Aligner Techniques in Orthodontics. Susana Palma Moya

      Preface

      I started to work with aligners in 2001 and immediatly I realized that they had a huge potential. It was easy for me to get familiar with the whole idea because I used to work with dental positioners at that time. In contrast, most of my colleagues were quite skeptical and did not consider aligners as a real orthodontic system.

      Reviewing the literature we can see how the possibilities of the aligners have increased over the years. In 2001, there were limited tools available to solve mild crowded Class I malocclusions; however, several years after, we started to speak about extraction cases, Class II malocclusions, and open bites, which were treated more successfully each time. This situation was due to two factors: on the one hand, the continuous feedback the manufacturers use to make constant improvements, and on the other hand, the tremendous effort by many orthdontists who have been triyng to understand and explain what we call “the plastic biomechanics.” Therefore, the perception of using the aligners as an effective orthodontic method is improving due to the irrefutable fact that the results are getting better and better and, in many cases, they overtake the outcomes achieved by conventional orthodontics.

      We are only beginning to understand how the aligners move teeth, and the learning curve is slower than we thought. Those are the reasons why their effectiveness is indisputably attached to academic training and experience. The professionals with greater knowledge and greater number of treated cases will achieve better results. This is no surprise as this is what happens when a new technique is introduced.

      For all these reasons, as professionals, we are the ones who still establish our treatment goals. Aesthetics and the patient’s comfort should not conflict with the quality of the treatment results. This means that in quite a few situations, we need to use auxiliary techniques to complement the aligners deficiencies. It also means on the part of the practitioner a greater effort and dedication than usual to the occlusal and functional treatment finishing, and especially to training. I understand that leaving the comfort zone is not easy for those who have been treating patients the same way their whole life. This is where Dr. Palma and Dr. Lozano are absolutely exactly correct. This book fills a gap in our interpretation of the orthodontic movement with aligners. It offers a great number of essential keys to the understanding of the aligners biomechanics. It is the right publication at the right moment, with guides to treat different malocclusions with confidence, predictability, and quality. Following their solid biomechanics knowledge and experience‐based advice, the reader will be introduced to the treatment of more and more difficult cases, always keeping the traditional occlusal standards.

The book covers all the different malocclusions from the easiest mild crowding cases to the complex pre‐prosthetic treatments. It is written like an atlas, with specific cases fully explained step by step. The reader will also find an innovative and attractive video format of each treatment. For all these reasons, this book is a wonderful and easy tool for references suitable for beginners, but also for orthodontists well trained in aligners. Moreover, for the skeptical ones, the book, at least, will peak their curiosity. Is it really possible to perform a good quality orthodontics with aligners? This book will provide answers, and without doubt, many arguments for discussion.

      We are at the beginning of a new technique. Previous and complete case planification through a powerful software has radically changed the way we work. This means we have to go back to school, but we have never had so many possibilities to train ourselves like today. In this way, the professional is able to become as competent as he or she wishes. However, it seems that some things never change; and I do not just mean the huge reluctance to accept new concepts or techniques (that is really frequent in our profession), I also mean the small percentage of people such as Dr. Palma and Dr. Lozano, whose great desire for self‐improvement and progress gives as a result the finding of new knowledge. The knowledge that they generously share serves as an example and guide for many people.

       Dr. Arturo Vela Hernandez