Clear Aligner Technique

Just as the latest update of your favorite luxury sedan elevates the model with the newest technology, the second edition of Clear Aligner Technique, by Dr. Sandra Khong Tai, improves on the already robust original with the addition of the latest advances in clear aligner therapy. Each chapter offers actionable knowledge the reader can immediately begin applying in treatment planning, supported by a wealth of peer-reviewed research—a testament to the author’s commitment to promoting evidence-based orthodontics. Novices and experts alike will appreciate the well-organized early chapters, which provide a solid foundation in the history of clear aligners, guidelines for case selection, and digital workflows. Individual chapters illustrate protocols for handling deep bites and open bites, proceeding to deep dives into challenging sagittal corrections, with a keen focus on the vertical component of treatment. Detailed reviews of attachment types and advice for staging each desired tooth movement follow.

This second edition is packed with new content, including introductions to the latest improvements in treatment-planning software, such as conebeam computed tomography integration. Dr. Tai also details growth modification with aligners for both Class II and Class III correction, in addition to transverse maxillary expansion.

Perhaps the most innovative—and enjoyable—feature of this edition is the inclusion of interactive QR codes peppered throughout the chapters. The codes turn the textbook into a virtual classroom by launching YouTube videos that simulate the treatment-planning process. In these tutorials, Dr. Tai applies her expertise to deft demonstrations of software features and tools, providing an immersive experience unparalleled by any other textbook on aligner orthodontics.

With an excellent fit, feel, and finish, this second edition offers an enjoyable drive down the road of learning. While it seems impossible that Dr. Tai could improve on this version in a future iteration, I am confident she will.

Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, Jonathan Nicozisis, July, 2025