comes to your Invisalign patients, ensuring you’ve got suitable solutions in place is critical for the overall success of your patients’ treatment plans. In line with this, ensuring you keep a close eye on your Invisalign patients’ before and after results is a crucial part of your consulting service – and progress records play a vital role in this.
The Importance of Progress Records
Progress records are hugely important but often overlooked as part of the Invisalign before and after process during dental consulting sessions. Indeed, progress records and standards of care can potentially tie in with each other, and these are critical to ensure the patient gets good services.
You’ll likely want to update your ortho progress records every twelve months, at least, to ensure you’re meeting the necessary standard of care. Check with your local legislation to ensure you are on the right track with this; every region has different requirements.
Don’t Set Yourself Up for Liability
Unfortunately, there’s more to a case than just taking before and after photos and creating the basic standard of care. To minimize your liability, you may want to take progress photos at every appointment; ideally, if your patients are using virtual monitoring solutions, you could also use these records to back up your cases.
Moreover, you’ll also want to consider taking a pano to further back up your progress records, especially for cases over 12 months or if you’re working on invasive cases, such as extractions.
Ensure Good Records to Reduce Your Risk
Every state, country, and region is unique, and so the specific requirements you’ll need to complete to stay on the right side of the law while providing medical support is crucial.
Of course, this brief guide can’t look into the specific requirements of each individual location; nevertheless, the importance of taking good Invisalign before and after records cannot be stressed highly enough. You can’t always rely on a scan, FM, or pano alone; this may not meet the necessary standard of care, and so taking steps to tackle this is crucial. Make sure you contact your liability insurance provider for specific support in this regard.