No one has perfect looks, even celebrities are constantly under aesthetic supervision and cosmetic treatment to look their best. The flaws in our smile are as common as any other health concerns. These flaws in smiles are due to genetics, injury, habits, or for unknown reasons. It is very appealing for maximum patients to go for the smile makeover treatment. However, most patients take a back-step because of tedious dental treatments.
But we need to understand modern dentistry now. Things and treatment have changed with time and no more hours and hours of sitting at a dentist’s place is a common thing.
Many people who want straight teeth also refrain from getting treatment because they don’t want to deal with chunky metal braces.
The game changer treatment in Orthodontics: Clear Aligners offer an easier and more comfortable way to achieve a beautiful smile.
The PU or PETG clear aligners plastic slowly move the crooked and misaligned teeth into the right and desired position very smoothly without the need for wires or brackets.
If you’re considering the treatment options for straightening your teeth, this article will serve as a comprehensive guide and help you understand the mechanism and action of clear aligners, whether should you opt for them and all the basic knowledge that you should know about them.
Clear aligners are bespoke or custom-made plastic trays, made of medical grade PU or PETG. These trays fit over your teeth put pressure on your crooked teeth and cause movement in them little by little. This shift is so gradual that you would not realise it until a significant amount of treatment time.
No one can easily know that you are even wearing them. This is the main reason which makes them a popular choice for teens and adults who are very conscious about their appearance and don’t want to go for noticeable braces.
These clear aligners are created, or we can say fabricated especially for every patient by using advanced 3D scanning and thermoforming technology, ensuring a flawless finish, beautiful aesthetics, and a perfect fit for the patient’s teeth.
The clear aligner treatment usually ranges between 6 months to 1.5 years. The aligners kit that you will receive from your dentist will consist of a numbered series of aligners. These aligners are then to be worn chronologically and need to be switched with successive set every one or two weeks depending on the material and severity of your case. This switching of aligners helps to gradually shift your teeth into the desired place.
Clear aligners work on the mechanism of orthodontic force. As the plastic tray pushes your teeth in a certain direction, there is a guided teeth movement that happens. This guided movement is pre-planned and controlled by your dentist.
Sometimes to guide the teeth movement more appropriately, elastics are also used along with the clear aligners.
In some complicated cases, aligners are used in combination with braces as well.
However, all these procedures are decided by your dentist after looking at your case.
The process of getting clear aligners is simple but should be very strictly followed. Let’s understand the flow as per the sequence.
The orthodontist or dentist will examine your teeth to diagnose the severity of your misaligned teeth and determine if clear aligners are suitable for you or not.
In this very appointment, you can expect your dentist to record your X-rays or digital scans to plan your treatment.
In this initial process, your consent is very necessary. Because once the treatment starts, it’s very unlikely to make changes midcourse.
Many dentists also provide a virtual set-up to make you see your final smile through VR or AI portals. This helps patients to gain confidence in their treatment.
• Your aligners are specially designed and fabricated to fit your teeth
You will receive custom-made sets of aligners. Each set would be slightly different from the previous ones according to the planned tooth movement.
• Aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours daily.
• Every 7-14 days, you need to switch to a new set of aligners.
A strict schedule should be followed for aligners wearing because the whole treatment depends on how properly the aligners are worn and taken care of. Since the clear aligners are removable, your dentist would also depend on you for a strict wearing schedule unlike braces that are fixed and can’t be removed.
• Once your treatment is complete, you’ll have the desired, straight, and beautiful smile.
• A retainer (same as aligners to maintain the new position of teeth) may be needed to keep your teeth from shifting back to the original position.
Almost Invisible – Unlike metal braces, they are transparent and that’s why blend in with your natural teeth.
They are almost invisible to also a person sitting very close to you.
Comfortable – Made from medical grade, biocompatible and very smooth plastic, they do not irritate your gums or cheeks, unlike braces.
Removable – You can easily take them out when eating, drinking, brushing, or flossing.
This is the reason why there is no food restriction while getting aligners treatment. You can eat whatever you want.
Easy to Maintain – Just rinse and clean them daily.
Fewer Dentist Visits – No need for frequent tightening like with braces.
Clear aligners are great for people with:
✔ Mild to moderate crooked teeth
✔ Small gaps between teeth
✔ Minor bite problems (overbite, underbite, crossbite)
Though clear aligners are best aesthetically, it is your dentist’s decision as to what suits you best. Clear aligners are best for mild to moderate malocclusion cases and for severe and complicated issues, traditional braces or a minor surgery may be combined along with your aligner’s treatment.
Whatever may be the treatment course, it’s a patient’s duty as well to stick to the advised routine, follow the instructions, and not experiment with the treatment regime.
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