Weighing the pros and cons of any decision is key to making the best possible choice, especially when it comes to elective procedures like clear aligner treatment.
Do clear aligners work? In short, yes. But as with any teeth-straightening solution, some advantages and disadvantages should be considered before you commit.
Here’s a comprehensive look at the benefits and drawbacks of using clear aligners to achieve straighter teeth.
What are clear aligners?
Clear aligners are a modern and more comfortable alternative to traditional braces when it comes to straightening your teeth.
The clear aligners are custom-made specifically for each patient and are removable, so they do not interfere with everyday activities, such as eating, drinking, and tooth brushing.
Thanks to 3D imaging technology, each aligner is made precisely to fit the patient’s teeth and provides a gentle but sure realignment process.
By wearing the clear aligners for the recommended 20 – 22 hours a day, patients can safely enjoy more aesthetically pleasing smiles by their treatments’ end.
What are the necessary steps for wearing them?
To start your clear aligner therapy, you must schedule a consultation with your dentist,who will construct a 3-D image of your mouth and jaw. Subsequently, based on this picture, they’ll create a plan to shift your teeth into their ideal location.
Your dentist will use this plan to craft a customised set of plastic aligners. These devices gently apply pressure to your teeth, slowly shifting them into their ideal positions over time.
Depending on your dentist’s instructions, you’ll switch through aligners every week or two. To ensure the best results, wearing these aligners for 20-22 hours daily is recommended.
How clear aligners work?
Clear aligners, also known as invisible braces, are a discreet but powerful orthodontic treatment option that can help to straighten teeth.
They work by gently shifting the teeth into a more orderly shape and can provide improved oral hygiene and aesthetics.
Clear aligners are created using custom dental impressions or physical moulds, so each mouth is treated using braces tailored specifically to its unique smile.
Each set of aligners works to shift the upper and lower teeth step-by-step closer to the perfect shape over a period of time, applied for around two weeks before being replaced with the next set in the series for continued adjustment.
The treatment typically takes anywhere from 6 months up to 18 months for a full invisalign treatment, depending on the complexity of correction needed and overall alignment goals.
Whether you’re looking for general straightening of your front lower arch or full arch therapy, clear aligners can be an easy way to achieve healthier and more attractive teeth.
After the last tray: What comes next?
Upon completion of your treatment, you will receive retainers. These clear plastic trays are typically similar to the ones used earlier in the process.
The retainer’s main objective is to secure your newly-straightened teeth and keep them in their new position. To ensure this, you should wear the retainer full-time for a period of 6 weeks.
Gradually, with the appropriate guidance from your dentist, you can reduce wearing it to merely sleeping hours. Eventually, this could be cut down even further and only require one or two nights of use per week.
Issues that can be fixed with clear aligners
Clear aligners have been used to provide dental treatments for more than twenty years, and the technology has only grown with time. From fixing crooked teeth to addressing a range of oral issues such as:
- Crossbites
- Overjets
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Gaps between teeth
- Crowded teeth
Issues That Require More Than Aligners to Solve
Invisible teeth aligners are perfect for mild to moderate misalignment issues; however, they cannot effectively treat more severe alignment problems.
Issues that can’t be fixed with invisible aligners include:
- Serious underbite
- Abnormal canine teeth
- Severe crowding
- Severely inclined back teeth
- Severe midline discrepancy
Although invisible aligners offer a comfortable and discreet option for teeth straightening, people must understand their limits to make informed decisions when it comes to caring for their dental health.
An in-depth look into the benefits of clear aligners
Clear aligners are a safe and discreet way to straighten your teeth, giving you a perfect smile without the need for metal braces.
They deliver predictable results that can often be achieved faster than traditional braces, with some cases being completed in as little as six months.
This orthodontic appliance is also more comfortable to wear than metal brackets, as there are no wires or brackets that could cause irritation.
Clear aligners are also removable so that their users can remove the trays when they brush their teeth, floss to remove plaque as it may cause tooth decay or gum disease, and eat whatever they like without going through the hassle of changing trays or wires on metal braces.
What’s more, clear aligners can be taken out before special occasions, such as weddings or parties, allowing for a more confident and comfortable experience during these events.
The drawbacks of clear aligners
Clear aligners are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to get straight teeth and a dazzling smile; however, there may be better solutions for everyone.
The main drawback is that they take longer to become effective than other methods. That drawback could be that people considering clear aligners might have to put up with prolonged time in brackets and metal wires before seeing results.
Additionally, if you don’t wear your aligners as your dentist directed, you’ll unlikely achieve the desired results.
Clear aligners also require frequent adjustments over the course of treatment, while traditional metal braces rely primarily on just one dental visit every 4-8 weeks.
Clear aligners are typically more expensive than metal braces, so if you’re on a tight budget, their cost may be a deciding factor for you.
How effective are these clear aligners?
Your friends may have experienced positive outcomes with Invisalign, but it is important to look beyond the stories. Unfortunately, there isn’t much research available to support its efficacy now.
A review of 11 studies involving Invisalign aligners in 2015 revealed that research on the effectiveness of this technology is surprisingly sparse.
Previous studies have been limited in scope, often utilising sample sizes that are too small. Additionally, few of these experiments included a control group for comparison purposes.
Extensive research has revealed that Invisalign is more effective than other types of clear aligners. Additionally, the upgraded versions released in 2010 have further bolstered their effectiveness by delivering greater force to teeth during wear. Thus, it’s safe to say that Invisalign provides superior results compared to its contemporaries on the market when it comes to achieving straighter smiles.
Why do People Choose Clear Aligners Over Traditional Braces
Clear aligners are quickly becoming the superior solution to traditional braces for those looking to straighten their teeth.
They’re viewed as more aesthetically pleasing since, almost all of the time, they’re invisible. This means that it’s possible to enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile without becoming a spectacle amongst your peers.
In addition to discretion, clear aligners offer convenience; there’s no need for monthly dentist visits or the replacement of wires and brackets by staff members.
There is also less discomfort with clear aligners because there are no metal-on-teeth abrasions or sticking-out wires, instead only pressure from the aligner tray itself.
All in all, clear aligners offer users the peace of mind that comes with having a comfortable smile journey.
How to Get The Most Out of Your Clear Aligner Treatment
Clear aligner treatment is a great option for straightening teeth, but to get the most out of your treatment and make sure you achieve optimal results, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions.
- Make sure you are wearing your aligner trays according to the recommended schedule. The proper amount of time each day makes all the difference.
- It is also essential to keep them clean. Your doctor will provide detailed care instructions on how to safely do this using approved products only.
- Additionally, brushing and flossing every morning and evening is a must during your treatment; proper oral hygiene is key!
- Finally, if you feel any discomfort or need help reinserting a lost tray, consult with your doctor right away.
With these tips, you can ensure that your clear aligner treatment is successful from start to finish!
Conclusion
Clear aligners offer a number of benefits that appeal to both children and adults. They are practically invisible, much more comfortable than traditional braces, and allow you to eat and drink what you want without worrying about damaging the hardware.
Despite these advantages, there are some drawbacks to clear aligners that you should be aware of before making a decision about your orthodontic treatment.
Overall, clear aligners are a great option for people who want straighter teeth without having to deal with the discomfort and inconvenience of metal braces.
If you’re interested in learning more about how clear aligners can give you a perfect smile, contact Boutique Dental Care Chatswood on (02) 9054 5281 today. Our professional, friendly team would be happy to help you achieve your dental goals!
Sources
FAQ
https://www.invisalign.com/frequently-asked-questions
Orthodontic Treatment with Clear Aligners
https://www.aaoinfo.org/blog/orthodontic-treatment-with-clear-aligners/
Orthodontic Treatment with Clear Aligners and The Scientific Reality Behind Their Marketing: A Literature Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7018497/