Missing teeth are those that are absent from a patient's current dental setup. Missing teeth generally result from one of two causes: poor dental hygiene or physical injury.
Managing missing teeth can be challenging when placing and removing aligners. Unlike situations with short clinical crowns where there is minimal surface area to grasp, missing teeth provide excessive space, causing aligners to snap firmly into place and remain there, which can lead to discomfort and frustration for the patient. A single missing tooth within a dental arch typically does not pose a significant issue. For example, if a second molar is absent, our technicians can create a “bridge” that spans from the first to the third molar. This approach helps prevent the super-eruption of adjacent teeth by ensuring that the occlusal surfaces are adequately covered by the aligner. However, even with a bridge, aligners may still be difficult to remove. Treating patients with multiple missing teeth in one arch with clear aligners can be highly challenging or even unfeasible.