Orthodontic patients often exhibit insufficient alveolar bone volumes, such as dehiscence, fenestration, and root resorption, which will increase the risk of complications during orthodontic treatment. Therefore, dentists should adequately evaluate the alveolar bone of patients to formulate and implement bone augmentation plans in time. At present, periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics, guided bone regeneration, and site preservation techniques have been used for the alveolar bone augmentation of orthodontic patients. Moreover, the development and implementation of a reasonable bone augmentation program can reduce the complications of orthodontic treatment, increase the range of tooth movement, broaden the indications of orthodontic treatment, and improve the stability of the orthodontic effect. Therefore, this review summarizes the mechanism, indications, timing, effects, and complications of alveolar bone augmentation techniques.