Clear aligners, also called invisible aligners or invisible braces, are a type of orthodontic treatment that corrects misaligned or crooked teeth. They are a virtually invisible and removable alternative to metal braces designed around convenience and flexibility. They show off your smile, so most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
Any person having distorted dental arrangement and wish to straighten their tooth alignment to their desired position are eligible for this treatment, but clear aligners do not provide effective results for a person’s with too distorted teeth, In such cases other methods like traditional braces to accomplish their desired results of tooth alignment.
Clear aligners are used in the treatment of following dental deformities
- Crowded Teeth — when the teeth overlap
- Overbites — when the upper front teeth overlap with the lower front teeth
- Underbites — when the lower front teeth overlap with the upper front teeth
- Diastema — when there are small or large gaps between the teeth
- Open Bites — when the front upper and lower teeth slant outward and do not touch when the mouth is shut. This is a very rare type of malocclusion.
- Misaligned Primary (Baby) Teeth — clear aligners can be used during phase I orthodontic treatment to make room for existing baby teeth and developing permanent teeth. Children between 6 and 10 years of age are candidates for this treatment.
Clear aligners help people with distorted tooth arrangements to achieve straight and uniform teeth. These aligners function by slowly shifting a person’s teeth at small intervals. Each new tray is designed to be very slightly closer to the ideal position of the person’s teeth. Clear aligners are more effective for adults and teens than children.
Advantages of clear aligners
- They are nearly invisible so most people will never notice the patient wearing the aligners.
- They are removable: Unlike braces, aligners can be removed, making it easier to brush and floss well; that helps maintain better overall oral health.
- No brackets, bands, wires, and elastics like the fixed braces.
- No problem with food entrapment under the braces.
- No problems in flossing.
Clear aligner treatment procedure
- The patient is evaluated thoroughly with X-rays, plaster models & photographs.
- Special impressions of the upper and lower jaws with teeth are made and forwarded to the clear aligner laboratory.
- A series of aligners that are customized to apply pressure to the teeth to be moved are made utilizing the impressions and models of the patient.
- Doctors check the treatment progress periodically and provide new sets of aligners. Aligners are to be worn for at least 22 hours per day, progressing through each step until treatment is done.
Treatment time with invisible teeth aligners is based on how much the teeth need to be moved or rotated. The more your bite is off or the more crooked your teeth, the longer it will take. Treatment usually takes between 10 and 24 months. Read our Patient instructions page for more details about usage, care, and maintenance of clear aligners.
Cost of Clear aligner Treatment
The brand of aligners chosen, the length of treatment required, and how many aligners are needed determines the cost of treatment. Aligners are costlier than traditional braces, however, considering its effectiveness in getting a perfect smile, the treatment is worth all its costs.
