Short courses in clear aligner treatment are increasingly popular and often promoted as quick, accessible ways to boost your clinical skills. One-day workshops and weekend intensives offer a fast introduction to appliance systems, patient workflows, and the basics of aligner treatment.
But once the course ends and real patients walk through the door, many dentists are left wondering… What now?
A Starting Point… But Not the Full Picture
While these courses can help you begin treating straightforward cases, they’re often just that: a starting point.
Short courses introduce you to the basics of how a system works, show you how to use the software, and help you begin with simple cases. But after the excitement of that first day or weekend, many dentists find themselves unsure of what to do next.
That’s because a short course can’t cover the full clinical picture. Real confidence in orthodontics comes from understanding more than just aligner protocols—it means being able to assess a case properly, spot potential challenges early, and plan treatment that accounts for the long-term outcome. While these courses can be beneficial for understanding the fundamentals, they frequently lack comprehensive coverage of complex orthodontic principles.
One significant limitation is the depth of biomechanical understanding required for effective treatment planning. For instance, clear aligners have inherent challenges in achieving certain tooth movements, such as torque control and vertical adjustments. These topics require a nuanced grasp of orthodontic biomechanics, which short courses may not adequately address.
On top of this, the lack of structured mentorship after the course finishes can leave dentists without the support they need to handle complex cases with confidence. This gap can lead to uncertainties in diagnosis and treatment execution, potentially compromising patient outcomes.
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The Common Ceiling of Fast-Track Training
It’s not uncommon to start out strong after an aligner course—many dentists feel excited to begin offering something new, and patients are often quick to show interest. But as soon as a more complex case walks through the door, the limits of that initial training can become clear.
What happens when the patient has underlying skeletal issues, or when aligners alone aren’t enough to achieve the planned outcome? What if you’re unsure whether a case should even be treated with aligners at all?
These are the sorts of clinical dilemmas that short courses rarely prepare you for. As reported by the General Dental Council in a recent review of complaints, a common issue in aligner treatment is underestimating case complexity or offering treatment outside a clinician’s comfort zone. That’s not about poor intention—it’s about the lack of structured training and long-term support.
The truth is, without a broader foundation in orthodontics, many dentists eventually hit a ceiling. They’re fine with simple cases but feel unsure when the diagnosis is less straightforward, or when the patient doesn’t respond as expected.
What helps lift that ceiling is a more gradual, structured approach—one that gives time to absorb the principles, revisit them in context, and apply them in practice. That’s where real, lasting confidence starts to build.
Build True Confidence With a Structured Approach
The Diploma in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics at the London Dental Institute is designed for dentists who want to move beyond short-term learning and develop a truly comprehensive understanding of orthodontics, including clear aligner treatment.
Delivered fully online, the programme covers a wide range of core topics such as:
- Orthodontic diagnosis and case assessment
- Treatment planning with both fixed appliances and clear aligners
- Growth, development, and dentofacial orthopaedics
- Clinical case discussions and long-term management
Bi-monthly live sessions, access to academic mentors, and a collaborative learning environment make it possible to deepen your knowledge while working in practice. You’ll have the time and space to ask questions, reflect on your cases, and apply learning in real-time.
Ready for the Next Step?
If you’ve already taken a clear aligner course and feel like you’re only scratching the surface, the Diploma in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics could be the next step forward in your professional journey.
With limited places still available for the May cohort, now is the perfect time to explore whether this programme fits your goals.
Download a prospectus to find out more.
