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While metal braces remain the most popular form of orthodontic treatment, folks who do not wish to be seen wearing them are increasingly opting for invisible alternatives. Patients with crooked teeth have a number of options, including the innovative Clear Aligners system. In contrast to other tooth-straightening technologies, Clear Aligners are meant to resemble natural teeth. This makes it the superior option: you will escape the shame associated with visible braces while keeping your natural smile.
Similar to traditional braces, clear aligners are intended to gradually shift teeth. The aligners are copies of your teeth made of plastic. When worn, they exert moderate pressure on the teeth, rearranging them subtly. Clear aligners are one of the numerous technological developments that have made orthodontic treatment less noticeable, and one of the numerous “appliances” orthodontists employ to reposition teeth and align jaws to create a healthy, beautiful smile.
How Clear Aligners Work?
Aligners, like traditional braces, are designed to gradually shift teeth. Before beginning treatment, the orthodontist will evaluate the patient and collect diagnostic records, such as x-rays, pictures, impressions of the teeth, or digital scans. The orthodontist can then use the aligner software to design your smile and arrange the treatment process – which teeth will move where, and in what order – in order to guide teeth into healthy positions. Remember that this refers to all of the teeth, not just those that are visible when a person grins. The objective is a healthy “bite” in which the upper and lower teeth come together appropriately. Moving teeth is a complex biological process that must be supervised from beginning to end by an American Association of Orthodontists member orthodontist (AAO). The majority of patients visit their orthodontist every six to ten weeks.
Using the patient’s initial impressions or digital scans as a starting point, a set of plastic aligners are developed with the eventual result in mind. The aligners are copies of your teeth made of plastic. When worn, they exert moderate pressure on the teeth, rearranging them subtly. The suggested wearing time for aligners is 22 hours per day, or as directed by the orthodontist. Each pair of aligners is worn for one to two weeks before being replaced by the next. According to the orthodontist’s strategy, the teeth eventually achieve their ideal positions. The total number of aligners will vary depending on the demands of each individual patient. As with conventional braces, retainers will be required once the teeth have reached their new locations.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Clear Aligners
In addition to being nearly invisible, many patients value the fact that aligners are removable. Take them out to eat, to brush their teeth and floss, or for brief work and social situations.
Aligners may not be the appropriate “appliance” for every type of orthodontic issue. Certain types of dental repairs may necessitate braces.
With clear aligners, tooth-colored attachments will be bonded to the teeth in order to facilitate tooth movement. Once treatment has been completed, these attachments are eliminated.
When using aligners, care must be taken with beverages, and anything other than tap water should be avoided. It is possible for liquid to seep into the aligners, where it will remain in contact with the teeth until the aligners are removed. This can result in discoloration of the aligner and teeth, and if the beverage contains sugar and/or acid, as in regular and diet soda pop, cavities can form. So avoid soda pop, along with flavored water, fruit drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks. Some bottled water may also be acidic!
Before reinserting your aligners after drinking something sugary or acidic (pH < 7.0), make sure to brush thoroughly. Additionally, use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen your teeth.
As aligners are removable, patients may be tempted to remove them if they are uncomfortable. Aligners cannot function if they are not in the mouth! They might be misplaced or lost once they leave the mouth. Make it a practice to place aligners in their case as soon as they are removed from the mouth. Avoid placing aligners in napkins, pockets, or purses. Additionally, keep aligners out of reach of dogs.
If you lose or break an aligner, call your orthodontist as soon as possible for further instructions.
Are Clear Aligners the Right Choice for Me?
Consult an orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists for the most accurate response (AAO).
Due to their significant education and expertise with the different types of “appliances” (devices used to move teeth/align jaws), orthodontists are able to provide informed recommendations based on your treatment goals and lifestyle requirements. Numerous AAO orthodontists offer no-cost or low-cost consultations and a number of reasonable payment plans.
Orthodontists certified by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) are committed to providing healthy, attractive smiles.
Membership in the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is restricted to orthodontists; only orthodontists are permitted to join. The only doctors who can call themselves “orthodontists” are those who have graduated from dentistry school and subsequently completed an accredited two- to three-year orthodontic residency program.
When you select an AAO orthodontist for orthodontic treatment, you can be certain that you have chosen a specialized orthodontist, an expert in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics with the abilities and experience to offer you the greatest smile possible. Find AAO orthodontists via Dentnearme or a local dentist at www.dentnearme.com
