Develop the confidence to treat more aligner cases
Whether you are completely new to clear aligner therapy or already treating cases and want to progress to more advanced treatment, this comprehensive six-day programme provides a structured pathway through modern aligner therapy.
Beginning with the fundamentals of orthodontic assessment, diagnosis and case selection, the programme progresses through biomechanics, advanced Shape Memory Aligner Technology, complex treatment planning, troubleshooting and multidisciplinary care.
By the end of the programme, delegates will have developed the knowledge and practical skills to progress from their first aligner case through to more complex multidisciplinary cases.
Start Date:
03/10/2026
End Date:
22/05/2027
Location:
Sheffield
Designed for general dentists with little or no aligner experience.
Build the clinical foundations needed to assess patients correctly, select appropriate cases and confidently begin treating with clear aligners.
Topics include:
Orthodontic assessment and records
Diagnosis, problem lists and treatment aims
Biology of orthodontic tooth movement
Case selection and treatment limitations
Patient consent
Introduction to Shape Memory Technology
CThru Elite workflow
Digital scanning
Space analysis
Attachments versus attachment-free mechanics
Idealistic versus realistic treatment planning
Hands-on learning
Digital treatment planning
Reviewing CThru Review
Live scanning demonstration
A key objective of Day 1 is to give delegates the knowledge and confidence to submit their first CThru Elite case.
Building upon Day 1, this course develops a deeper understanding of diagnosis, biomechanics and the individual tooth movements required for predictable clear aligner treatment.
Diagnosis
Facial analysis
Smile analysis
Occlusion
Cephalometrics for aligner clinicians
Treatment Planning & Mechanics
IPR
Expansion
Rotation
Intrusion
Extrusion
Torque
Anchorage
Retention
Staging
Biological limits
Shape Memory mechanics
Hands-on learning
Planning real cases
Interactive treatment planning
Designed for clinicians progressing beyond their initial aligner cases and looking to manage a broader range of malocclusions.
Clinical topics include:
Class II correction
Class III correction
Crossbites
Open bites
Deep bites
Crowding
Spacing
Midline correction
Arch coordination
Advanced Aligner Mechanics
Precision bite ramps
Hooks
Buttons
Printed bite planes
Printed bite blocks
Elastic protocols
Clinical Workshops
Managing difficult tooth movements
Reducing refinements
Troubleshooting aligner cases
Develop a more sophisticated understanding of aligner biomechanics and explore how Shape Memory Technology can be incorporated into advanced treatment planning.
Topics include:
Predictable biomechanics
Root control
Vertical control
Posterior intrusion
Anterior intrusion
Molar distalisation
Sequential movement
Managing extraction cases
Shape Memory Masterclass
Daily force reactivation
Variable thickness mechanics
Understanding force decay
Programming tooth movement
Strategies for reducing aligner numbers
For experienced aligner providers looking to integrate orthodontic treatment into more complex restorative, periodontal and interdisciplinary cases.
Topics include:
Ortho-restorative treatment
Ortho-perio cases
Multidisciplinary treatment planning
Hybrid approaches to tooth movement
Miniscrews
Fixed labial appliances
Lingual appliances
Interdisciplinary communication
This day explores when aligners alone may not provide the optimal solution and how different orthodontic and restorative techniques can be combined to achieve the treatment objective.
The final day brings together the clinical principles covered throughout the programme while addressing some of the challenges encountered in everyday aligner practice.
Topics include:
Complication management
Understanding failed cases
Refinements
Clinical troubleshooting
Practice workflow
Patient communication
Marketing aligner treatment
Business growth
The aim is not simply to plan aligner cases, but to develop a predictable and efficient approach to incorporating clear aligner treatment into everyday clinical practice.
Dr Ian Hutchinson is a highly experienced Specialist Orthodontist with over 30 years in the dental profession.
A graduate of Newcastle University and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Dr Hutchinson completed his specialist orthodontic training in Bristol before founding The Smile Lounge, a private clinic in Chepstow specialising in orthodontics, restorative dentistry and facial aesthetics.
Throughout his career, Ian has played an active role in postgraduate orthodontic education and professional leadership.
He has served as Chairman of the British Lingual Orthodontic Society and as Clinical Director of a Lingual Orthodontics MSc programme at Warwick University.
He is also a Faculty Member of the Spear Academy and holds a Postgraduate Award in Education.
His clinical expertise encompasses conventional and lingual orthodontics, biomechanics, aligner therapy and complex ortho-restorative treatment.
Ian is also a recognised Expert Witness in orthodontics and a founding member of OPP, an organisation bringing transferable high-performance skills into the medical and dental professions.
The programme has been designed to support clinicians at different stages of their clear aligner journey.
Start with Days 1 and 2 to develop strong foundations in assessment, diagnosis, case selection and treatment planning.
Days 3 and 4 develop your understanding of more challenging malocclusions, advanced mechanics and Shape Memory Aligner Technology.
Days 5 and 6 explore multidisciplinary treatment, complications, refinements and the integration of more sophisticated orthodontic treatment into everyday practice.
For the most comprehensive learning experience, delegates are encouraged to complete the full six-day programme.
The programme has been designed to support clinicians at different stages of their clear aligner journey.
Save £900 Includes all six clinical training days.
Select the individual day or days most relevant to your clinical development.
Develop your clinical knowledge, strengthen your treatment planning and progress from straightforward aligner cases to more advanced multidisciplinary treatment. The programme begins Saturday 3rd October 2026. Places are limited to maintain an interactive and clinically focused learning environment.
