By Dr. Hisham Badawi, Orthodontist (certified specialist), BDS, DDS, MOrth, PhD, FRCD(C). About Dr. Badawi
If your aligners have stopped fitting, your treatment keeps getting extended, or you have been told you need yet another round of refinements, you are welcome to ask for a second opinion. Dr. Badawi, a certified specialist in orthodontics, will look at your teeth, your bite and the plan behind your aligners, and explain what he sees in plain language.
When a second opinion can help
- Your aligners no longer seat fully, or there is a gap between the plastic and a tooth
- You have had several refinement scans and the teeth still aren’t where they should be
- Your treatment has gone on much longer than you were told
- Your jaw has started clicking or aching, or your back teeth no longer seem to touch
- You have been told you need more enamel shaving, more attachments or extractions, and you want to understand why
- Your teeth have moved back after treatment
What we look at
When aligners stop working, the cause is often in the plan rather than in the patient. We look at the forces behind the plan, not just a new scan:
- How your teeth are actually moving compared with where the plan expected them to be
- Your bite and jaw joints, including whether your back teeth still support your bite
- Your arch shape and width, and whether room can be made without more enamel shaving
- What can realistically be achieved with aligners, and whether part of your case would be better treated another way, such as braces
What you get
- An unhurried exam and a clear explanation of why your teeth may not be following the plan
- Your options, including what can be done with aligners, what can’t, and the trade-offs of each
- An honest recommendation, even if it is to continue with your current provider
You are not committing to anything by asking. If you are still in treatment elsewhere, we recommend you also speak with your current provider: they know your case history, and a good outcome matters more than where it happens.
What to bring
- Your current and next set of aligners, if you have them
- Any records you can get from your current provider, such as scans, x-rays or a treatment summary
- A list of the dates of your refinement scans, if you know them
Book a second opinion
Call (403) 730-6400 or book a consultation online. Tell us it is for a second opinion on aligner treatment, and we will make sure there is enough time to go through your case.
Related reading: Why aligners stop tracking, and what really fixes it · How we measure our own results
Common questions
Can I get a second opinion while I’m still in aligner treatment?
Yes. Dr. Badawi will look at your teeth, your bite and the plan behind your aligners and explain what he sees. We also recommend speaking with your current provider, who knows your case history.
Why do aligners stop fitting?
Often because the plan asks a tooth to move in a way the forces can’t deliver, so the tooth falls behind the plastic. More aligners or another refinement scan rarely fix that on their own; a plan that changes the forces can.
Do I have to switch to Smile Elements after a second opinion?
No. You are not committing to anything by asking. Our recommendation may be to continue with your current provider.
What should I bring?
Your current and next aligners if you have them, any records you can get from your current provider, and the dates of your refinement scans if you know them.
Related: Clear aligners for adults · Orthodontist in NW Calgary
