Auxiliaries of Clear Aligner Therapy

Abstract

Background: clear Aligner Therapy (CAT) has transformed orthodontic treatment by offering a comfortable, discreet, and removable alternative to traditional braces. Initially designed for minor tooth movements, but has expanded its reach thanks to the integration of various auxiliaries and advancements in biomechanics. The objective of this paper is to review the most essential auxiliaries that enhance its efficacy, control, and predictability.

Methods: an overall search was carried out over multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and SciELO, to identify literature on auxiliaries used in orthodontic clear aligner therapy published between 2000 and 2025. In addition, pertinent chapters from leading publications on invisible orthodontics discussing clear aligner therapy were included.

Results: to share the input collected from the scientific literature, the authors developed the following sections to structure the content: definition and types of auxiliaries, location of auxiliaries, function of auxiliaries, comparison between types and the role of each auxiliary.

Also, there are subdivisions in some sections to be explained more deeply in that subject matter.

Conclusion: CAT has been improved by using auxiliaries for better results with less relapse, like brackets, power ridges, elastics, TADs, and MARPE. The orthodontist selects the appropriate type according to each case to get better anchorage, especially in complicated orthodontic cases.