FORMAT
The Clear Aligners course is available online via our eClass platform and is in a self-paced, self-study format (no in-person attendance required). Following completion of the online eClass component, this course culminates with a live, synchronous online, limited attendance presentation session, which each participant must attend. This format provides the opportunity for participants to bring their own cases to discuss with the instructors and their peers. The in-depth, personalized sessions, which will be in a one-on-one "grand rounds" format for participant case presentations, will be scheduled on a first come-first-served basis on designated evenings as deemed necessary (dates and times TBA within eClass).
This comprehensive course series offers a thorough exploration of clear aligners, equipping participants with the necessary skills to incorporate clear aligner treatment into their general dental practice. The course delves into various essential aspects, commencing with foundational knowledge such as diagnosis and treatment planning, aligner biomechanics, aligner design, case selection, and the techniques involved in capturing traditional impressions and digital scans for orthodontic aligners.
The course encompasses a wide range of clinical procedures, including aligner delivery, attachment bonding, interproximal reduction, and attachment removal for retention purposes. Participants will benefit from a step-by-step video catalog, showcasing these clinical procedures in detail. The learning approach is designed to be progressive, allowing participants to steadily accumulate knowledge and enhance their confidence in providing aligner therapy.
In addition to the clinical aspects, the course also addresses innovative marketing strategies aimed at expanding one's clear aligner practice. Participants will gain insights into effective marketing techniques that can contribute to the growth and success of their clear aligner practice.
Learning Objectives
- Understand basic principles of orthodontic tooth movement and clear aligner therapy
- Exposure to orthodontic records necessary for ordering clear aligners
- Acquire knowledge and confidence in photography necessary to begin clear aligner treatment
- Exposure to utilizing digital software in a treatment plan for clear aligner therapy and the digital workflow
- Become knowledgeable with the clinical procedures for bonding engagers and interproximal reduction
- Understand the principles, theory, and procedures of intraoral optical scanning technology
- Exposure to information on the incorporation of the digital flow into daily practice
- Discuss business skills needed to implement aligner therapy in the office
- Develop judgment regarding case complexity - indications and contraindications to consider
Presenters:
James Mah, DDS, MSc, DMSc
Melissa Shotell, DMD, MS
The Series
Course material is presented in three parts to allow clinicians to gradually advance toward the treatment of more complex cases. Select portions of the course are offered to Dental Assistants and Hygienists to allow for whole office education in clear aligners with the overall goal of providing aligner therapy as an office team. Following each session, online Grand Rounds will be conducted to allow participants opportunities to present and discuss their cases as well as learn from others. The case competency requirement of six cases after each part allows participants to learn in a mentored environment. Participants can discuss, troubleshoot and otherwise interact with Faculty regarding their aligner patients and experiences.
CONTINUED GRAND ROUNDS
Although there is no case competency requirement following completion, we recognize that there is much learning ahead for participants to achieve a high level of confidence and competency to provide aligner therapy. Accordingly, the course provides continual mentoring and case discussion for participants to engage in a Grand Rounds format and benefit from case presentations from other participants, troubleshooting, and working through case complexities. Clinicians will find tremendous value in continued participation in Grand Rounds to assist their management and case setups in comparison to commercially available treatment planning services.
Safe Start to Clear Aligners
20* CE Credits
*This number is an estimate. Your regulatory body will issue the credits.
The first part of this series provides essential fundamental information regarding orthodontic aligner therapy with the ultimate goal of preparing participants to start providing aligner treatments for mild crowding. The comprehensive list of topics covers all aspects of patient records, clinical examination, photography, impressions, and others to provide a broad education for the general dentist and office team to embark on their clear aligner care journey.
Topics covered in part one includes:
- History and Evolution of Aligners
- Introduction to Clear Aligner Basics and Terminology
- Goals of Clear Aligner Therapy
- Identify Clear Aligner Cases in Practice
- Fundamentals of Diagnosis and Treatment Planning – Patient Exam
- Model Analysis and Bolton Estimation
- Record Taking for Clear Aligner Treatment – Overview
- Clinical Photography for Clear Aligners
- Making Impressions for Clear Aligners – Traditional and Digital
- 2-Phase Impressions for Clear Aligners
- Digital Techniques for Clear Aligners
- Delivering the First Set of Aligners and Homecare
- Attachments: Use and Placement
- Interproximal Reduction (IPR)
Topics covered in part two includes:
- Basic Cephalometric Analysis and Interpretation
- Basic Aligner Biomechanics
- Biology of Tooth Movement
- Treatment Staging
- Presenting Treatment Options
- Monitoring Treatment Progress and Troubleshooting
- Refinement, Revision, and Midcourse Corrections
- Evaluating Treatment Completion
- Treatment Completion: Removing Attachments and Retention Techniques
- 7-Steps to Increasing Aligner Case Flow
The case competency requirement of six cases allows participants to learn in a mentored environment. Participants can discuss, troubleshoot and otherwise interact with Faculty regarding their aligner patients and experiences. Following the completion and documentation of six cases, participants are eligible to receive a certificate of completion in Clear Aligners and to move onto the advanced applications of Clear Aligners.
Malocclusion involving extractions and/or a skeletal component - More information to come
Following the completion and documentation of six additional cases involving additional complexity, participants are eligible to advance in this series. In the former, higher-level aligner biomechanics, approaches to managing skeletal malocclusions (Class II/Class III/vertical), advanced treatment staging, pre-aligner appliances, and other topics will be covered. The ultimate goal is to provide participants with the necessary background information to treat more complex malocclusions.
Advanced Aligner Biomechanics
- Skeletal malocclusion - Class II/III
- Treatment Staging
- Space closure
- Advanced use of auxiliary biomechanics
- Pre-aligner appliances
- Teen treatments
In-house aligner fabrication - More information to come
The course content covers the steps to perform in-house aligner fabrication. Key steps of modeling, creating treatment setups, 3-D printing, thermoforming, aligner material selection, and others will be covered. The goal is to prepare an office to manufacture aligners for their patients.
Refund policy
No refunds will be issued within 48 hours before the starting date of the course. If a refund is requested it is subject to a cancellation fee, which is 20% of the course cost ($99). Notice of withdrawal/cancellation of your registration must be provided in an email for a refund to be processed. Refunds will not be issued once registration is confirmed and course material, if any, has been emailed out, or after the start date of the course. Dates are subject to change and are based on enrollment numbers.