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Invisible Aligners for a Perfect Smile

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Invisible Aligners for a Perfect Smile

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Custom-made invisible aligners are orthodontic devices that are used to adjust or move the teeth. Read the article to know more about it.

Written by

Dr. Sneha V.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Sneha Kannan

Published At August 21, 2019
Reviewed AtDecember 19, 2023

Introduction

Everyone dreams of having a great smile, but they get stuck on where to start. Many people are experiencing success using clear orthodontic devices called ‘Aligners.’ Orthodontic braces encourage teeth to move using brackets connected with wires. Aligners are a series of custom-made tight-fitted trays that slip over the teeth. This article explores more on invisible aligners for a perfect smile.

What Is an Invisible Aligner?

An invisible aligner is a removable, transparent orthodontic device that is mostly used to straighten teeth and correct bite problems. These invisible aligners are made of clear and smooth plastic material and are custom-made for different individuals. This orthodontic process involves a set of aligners that are used sequentially by slightly aligning the position of teeth until the desired and esthetic position is achieved. These invisible aligners are famous because they are aesthetically pleasing and an effective alternative to traditional orthodontic braces.

Who Are All Suitable to Get Invisible Teeth Aligners?

  • Invisible aligners are suitable for persons with mild to moderate misalignment of teeth. They are best for adults or teens because of their custom-built tight-fitting nature. It can be used in severe cases, as they need traditional orthodontic braces for effective correction.

  • Teenagers and adults with fully erupted permanent teeth are specifically good candidates for undergoing orthodontic treatment for aligning their teeth using invisible aligners.

  • Straightening a child's teeth is more complicated. Young clients and their jawbones are still growing and developing, which makes it difficult for the dentist to prepare custom-made trays for the entire procedure.

  • These aligners are typically used for patients with mild to moderately crowded teeth, or minor spacing issues. Patients with severe crowding or spacing problems may need more complicated orthodontic treatment.

How Do Invisible Teeth Aligners Work?

The dentist decides and makes a plan for correcting the patient's teeth, which includes duplicating the teeth with respective jaws. The clear aligners have several versions with slight adjustments, which help the teeth to move.

They are worn according to their types:

  • Night Worn - It has to be worn only at night, but at least 10 hours a day.

  • Normal Aligners - It is worn for 20 to 22 hours a day. This can be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing.

The patients get a new set of aligners every few weeks until the end of the treatment, to help the teeth move in the desired position.

How Long Does It Take for Invisible Aligners to Straighten Teeth?

Treatment time with clear aligners depends on how much movement or rotation the teeth need. The more the teeth have to be moved, the longer it takes to complete the treatment. This usually takes around 10 to 24 months. But if the patient has done an orthodontic treatment before and teeth shifted slightly, they may require around ten weeks with clear aligners.

What Are the Uses Of Invisible Aligners Over Braces?

Invisible aligners offer several benefits when compared with traditional orthodontic braces, which makes invisible aligners a popular choice for many. Some of the advantages include

  • Aesthetic Appeal: The invisible appearance of the device is the primary advantage of invisible aligners over braces. These clear plastic aligners are less noticeable when compared to the appearance of metal braces, providing an aesthetically pleasing choice.

  • Removability: Invisible aligners are easily removed making it easy for the patients to brush, or eat. This removable type helps patients maintain oral hygiene and reduces the risk of cavity formation and gum disease during treatment.

  • Comfortable: The smooth plastic nature of invisible aligners is more comfortable than brackets and wires. These invisible aligners will not have any sharp edges to irritate gums and cheeks.

  • No Diet Restrictions: As the aligners are removable they can be removed while eating this allows for no dietary restrictions. Whereas in orthodontic braces some foods should be avoided to reduce the damage.

  • Predictable Treatment Planning: As the treatment planning is generated using computers which means the tooth movements are accurately using this system, individuals can see the result of the treatment before starting the treatment.

  • Less Appointments: Though regular checkups are necessary the frequency of the appointments is less when compared to the traditional orthodontic braces method.

  • Treating Mild Issues: Invisible aligners effectively treat minor bite issues, minor spacing and crowding, and other mild to moderate orthodontic problems.

What Are the Ways to Maintain Oral Hygiene With Invisible Aligners?

Maintaining oral hygiene is essential while under treatment with invisible aligners for achieving effective results and preventing various dental problems. Some of the oral hygiene instructions include

  • Regular Brushing: The patient should brush their teeth regularly after every meal and before inserting the aligners after the meal. The patient should use a toothbrush with soft bristles and toothpaste that contains fluoride. Brushing should be done using proper brushing techniques to remove all the plaque and food particles.

  • Proper Cleansing of Aligners: The patient should rinse their aligners with warm water every time they remove them. Aligners should not be cleaned with hot water as it can warp the plastic. The patient should use a special aligner cleaning crystal or clear antibacterial soap to clean it. Toothpaste should not be used as it can scratch the aligner.

  • Flossing the Teeth: The patient should floss their teeth daily which helps to remove the debris and plaque that are accumulated between the teeth. Flossing prevents cavity formation and gum disease.

  • Limited Sugary Foods: The patient should avoid sugary foods as they increase the risk of cavity formation.

  • Avoid Staining Foods: The patient should avoid foods and drinks that can stain the teeth. Some include coffee, soda, red wine, tea, acidic fruits, juice, soy sauce, and more.

  • Hydration: The patient should drink plenty of water to maintain saliva production. Drinking water may also help in washing away debris. The patient should especially drink after taking any beverages other than water.

  • Routine Checkups: Regular check-up is essential to monitor oral hygiene.

Conclusion

Invisible aligners provide a perfect smile for individuals by satisfying them with all the considerations like aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, removable, no restrictions in eating, and more. Following all the ways to maintain oral hygiene while using invisible aligners is essential. Reaching out to a dentist regarding this may be beneficial.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Is It Possible to Get Perfect Teeth Using Invisalign?

Invisalign is the most aesthetic orthodontic method to get perfectly aligned teeth within the arch. Although more expensive than traditional brackets, they are more aesthetic and more hygienic. The aligner trays can be removed and cleaned, ensuring proper oral hygiene.

2.

Can Invisalign Correct Smiles?

One of the prime goals of any orthodontic modality is to design a beautiful smile line. Often individuals are concerned and conserved about their smiles due to existing crookedness and misalignment within or across the arches. Invisalign can aid in correcting those imperfections along, hence, establishing a more natural and balanced arch relation, resulting in an improved smile.

3.

Can Invisalign Change the Shape of the Face?

Changing the shape of the face is a very aggressive change that is beyond the scope of Invisalign aligners. Small changes can be expected due to movement of the tooth within the arch, but extensive changes like jaw line changes require surgical interventions and is not an indication of clear alignment protocols.

4.

Do Direct Aligners Fit Perfectly?

Aligners are created off a perfect positive replica of the oral structures. These are replicated from digital or elastomeric impressions of the arches. Several trays for the entire span of treatment are made based on the initial impression, treatment plan, and expected final outcome. The trays, at least the first set, is supposed to have a snug fit. There might be some changes in fitting with subsequent sets, but ideally, the aligners are planned to fit perfectly with the changing alignment.

5.

What Is the Reason for the Teeth Not Being Perfect After Invisalign?

Perfection in the teeth visibility, from a layman's point of view, can be subjective, whereas the orthodontist or the Invisalign specialist aims to stride a perfectly functional and aesthetic harmony. After the period of aligner treatment, there may be small imperfections like gum problems, tooth yellowing, small misalignments, etc. These might be resultant of poor hygiene and not following the tray-wearing instruction throughout the treatment schedule. The patient may approach the orthodontist with their apprehensions which then can be attended to with further treatment.

6.

Which Teeth Are Contraindicated for Invisalign?

Some teeth may just be beyond the indication of Invisalign, but that does not mean that the patient can completely write off orthodontic treatment. Conditions like severe overbite, pegged teeth, severely rotated teeth, very large intra-tooth gaps, intruded or extruded teeth, or fixed prosthetics cannot be managed with Invisalign, but the patients still have the option of fixed orthodontic therapy (braces).

7.

Why Do Dentists Prefer Invisalign or Braces?

There is no consensus on this as dentists recommend treatment modalities based on multiple factors like patient age, financial status, intra-oral examination, degree of orthodontic disharmony, expected treatment duration, etc.

8.

What Is Beyond the Scope of Invisalign?

Some pre-existing dentoalveolar anomalies limit the usage of Invisalign like
- Extruded tooth.
- Severe rotation.
- Molar uprighting.
- Extraction spaces.
- Pegged teeth.
- Severe overbites.
- Presence of deciduous teeth

9.

Is Relapse Possible After Invisalign?

Orthodontic relapse is not specific to Invisalign treatment; rather, this can be expected from any orthodontic treatment modality. An orthodontic relapse is a multi-etiologic event ranging from lack of patient cooperation to clinical negligence.

10.

What Is the Reason for the Tooth Looking More Crooked With Invisalign?

As with all modalities of orthodontic treatment, especially within the first six months, the dentition might look much worse than it was before the treatment. This is an interim stage where the teeth are moved out to be repositioned gradually in a harmonious location.

11.

Do Invisalign Wearers Talk Differently?

Invisalign is a thin clear thermoplastic, and they do not have any profound, long-lasting effect on the speech of the wearer. During the initial days of treatment, the individual might notice a slight lisp in their speech which is most evident with “s,” “sh,” or “z” sounds.

12.

Can an Observer Notice the Aligners?

Aligners (or Invisalign) are tight-fitting and clear trays that enforce their actions with very subtle visibility. Casual onlookers may not even notice anything different. The buttons, elastics, attachments, and aligner edges might be the most noticeable part of the trays.

13.

Is It Possible for Invisalign to Make Lips Look Bigger?

Invisalign are thin clear plastics that are adapted over the tooth. During and after the treatment, the overall rest and position of the lips might change due to changes in the positioning of the incisors. Since this is a dentoalveolar treatment, aligners cannot change the fullness of the lips or make them look bigger.

14.

Is It Possible for Invisalign to Make the Face Look Slimmer?

Invisalign affects and modifies the tooth position and their inter-arch relationship. Over the course of treatment, the appearance of the cheeks and the lips might alter due to changes in the underlying tooth position. They do not affect the growth or appearance of the jawline. Overall, they can have an impact on the appearance of the face.
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Dr. Sneha V.
Dr. Sneha V.

Dentistry

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