Considerations for treatment of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery using clear aligners

Abstract

• Digital processes for treatment planning, and appliance fabrication, make the use of clear aligners to treat orthognathic surgery patients more feasible. • Suggestions for the systematic treatment of orthognathic surgery patients with clear aligners are reviewed. Clear aligners are an established modality for the treatment of mild-moderate orthodontic malocclusions. However, special considerations, or further adjuncts to treatment, may be necessary when treating challenging discrepancies with clear aligners. One such example is the treatment of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery to resolve dentofacial deformities. As with fixed appliances, treatment of orthognathic surgical patients using clear aligners involves very specific considerations for successful treatment planning, presurgical preparation, and postsurgical finishing and detailing. By suggesting protocols for treatment and precautions to consider, the author desires to provide the clinician with another possibility for treating this group of patients outside of fixed appliances only.