Topics covered
- Parts needed
- Step by step instructions for installing engagers
- Engagers and the treatment setup
- Engagers, templates & case revisions
- How do you keep engagers attached to the teeth?
Engagers, or "buttons" as some call them, can be thought of as small "handles" you put on teeth to help them move. Because some teeth are shaped or positioned in a way that can be difficult for an aligner to "grab" onto, small composite-resin bumps are placed onto the facial surfaces of the teeth so that the aligner has something to "engage" with.
A blue square on the treatment plan represents adding an engager.
Engagers are an active area of research and development at ClearCorrect and elsewhere.
Many conceptual designs for engagers have been discussed in literature and professional forums, but when they are reduced to practice and the shape is thermoformed in the engager template, problems of adaptation and air gaps reduce the capability of many of these designs.
Without conclusive information and until the mentioned adaptation problems are resolved, ClearCorrect is happy to stick to simple 1mm x 2mm x 3 mm horizontal and vertical engagers, which work well.
For a video or for step by step instructions on how to place engagers, see below.
Download a printable guide here.
Parts Needed
Instructions
Try on the template.
Identify the location of all engagers.
Etch the tooth only in the area where engager will bond to the tooth. Do not etch the whole facial.
Rinse off acid.
Lightly coat engager voids with petroleum jelly.
Fill engager voids about 2/3 full with paste-type composite.
Fill remaining 1/3 of engager voids with flowable composite.
Place bonding agent on etched tooth.
Light cure bonding agent.
Insert template.
Light cure composite.
Remove template and clear off extra flashing material with scaler.
Engagers and the treatment setup
When we send you a treatment setup, we are presenting our best attempt to represent the course of treatment that you want to pursue for your patient—the recommendations shown are not absolute. It’s up to you to make any necessary changes to create a custom plan for treating each individual patient.
Engager preferences and timing can be discussed and adjusted according to what you want for your patient. Just let us know about your particular preferences when you submit your case or when approving the treatment setup.
Engagers, templates & case revisions
On the treatment setup, if the engager is blue, it means it’s a new engager placement. If the engager is gray, it means it’s a previously placed engager.
If you are submitting a case revision based on a prior step (not new impressions or scans), we’ll assume that the existing engagers are still on the teeth. You won’t receive a new engager template unless new engagers are needed.
How do you keep engagers attached to the teeth?