The initial consultation is the first link in the chain of orthodontic treatment with aligners. While many elements are identical to a general dentistry consultation, some are specific. They are essential for correctly indicating the treatment, assessing its difficulty, and giving patients the information they need to maximize results.
First consultation checklist
To help you integrate aligner treatments into your practice with peace of mind, we’ve put together a checklist of clinical elements to observe. Here’s our advice:
1. Reason for consultation
The reason for consultation is very important to note, as it will guide the treatment plan: it may be aesthetic, functional or both.
When the reason is aesthetic, the rule is simple. Let the patient express themselves, guiding them with open-ended questions such as: “What do you dislike about your smile? These questions will give you a better idea of their expectations, and maximize their satisfaction at the end of treatment.
2. Examination of oral health, function and esthetics
These elements are common to general dentistry consultations. They should not be neglected, as certain pathologies may contraindicate treatment with aligners. For example:
- Untreated cavities;
- Unstabilized periodontal disease;
- Certain bone pathologies or medical treatments may hinder orthodontic tooth movement…
3. Evaluate the difficulty of a case
When starting out with aligner orthodontics, it’s best to start with cases of simple or moderate difficulty. We recommend that you refer complex cases to your referring orthodontist. If you’re not yet comfortable with assessing the difficulty of cases, we suggest :
- Write to us! The difficulty and predictability of aligners are two of the topics covered in the first introductory course to orthodontics with aligners. If you haven’t yet been trained, please contact us.
- To read us! We’re preparing a comprehensive briefing note on assessing case difficulty. Don’t miss our next email.
- Ask us! Submit your case in our AF Setup software – it’s free and non-binding. The Aligneurs Français orthodontists who create the treatment plans will alert you to any cases presenting difficulties.
4. Explain treatment methods to the patient
- The patient must wear his aligners 22 hours a day.
- He only takes them off to eat, or to drink (except water).
- He has to change them every 15 days.
If you are able to estimate the duration of treatment, it is always useful to inform the patient of this at the first appointment.
Finally, we explain to the patient the next stage of his or her appointments at the clinic: orthodontic check-up (dental impressions, X-rays and photos), validation of the 3D model, fitting of cleats/stripping and delivery of aligners, follow-up appointments and restorations.
Now you know everything about the first invisible orthodontic consultation. If you’d like personalized advice for your practice, contact our clinical specialists. They’ll be delighted to help!
