Driftodontics: A neglected treatment approach

Abstract

Clear aligners have become increasingly popular in recent years due to patients’ esthetic and comfort needs. Many movements are still unachievable, highlighting the limitations of clear aligner therapy. Moreover, it is expensive and many patients cannot afford it for orthodontic correction. Long-term fixed orthodontic devices are painful for patients, with complaints of discomfort and ulceration during their treatment. This can be reduced by minimizing the duration of appliance wear, as driftodontics allows the teeth to adjust naturally without applying any active force. The duration of active fixed orthodontic therapy is significantly reduced compared to the hybrid approach (partial fixed appliances combined with clear aligners) as well as conventional fixed orthodontic therapy. In this case report, after all first premolar extractions, physiologic drift was used to decrowd the arches and an active TPA to correct unilateral crossbite within five months only, followed by another 5 months of active fixed orthodontic appliance. Over a total period of 10 months, we achieved a bilateral Class I molar and canine relationship with significant improvement in lip competency.