In recent years, aligners have become increasingly successful and are now an orthodontic tool that every orthodontist should be familiar with. The advantages in terms of convenience and hygienic maintenance are well known. However, in order to be able to treat all types of malocclusion, it becomes important to make use of skeletal anchorage, for example in cases of skeletal transverse expansion or distalization beyond a certain extent. The extent of transverse expansion in molar area is 2 mm while the extent of molar distalization does not exceed 3 mm. Skeletal anchorage allows Rapid Palate Expanders to be used even in young adults, reducing the need for surgery through SARPE (Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal expansion). By using skeletal-anchored distalizers, there is no risk of the loss of anchorage typical of traditional dento-mucosal supported distalizers. The author will show how he has integrated in his daily practice aligners and skeletal anchorage in the treatment of complex cases.


Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you will be able to understand the limits of aligners
After this lecture, you will be able to evaluate the advantages of skeletal anchorage
After this lecture, you will be able to choose the cases indicated for a combined aligner-skeletal anchorage treatment