Finishing a Switch from Clippy C to Invisalign in Orthodontic Treatment: Invisalign Lite Treatment Period of 4 Months

Hello,

This is the Apgujeong Invisalign Dental Clinic.

While undergoing bracket-and-wire orthodontic treatment, it is sometimes necessary to remove the appliance if an MRI of the head and neck is needed for other health issues. Today, I’d like to introduce a case in which the appliance was removed for this reason, and the remaining orthodontic finishing was completed with Invisalign.

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This patient visited us in February after having already undergone 2 years and 10 months of Clippy C extraction orthodontic treatment at another clinic.

During treatment, they needed to undergo MRI scans of the head area multiple times, so they wanted to finish treatment with Invisalign.

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Since the treatment period had already reached 2 years and 10 months, this was the finishing stage of orthodontic treatment.

However, the X-ray showed areas where the tooth roots were not parallel.

If the roots are touching, the extraction space does not close well, and it is also not desirable in several ways.

Although tooth roots are not visible, aligning them in parallel is better for the patient in the long term.

The patient had asked the clinic that had been providing orthodontic treatment to switch the treatment method to Invisalign and finish it because of MRI scans. However, the original clinic refused, saying that extraction orthodontic treatment could never be done because Invisalign cannot move roots. In the end, the patient was left unable to complete treatment and had to change clinics.

We recommended Invisalign Lite with the goals of closing the remaining space, improving the root angulation, and improving the midline.

This is immediately after removing the Clippy C appliance to make the Invisalign appliance.

25.02

The still-misaligned midline would naturally improve once the remaining space was closed.

The lateral incisor indicated by the blue arrow, which had shown a tilted tooth axis on the X-ray earlier, appears protruded and tilted.

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This is the appearance after wearing all 14 Invisalign appliances from March 2025 to June 2025.

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The midline is well aligned,

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and the remaining extraction space has also disappeared neatly.

Invisalign Lite allows one additional appliance fabrication opportunity, but because the progress was good, treatment was completed without remaking the aligners.

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The lateral incisor that had looked tilted regained symmetry,

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and the bite improved compared with the beginning.

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Now, let’s look at the before-and-after comparison.

The total treatment period was 4 months.

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Not only the molar bite, but also the front tooth bite became tighter.

Now let’s look at the facial changes.

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As the remaining space disappeared, the protrusion of the upper teeth improved.

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The canine and premolar roots that had been stuck together within the bone finally moved away from each other and found proper alignment after 4 months of orthodontic treatment.

Sometimes patients ask about incorrect information such as, "I heard Invisalign can’t move roots."

I hope today’s post is helpful.

Thank you.