What if I mess up the case?


Every dentist has one fear when starting aligners:

“What if this goes wrong?”

I remember my first case with rotations and black triangles.

It didn’t go as planned.

The patient expected perfection. I expected simplicity.

We both left disappointed.

Then I changed one thing: the way I set expectations.

Now I use one simple script at every consult to align goals and avoid future surprises.

Here’s the script:

“We’re going to make a big difference in your smile — and sometimes, the plan needs to be adjusted along the way. We’ll monitor progress together and make sure we’re happy with the result before we ever call it ‘done.’”

And a few more tips to reduce fear before you start:

  • Choose cases with predictable movements (crowding, spacing, minor rotations)
  • Use staging and attachments strategically — not reactively
  • Get case support or a second set of eyes before you submit
  • Focus on communication > perfection

👉 If you want to go deeper on how to plan cases and build confidence, you might be a good fit for our online or in-person course: Check out courses here 👀


Video of the Week

video preview

In this video, I break down a real-life clear aligner case review and show you step-by-step how to spot unnecessary movements, optimize your ClinCheck treatment planning, and avoid common aligner case mistakes. Whether you’re trying to improve predictable aligner movements, learn more about attachment optimization, or level up your aligner workflow as a dentist, this breakdown is packed with actionable tips.

If you're serious about Invisalign case troubleshooting, aligner patient outcomes, and planning better cases, this one’s for you.

-Dr. Avi


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