Everyone strives to have a perfect smile. Most people believe their natural tooth appearance does not result in a flawless smile. Currently, there is a wide range of orthodontic options for straightening crooked teeth. One of the fastest treatment options is clear aligners for teeth.
Contents
- What are clear aligners for teeth?
- Advantages of aligners for tooth straightening
1. comfort
2. clear aligners for teeth allow you to practice good oral hygiene
3. they look better than all other appliances
4. they treat a narrower range of dental problems
5. they increase confidence
6. you can eat whatever you want
7. they are an ideal way to whiten teeth
8. fewer visits to the dentist
9. they help prevent potential future problems - How the treatment with aligners for tooth straightening progresses
- How to use and maintain the hygiene of clear aligners for teeth
What are clear aligners for teeth?
Aligners for tooth straightening, or so-called clear appliances (also called aligners), are thin plastic trays designed to correct tooth irregularities. Clear aligners for teeth have been available for two decades and aim to correct minor bite irregularities and tooth positioning. Their practicality and inconspicuousness make them an extremely attractive alternative because they address orthodontic problems in a very easy and discreet way. The aligners are completely transparent and for this reason are a very popular choice.
Crooked teeth not only look unattractive, but over time can also lead to negative functional effects. Improper tooth positioning can have various consequences. For this reason, it is important to begin addressing this problem in time. The problem in most cases can be solved very easily with the help of clear aligners for teeth.
However, the first association people have when told they need to correct their tooth position is “a mouth full of metal braces.” This is of course an exaggerated reaction, because today’s appliances are much more sophisticated than some from the past. However, it is true that fixed appliances must be worn constantly and you must have them in your mouth for some time. This causes some discomfort for people. That is why clear aligners are an excellent solution – of course if you are a candidate for them.
Advantages of clear aligners for tooth straightening
There are numerous benefits that clear aligners for tooth straightening offer. These advantages relate to aesthetic appearance, functionality, how they are worn, oral hygiene maintenance, and more. Here are some of the most significant advantages of this type of appliance:
- comfort
- clear aligners for teeth allow you to practice good oral hygiene
- they look better than all other appliances
- they treat a narrower range of dental problems
- they increase confidence
- you can eat whatever you want
- they are an ideal way to whiten teeth
- fewer visits to the dentist
- they help prevent potential future problems
Despite all these advantages, it should be noted that clear aligners for teeth are still not a universal solution. Namely, they are only used in situations where there are minor tooth irregularities. This includes the following situations:
- mild tooth rotations
- spacing between teeth
- tooth inclination irregularities in the front region
- crowded teeth
1. Comfort
Treatment with clear aligners applies less pressure on the teeth at the beginning of therapy, and after a few days that pressure disappears and the patient does not feel like they are wearing aligners at all. Because of the material from which it is made, the tooth aligner is very light and therefore comfortable to wear without any discomfort or irritation. Conventional braces have brackets and wires that can cause tissue injuries, which is not the case with aligners. Its edges are smooth and the aligner can be removed whenever you wish.
2. Clear aligners for teeth allow you to practice good oral hygiene
One of the advantages of clear aligners for tooth straightening is their easy removal during oral hygiene maintenance. Aligners are not fixed; they can be removed and inserted very easily. Because of this, you can brush your teeth and the aligner separately. The dentist’s recommendation is to use toothpaste, water, and a soft brush when cleaning the aligner. Oral hygiene maintenance is simpler compared to fixed braces, so this reduces the chance of getting cavities and gum disease.
3. They look better than all other appliances
This is perhaps the main reason why patients choose aligners over traditional fixed and removable dentures. While children generally do not mind metal in their mouths, especially if some of their peers also have braces, adults find it a bit harder to accept.
Fortunately, clear aligners are so transparent that other people will probably not notice them at all. This is a big deal, especially for adults. They are ideal for all patients who are concerned about aesthetic appearance during the tooth straightening period.
4. They treat a narrower range of dental problems
Although the material is thin, it is very effective. Clear aligners for teeth apply even pressure across the entire tooth surface, which increases the precision of tooth movement. Dentists recommend them for treating minor orthodontic problems such as spacing, rotations, and so on.
Contrary to popular belief, therapy typically lasts from 3 to 6 months, which is a much shorter treatment period compared to conventional braces. The best thing about these aligners is that they are more comfortable. They can be an excellent option for children who have minor irregularities in their permanent teeth.
5. They increase confidence
The aligner is invisible. Therefore, it may be some time before anyone else notices that you are wearing it. This treatment option helps patients have greater confidence about their smile because very few people notice this orthodontic appliance on their teeth. This is why this treatment is a good option for teenagers. Teenagers tend to be very self-conscious – for this reason, aligners can be a fantastic orthodontic treatment for them.
6. You can eat whatever you want
While with fixed braces you have to be careful about your diet to avoid damaging brackets and wires, with aligners you can eat whatever you want with no restrictions on the type of food, how you chew, or how you bite, because the aligner is removed during meals. Although the aligner needs to be worn all day, they are easy to remove and store in their cases. After finishing a meal, it is recommended to brush your teeth, if possible, or rinse them with plain water and put the aligner back on your teeth.
7. They are an ideal way to whiten teeth
During tooth straightening therapy and wearing aligners, it is possible to whiten your teeth using the at-home technique. The aligners can serve as a tray for applying the whitening gel. Pick up just a whitening syringe at the office and you get a 2-in-1 procedure. This way you can save money since you already have the aligners.
8. Fewer visits to the dentist
With clear aligners for tooth straightening, your visits to the dentist will be shorter and less frequent. This helps you save time and money. Aligner therapy lasts three to six months depending on the number of aligners needed. On the other hand, fixed braces require a longer therapy period that lasts a minimum of one to two years. Patients who live abroad receive all their aligners and manage therapy in consultation with their dentist.
9. They help prevent potential future problems
After aligner therapy when your teeth are in the ideal position and the problem has been resolved (crowded and crooked teeth), it is easier to maintain oral hygiene. This prevents food retention and the buildup of tartar and cavities. In this way, the aligner takes care of your teeth and helps protect them from potential problems in the future. This type of orthodontic treatment can be extremely beneficial for preventing dental problems in the years to come.
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How the treatment with clear aligners for tooth straightening progresses
First, a patient examination is needed to determine the condition. After that, a 3D analysis is performed, which essentially simulates tooth straightening using software. This is a very significant moment because the patient has the opportunity to see what the therapy results will look like.
During the analysis, the dentist measures how much movement is needed based on which determines the number of aligners that will be used during therapy. Each aligner can move a tooth by 0.25 to 0.30 mm, so aligners are made accordingly and their number is determined.
This practically means that the clear aligner system consists of 4-10 aligners that make up a set, which the patient receives. One aligner is worn for 12 to 14 days after which the patient switches to another.
The entire treatment can last between 2 and 6 months depending on the type of problem. During treatment, the patient does not necessarily need to visit the dentist. This fact is ideal for patients coming from abroad. Patients from Belgrade come for checkups every two weeks.
How to use and maintain the hygiene of clear aligners for teeth
For the treatment effect to be completely effective, the patient needs to be maximally committed and self-disciplined. Clear aligners for teeth should be worn all day, a minimum of 20 hours per day.
The tooth straightening aligner is removed during meals, which makes oral hygiene maintenance easier, which greatly affects its appeal. There are no food remnants and no tartar buildup on teeth and the appliance. The appliance is very simple to maintain; it only needs to be brushed with a toothbrush and toothpaste once a day.
So do not hesitate and come get your smile at our office! To avoid unpleasant surprises, our office makes sure that all information is available to you, including our service pricing. Call us and schedule your appointment, and you are already one step closer to your goal!