A discrepancy between the aligner and the posterior tooth can occur during clear aligner orthodontic treatment. This issue manifests as a lack of complete seating of the plastic appliance onto the rearmost tooth in the dental arch. For example, the aligner may fit snugly over the front teeth but exhibit a visible gap or fail to fully engage with the cusps of the last molar.
Achieving a precise fit of the aligner is crucial for successful tooth movement. When the appliance does not properly engage the molar, the intended forces are not delivered effectively, potentially leading to stalled treatment progress, unpredictable outcomes, and the need for refinements. Historically, such discrepancies often required manual adjustments to the aligner or, in some cases, a remake of the appliance, adding to treatment time and cost.
