Introduction: Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) represent an essential instrument under difficult anchorage conditions, especially when the procedure is approached with an aligner technique. The objective of this paper is to describe a possible sequence of orthodontic treatment of impacted canines with aligners supported by orthodontic mini-screws.
Materials and methods: The resolution of impacted canines requires a specific clinical sequence constituted by different steps: the space creation, the surgical exposure, and the orthodontic traction (on the horizontal, vertical, and buccal direction). Following this sequence, two different clinical scenarios can be identified following the space available and the initial malocclusion. The first scenario is constituted by recreating the space for the impacted canine along with the correction of the malocclusion by means of an aligner system and then approaching the de-impaction with TADs. The second clinical scenario is related to the canine-first approach, an immediate de-impaction stage based solely on the use of TADs and sectional wires, and then a finishing phase with aligners.
Results: Both approaches to the treatment of impacted canines can be considered reliable, but of course selecting one or the other depends on the space available in the upper arch and on the initial malocclusion.
Conclusions: The use of aligners in the treatment of impacted canines in combination with TADs and sectional wires represents a viable alternative option to the conventional systems for canine disinclusion. When the treatment is managed with the presented approaches, no further cooperation with the patient is required in order to support the forced eruption, and an ideal biomechanical approach can be easily applied with one or two mini-screws.
Keywords: TADs; aligners; impacted teeth.