CandidPro Attachment Philosophy
Attachments, small composite additions utilized in conjunction with clear aligners for teeth movement, often spark varied opinions among dentists. While recognized for their potential benefits by some, others perceive attachments as less favorable. It's notable that patient preference tends to lean toward treatments without attachments.
Our approach at Candid Pro prioritizes minimizing attachment usage wherever feasible. Through cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and revised protocols, we've significantly reduced the necessity for attachments. This evolution underscores our belief that attachments aren't always pivotal for successful teeth movement, aligning with updated perspectives.
What are attachments?
Attachments are small, tooth-colored blobs made of composite resin that are temporarily bonded to your teeth during clear aligner therapy. These attachments are crucial for making certain movements possible, which aligners alone might not achieve. By acting as engagers for the aligners, they allow for more precise control over tooth movement, such as rotations and translations.
When are attachments beneficial?
If the treatment involves more than 20 degrees of rotation or more than 1 millimeter of intrusion or extrusion, attachments could be beneficial.
Attachments serve several key purposes in clear aligner therapy:
Enhanced Precision: They provide specific points for the aligners to grip onto, enabling precise movements that are less predictable to achieve with aligners alone.
Increased Effectiveness: For certain tooth movements, such as rotations or vertical movements, attachments make these adjustments more predictable and effective.
Improved Alignment: They can be essential for achieving the desired results within the treatment timeframe by ensuring that forces are applied more efficiently.
Types of Attachments Used by CandidPro
CandidPro currently offers two standard types of attachments:
Vertical Attachments: These are designed to aid in significant rotational movements and extrusions.
Horizontal Attachments: These are used primarily for retention and to assist in leveling the occlusal planes.
Why can CandidPro use fewer or no attachments compared to competitors?
Answer: Candid Pro aligners are designed to minimize or even eliminate the need for attachments, which offers several advantages over competitors. Here’s a detailed explanation:
- Historical Context:
- Early Aligners: Initially, aligner therapy didn't use attachments.
- Introduction of Attachments: Over time, the use of attachments became prevalent, but they were often disliked by both patients and practitioners due to discomfort and inconvenience.
- Disadvantages of Attachments:
- Patient Discomfort: Attachments can make aligners uncomfortable when removed for eating.
- Inconvenience: Both dental staff and patients generally find attachments cumbersome and undesirable.
- Candid Pro's Straight Trim Design:
- More Tooth Surface Area: The straight trim design does not scallop around the teeth but stays about 1-1.5 millimeters above the gingival margins.
- Embrasure Surface Utilization: This design takes advantage of the embrasure surfaces of the teeth, acting like natural attachments and improving tooth movement without additional attachments.
- Better Contact: Unlike scalloped trims that can lose contact with the tooth over time, the straight trim ensures consistent contact.
- Supporting Research:
- 2012 Study on Trim Design: A study compared different trim designs and found that a straight margin cut at 2 millimeters above the gingival margin was the most effective in retaining the aligner. This design provides better retention and contact, which improves tooth movement efficiency.
- Fabrication Accuracy:
- High Precision: Candid Pro aligners are fabricated with up to 96 microns of accuracy against 3D printed models, which is over 50% more accurate than many competitors.
- Better Retention: Higher fabrication accuracy leads to better aligner retention and adherence to the tooth, enhancing the effectiveness of tooth movements without the need for additional attachments.
By utilizing a straight-trim design and ensuring high fabrication accuracy, Candid Pro aligners can achieve effective tooth movements with fewer or no attachments, offering a more comfortable and convenient experience for patients and practitioners alike.