How to Restore Teeth During Dental Aligner Treatment

Aligners is one of the most popular and effective ways of straightening teeth. But wearing aligners doesn’t mean that decay, erosion, and enamel damage can’t happen. Developing a cavity during teeth alignment treatment is a real possibility for many people and aligner patients often present with concurrent restorative needs, such as managing fractured fillings.

This can be a recipe for disaster if not handled and treated properly using the right techniques and materials. Selecting the right composite can eliminate the need for new aligners to be made as it allows you to recreate the size and shape of the restoration buy using the existing aligner. Composite selection can be key to ensuring restorative treatment does not compromise aligner fit or progress is critical to maintaining the continuity of orthodontic therapy.

Procedure

1.  Isolation and preparation: 
   • The amalgam filling and any secondary decay were investigated thoroughly, leaving sound dentine and enamel.
2. Primer application: 
   • The cavity was rinsed and dried gently.
   • SDI Stela primer was applied, gently air-thinned, and left to dry for 5 seconds.
3. Composite placement: 
   • The Stela composite (Stela capsule) was placed.
   • The aligner was used as a template to shape the occlusal and buccal anatomy. It was seated gently over the uncured composite to ensure precise contouring and alignment.
   • The aligner was left in situ for three minutes.
4. Finishing and polishing: 
   • The aligner was removed, and the restoration was refined with fine-grit burs, polishing discs and rubber polishers to achieve optimal shape and surface finish.
   • The aligner was re-seated to confirm fit and compatibility.
5. Postoperative instructions: 
   • The patient was advised to resume regular aligner wear immediately. The patient was also advised that after the aligner treatment ends, she should decide whether to crown the tooth.