CAD/CAM - international magazine of digital dentistry

30 I I case report _ CAD/CAM aligners _Using CAD/CAM technology to produce a series of clear plastic overlays is an aestheti- cally agreeable solution for space manage- ment. Initially, the use of aligners was restricted to treating minor orthodontic cases only,1 but the improvement in aligner manufacturing in the last five years has allowed us to use alig- ners in a variety of malocclusion situations today.2 Recently, successful outcomes have been re- ported with aligner treatment for more complex malocclusion.3 In the following article, I present three such cases from my private practice. _Case I: Space adjustment after extraction for implant placement Diagnosis This case was referred to me by a colleague. The main requirement of my colleague and his patient was space adjustment. Clinicalexaminationrevealedaspaceof3mm between the lower right lateral incisor and the lower right canine; a suspended bridge consist- ing of an abutment over the lower right second molar; a pontic for the lower first right molar, which was very small in size; and an occlusal rest on the second lower right premolar (Fig. 1). Treatment objectives Our objective was to close the spaces in the lower arch except the space of the missing lower right first molar, which would be increased. In planning the treatment, CAD/CAM technology was utilised (Fig. 2). Treatment plan The treatment plan was to remove the old bridgeandmovethelowerrightcanine,firstpre- CAD/CAM 2_2012 Fig. 2Fig. 1 Fig. 3 Table I_Teeth movement records for case 1. Space management in adults using CAD/CAM aligners— Three case reports Author_ Dr Khaled Abouseada, Saudi Arabia Table I