Why Mild Aligner Therapy Makes Anterior Composites More Predictable

I place a lot of anterior composites in my practice—far more than porcelain. But they are some of the hardest cases to document and share because the critical decisions happen chairside. Stopping mid-procedure to take photos after every layer isn’t realistic, so I want to share a clinical tip that will help you get consistent, natural results without guessing.

This patient had healthy teeth with minor spacing, worn incisal edges and a V-shaped anterior segment. The laterals were rotated outward, the centrals tapered in and there was a concavity that created an odd negative space. None of this was dramatic, but together it disrupted harmony.

Could I have restored this with composite alone? Yes. Should I have? Probably not.

A short phase of aligner therapy allowed me to broaden the anterior arch, improve tooth position and reduce the need for compensatory composite. Once the teeth were better aligned, the concavity improved, the incisal edges became easier to manage and the restorative plan became significantly more conservative.

Mild aligner therapy is not about creating a perfect occlusion. It is about positioning teeth so restorative work becomes additive rather than corrective.

In this video, I walk through an anterior composite case and show how a mock-up combined with mild aligner therapy can completely change your approach. See how small improvements in tooth alignment simplify composite placement, reduce bulk, control reflections, and make restorations predictable and repeatable.

I also share my step-by-step process for:

• Doing a quick mock-up to visualize the final outcome before bonding

• Evaluating anatomy in monochrome to refine symmetry, embrasures and smile curves

• Using shade selection and composite handling to ensure consistent, natural color

If you place anterior composites and want to improve predictability, this clinical tip is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately.

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