Overview: Review the recommended products and clinical materials required to successfully implement Clear Aligner workflows at your practice.
Learn more about ortho records best practices in our article and video: How to take Clinical Photos for Your Aligner Case
Interproximal Reduction (IPR) Materials
Interproximal Reduction (IPR) requires specific diamond tools to create necessary space for tooth movement.
Diamond Strips
Use diamond strips to perform IPR in small, incremental amounts of 0.2mm or less.
Diamond Strip thickness: 0.1mm.
Clinician Tip: Fold the 0.1mm diamond strip in half to achieve 0.2mm of reduction.
Mosquito Burs
Mosquito burs allow clinicians to perform IPR in larger amounts.
Bur diameter: Approximately 0.3mm.
Usage: Use mosquito burs for IPR requirements between 0.3mm and 0.5mm.
Christmas Tree Burs
Use Christmas tree burs to contour line angles during the IPR process.
IPR Gauges
Use an IPR gauge to measure and verify the exact amount of interproximal reduction performed during the procedure.
Aligner Attachment Placement
Clinicians require specific bonding agents and instruments to successfully place clear aligner attachments.
Required Instruments
The practice must provide the following standard dental instruments:
Mirror, explorer, and scaler.
Etch and bonding agent.
Cotton rolls and micro brushes.
Curing light.
Flame tip or football polishing bur for flash removal.
NOLA Dry Field Systems
Dandy highly recommends the NOLA Dry Field System for attachment placement to ensure proper isolation.
Clinician Tip: Use the NOLA system to maintain a dry field for bonding; this reduces the risk of attachment bond failures.
Bonding Agents and Composites
Assure Plus: A universal bonding agent considered the industry standard for attachment placement.
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Shofu Beautifil Flow Plus: A flowable composite used for attachments.
Clinician Tip: Place the syringe tip deep into the template well so the composite flows from the inside out to prevent air bubbles. Always slightly overfill wells to account for composite shrinkage.
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3M Transbond: A paste material used for both attachments and bonding lingual retainers.
Clinician Tip: Pack 3M Transbond paste into the template wells rather than flowing it.
Attachment Removal Tools
Use the following burs to safely remove attachments after treatment completion:
Carbide Finishing Bur.
Debonding Finishing Bur.
Dimple Pliers for Tooth Movement
Dimple pliers assist in tooth movements that are not progressing as planned.
Vertical Dimple Plier: Used to facilitate tooth rotations.
Horizontal Dimple Plier: Used for tipping, torquing, and moving teeth in or out.
Tear Drop Plier: Used to create a slit in the aligner for rubber band attachment.
Hole Punch Plier: Used to create a hole in the aligner for bonding buttons or brackets directly to the tooth.
Dimple Removing Plier: Used to remove a previously placed dimple from an aligner.
Orthodontic Record Materials
Accurate intraoral and extraoral images are required for orthodontic case submission.
Extraoral Photography
Backdrop: Use a solid white or black backdrop. Ensure the area is free of artifacts like soap dispensers or wall art.
Stool or Platform: Use a step stool to ensure the patient and photographer remain at eye level regardless of height differences.
Intraoral Photography
Smartphone Photography Kit: Use a kit with a macro lens and ring flash to transform a mobile phone into a clinical camera.
Cheek Retractors: Use standard or occlusal cheek retractors to move lips and cheeks out of the frame.
Intraoral Mirrors: Use glass intraoral mirrors for occlusal photos to ensure high light reflection and scratch resistance.
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