Class II Malocclusion and Clear Aligners: What Treatment Options Exist?

Class II malocclusion — characterised by a jaw discrepancy where the lower jaw is set back relative to the upper — is one of the most common reasons for orthodontic consultation. It affects around 20 to 25% of adult patients. Can it be effectively treated with clear aligners? The answer is yes, in many cases, with important nuances.

Before any treatment, it is essential to distinguish two very different types of Class II:

• Dental Class II: the discrepancy comes from tooth position, not the bones. Upper incisors are too far forward or lower ones too far back. This type is generally treatable with aligners alone.
• Skeletal Class II: the discrepancy comes from an anomaly in jaw size or position. Depending on severity, treatment may require intermaxillary elastics, auxiliary appliances or even orthognathic surgery.

For moderate Class II cases, clear aligners are often combined with orthodontic elastics — small rubber bands hooked between attachments on the trays or on dental attachments. These elastics exert continuous force that pushes the lower jaw forward or retracts the upper, progressively correcting the discrepancy. The patient must wear them continuously, except during meals and brushing.

Class II is not an absolute barrier to clear aligners. Depending on the origin and severity of the discrepancy, aligners — alone or combined with auxiliaries — can deliver significant and aesthetically satisfying correction. Consult a certified Infinity Aligner dentist for a personalised diagnosis and 3D simulation of your target smile.