Godeok-dong Clear Aligners Don’t Require Extraction? That’s a Misconception

Clear aligners: is this orthodontic treatment done without extracting teeth?

No, it can be done.

Hello.

I am Lee Juri, the chief director of Seoul Bardy Dental Clinic.

Isn’t clear aligner treatment only for simple orthodontic cases??

Questions like this...

I often hear them from patients who come in for a consultation about Godeok-dong clear aligners.

In fact, many people think clear aligners are orthodontic treatment that does not require extraction

and only moves the teeth a little lightly.

Because the image of a convenient orthodontic method is so strong,

people misunderstand that severe protruding teeth, protruding mouths, or asymmetry cannot be treated.

But that is only half true.

Clear aligners are just one type of orthodontic method.

They are only one of the appliances that move teeth.

To move teeth to the desired position,

it can be done with wires (brackets)

or with transparent plastic appliances.

In other words, the difference is only in the type of appliance used,

the treatment purpose is the same.

That is why extraction can be done with clear aligners,

and small screws can be placed in the gums to secure space.

230617 Elastics can also be used to pull the teeth.

Clear aligners can also be used after tooth extraction

Clear aligner treatment began in 1997.

It has already been nearly 30 years.

Even before that, they were already being used as retainers

to help prevent teeth from shifting back after orthodontic treatment.

Over the course of 30 years,

a great deal of experience and data on extraction cases has already been accumulated.

Previously, there was also the perception that transparent appliances had limitations when it came to complex tooth movement,

but thanks to recent technological advances,

tooth movement after extraction has become stably possible.

Bite correction is also possible.

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Because it is plastic,

it is understandable to think that clear aligners would feel lighter and simpler.

That perception is completely understandable.

I also understand the idea that, because they seem weaker than wires,

they probably cannot create major changes.

For these reasons,

patients often misunderstand that clear aligners

are only used for simple misalignment.

To be precise,

whether extraction is needed with clear aligners has nothing to do with the appliance itself.

Whether to extract teeth or not

is determined by the diagnosis.

If there is severe crowding and not enough space,

or if protrusion is severe,

extraction is necessary.

In other words, the treatment plan comes first,

and the appliance is only the means to carry out that plan.

250623 A case progressing with clear aligners after extraction

Clear aligners can be used for a wide range of cases

These days, the following cases can also be sufficiently treated with clear aligners:

• Improving a protruding mouth after extraction

• Asymmetry and abnormal bite

• Aligning canines or impacted teeth

• Maxillary protrusion, moderately difficult crowding

• Adjusting tooth spacing and improving overall alignment

And to achieve the desired result,

they must be worn for more than 20 hours.

Clear appliances do not move on their own~

Clear aligners are not a method that cannot be used

Clear aligners are simply a device that replaces wires,

and do not in themselves determine the limits of treatment.

The scope of treatment is determined by the patient’s dental condition, bone shape, facial skeleton, and other factors,

based on an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Clear aligners mean I don’t have to extract teeth, right??

It may still be necessary!

I hope this post has helped clear up the misconception that Godeok-dong clear aligners do not require extraction.

Thank you.

#GodeokdongClearAligners #ClearAlignerExtraction