Do you want to straighten your crooked teeth? Or are you looking for options to reduce gaps between your teeth? If yes, then you are in the right place. Here we will talk all about dental aligners and how they work.
What are Dental Aligners?
Dental or clear aligners are transparent, tray-like tools used to straighten crooked teeth. They use gradual and gentle pressure on teeth to move them to an ideal position. One good thing about aligners is the discreet look it provides, unlike metal braces.
How do aligners work?
We know how comfortable, transparent and convenient they are. But how do they work?
It takes around 6-12 months to complete your entire smile transformation, depending on the complexity of the issue. Throughout this process, several aligner trays are given to you. You have to wear them for 20-22 hours a day, removing them only while eating or brushing. Only compliance will yield results. These trays apply gentle pressure on the teeth. This pressure changes the physical position of your teeth and moves them to an ideal position.
After you achieve every small movement, you move on to the next aligner tray. This goes on until the teeth straighten and you reach the smile goal.
Are clear Aligners as good as braces?
They are as effective as metal braces in some cases, with better appearance and comfort.
- Transparent- In this image-conscious world today, aligners prove to be the best option. They are made of polymer, so you can wear them without anyone noticing.
- Comfortable- When compared to metal braces, aligners are gentle and soft on the cheeks, gums, and lips.
- Fewer visits to the dental clinic- With metal braces, you need to visit the clinic for fittings or when brackets break. But dental aligners are designed according to your teeth. They are custom-made after scans. If your case is not complex, your orthodontist might hand over the aligner trays to you and guide you to wear them. They also make sure you are disciplined to remove it while eating, brushing or flossing.
For good and effective results, you need to wear them for about 22 hours a day.
The stages of dental aligners treatment:
Now we know what clear aligners are, let’s talk about the process to get aligners now:
- Visit your dentist
- In the first visit to your orthodontist, they will examine your entire oral cavity. To check abnormalities, decays, infection, etc. He will see your bite on both sides. This gives him the idea of the severity of the issue and helps him plan the treatment.
- Get Scanning Done
- Here, the orthodontist will take a digital impression of your teeth and register bites to understand the relationship between upper and lower teeth.
- Planning Your Treatment
- After your consultation and 3D scans, the orthodontists along with the aligner company (e.g., Illusion Aligners) will create a customised treatment plan for you. Taking your priorities and goals into consideration, a preview of your correct smile is created. This is before your treatment begins.
- Customized Aligners
- Once you are satisfied with the preview and the treatment course, it is then sent to the lab to design the aligner trays. Depending on your case, the orthodontist will decide if you need attachments or IPR as well.
- Delivery of aligners
- The aligners are delivered to your orthodontist. They will guide you towards wearing them. Each aligner tray must be worn for 20-22 hours a day for 1-2 weeks. Following a certain set of instructions by your orthodontist. Only this compliance will yield good results.
- Retainers to Keep Your New Smile
- After optimal results are achieved, your orthodontist will guide you into wearing retainers either for a lifetime or for a period. This will be invisible as well. These retainers will keep your new teeth’s position intact without causing any relapse.
Let’s upgrade your smile!
- A solution to speech problems- Crooked or gapped teeth can cause problems with speaking certain words. The clear aligner treatment helps solve the problems associated with and improve speech.
- Improved confidence- People who have noticeable crooked or gapped teeth often feel self-conscious to smile or speaking socially. After this treatment, confidence is boosted because of improved appearance.
- Improved function- This treatment puts teeth in their ideal position. Improving the chewing ability of the person.
- Reduced risk of cavities- Spaces or gaps create a lot of space for food lodgment. This leads to frequent cavities. Therefore, this treatment reduces those gaps and maintains oral hygiene.
How to know if dental aligners are for you?
To know if dental aligners are the ultimate treatment for you, it is best to chat with your orthodontist. You are a good candidate if you:
- You had metal braces in your teenage years, and your teeth have shifted back to crooked alignment.
- You have forwardly placed teeth; this causes difficulty in closing lips, or you have an open bite, crossbite or any other misalignment.
- Your teeth are too crowded or have gaps.
