Power arms as adjuncts for root control in lower incisor extraction treatment with clear aligners: A case report

Abstract

Background:

Clear aligner therapy (CAT) has become a popular choice among patients seeking orthodontic treatment. However, CAT is not optimal for certain types of tooth movements. This case report illustrates a hybrid approach combining CAT with power arms to achieve controlled space closure after lower incisor extraction.

Case presentation:

A fit and healthy man presented with a Class 1 malocclusion on a Class 1 skeletal base with bimaxillary protrusion, slightly increased vertical proportions, and mild crowding in the upper and lower arches. He was concerned about his ‘irregular lower front teeth and inability to clean them’.

Intervention:

Lower incisor extraction treated with clear aligner therapy (CAT).

Results:

The patient’s malocclusion was successfully treated with CAT and the extraction of a lower incisor, achieving satisfactory root parallelism for the teeth adjacent to the extraction space. The patient reported satisfaction with the treatment results.

Conclusion:

Power arms can be considered a useful adjunct to CAT for minimising unwanted tipping in lower incisor extraction cases. Further research on more complex cases and a larger sample size is warranted to validate the findings of this case report and explore long-term stability.