The biggest mistake when picking aligner cases

Published 2 months ago • 1 min read

I see it all the time.

Docs get excited and jump into tough cases first — severe crowding, major bite changes, or posterior crossbites.

Crazy stuff.

Why?

Because we weren’t taught that there are LEVELS to ortho cases.

I did the same.

My first few cases took forever and needed tons of refinements.

I lost confidence fast.

When I started focusing on simple cases — mild crowding, no big bite changes — my confidence (and case acceptance) skyrocketed.

If you’re just starting:

Stick to mild anterior crowding or spacing
Avoid big bite changes or complex movements
Pick cases with motivated patients who want aesthetic improvement

👉 If you want my exact “starter case” checklist, I break it down in my free training: Watch Here 🎥

Video of the Week

Clear aligner attachments can make or break your case. In this clinical breakdown, I walk you through a real patient case and show you:

✅ Which attachments to replace immediately

✅ How to spot overcorrections that create black triangles

✅ Why over-extrusion ruins your finish (and how to avoid it)

✅ Tips to modify treatment setups for predictable results

As a general dentist and one of the most followed clear aligner educators online, I want you to get clarity on what actually matters when reviewing your treatment plans.

This case comes from one of the docs in our Clear Aligner Advisor community—and it’s packed with real-world lessons you can apply to your next case.

-Dr. Avi

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