Clear aligner therapy is not simply the delivery of a sequence of removable appliances. Predictable treatment requires appropriate diagnosis, realistic case selection, an understanding of tooth-movement biomechanics, accurate clinical records, careful evaluation of the proposed digital setup and consistent clinical monitoring.
Let’s Shape Smiles provides general dentists with a structured introduction to these interconnected responsibilities. The program begins with the foundations of aligner therapy and examines how it differs from conventional orthodontics. Participants explore movement sequencing, attachments, interproximal reduction, auxiliaries and the factors that influence aligner fit, tracking and treatment predictability.
The second part connects these principles to daily clinical workflow. It covers the initial assessment, the documentation required for treatment planning, submission and review of a case in HeySmile Studio, preparation for delivery, communication of wear and care instructions, and systematic monitoring throughout treatment. Hands-on exercises on 3D models allow participants to practise attachment placement and IPR in a controlled educational setting.
The purpose of the program is to build a sound entry-level framework for clear aligner therapy and confident use of the HeySmile workflow. It does not remove the clinician’s responsibility to recognise limitations, request support and refer cases that fall outside their training or scope of practice.
Participants should hold a recognised qualification in dentistry and be legally entitled to practise within their jurisdiction. No previous experience with clear aligners is required. Fundamental knowledge of dental diagnosis, occlusion, periodontal assessment and interpretation of routine dental records is recommended. A laptop and access credentials may be required for the digital workflow component; exact technical requirements are confirmed for each edition.
Two-day certification-oriented training for dentists new to clear aligners
Comparison of conventional orthodontic treatment and clear aligner therapy
Biomechanics, sequencing and predictability of tooth movement
Case selection, indications, limitations and patient cooperation
Clinical documentation: photographs, intraoral scans and radiographic records
Digital treatment planning and structured review of the virtual setup
Attachment design, placement and hands-on practice on 3D models
IPR planning, execution and hands-on practice on 3D models
Aligner delivery, wear instructions and patient communication
Treatment monitoring, refinements and management of common complications
Guided workflow within HeySmile Studio
Ethical presentation and communication of aligner services in the dental practice
Day one establishes the biological and biomechanical basis of clear aligner therapy. Participants compare the opportunities and limitations of aligners with conventional orthodontic approaches and examine how planned movements must be sequenced. The program explains why some movements require staging, how the timing and order of movement affect predictability, and where IPR may form part of space management.
Attachments are examined as active components of force delivery rather than incidental additions. Their passive, active and pressure-producing forms, together with their number, shape, size and position, are related to the intended movement. Participants also review the contact between aligner and tooth surface, aligner adaptation, available interproximal space, movement rate, wear time, auxiliaries and patient cooperation.
Case selection is treated as a central clinical decision. Participants review which cases may be appropriate for aligner therapy, the boundaries of an introductory workflow and the importance of identifying cases that require more advanced orthodontic knowledge or referral. Trainer cases are used to connect treatment objectives, virtual planning and clinical outcomes.
Day two moves from assessment to delivery and monitoring. Participants learn how clinical photographs, accurate intraoral scans and appropriate radiographic records support diagnosis and treatment planning. Within HeySmile Studio, they follow the process of submitting a new treatment request, viewing a virtual setup, communicating modifications and approving a plan only after structured review.
That review includes the initial and final occlusion, comments, movement sequence, IPR and attachments. The program then addresses attachment placement and IPR through guided practice on 3D models, together with preparation for aligner delivery, wear schedules, patient instructions and expectations during the first weeks.
The monitoring component explains how to assess treatment progress at review appointments, recognise loss of tracking and respond to common events such as a lost attachment or a damaged or missing aligner. Refinements are discussed as part of treatment management rather than as automatic evidence of failure. The program concludes with responsible patient communication and practice-level presentation of aligner services.
This program is intended for:
