Learn how clear aligners work, including how they differ from traditional braces, and how they can easily create a stunning smile with minimal interruption to your lifestyle:
How Do Clear Aligners Differ from Traditional Braces?
If you’re considering teeth straightening options, you’ve no doubt questioned which you should choose between clear aligners like Invisalign® and conventional braces. In most cases clear aligner treatment is just as effective for straightening your teeth as traditional metal braces. However, the nearly invisible braces approach is ideal for social and active lifestyles, particularly among adults and self-conscious teens. People may not even notice you’re wearing the clear plastic aligners.
Virtually invisible, clear aligners can be a great option for many adults and teens who would rather avoid more obvious braces.
Unlike traditional braces, you can remove the trays to brush and floss your teeth without worrying about the issue of trapped food that sometimes occurs with metal braces.
Traditional braces use metal and wires that may irritate the inside of people’s cheeks. Clear aligners are made of a smooth plastic that is more comfortable for extended wear.
So, Exactly How Do Clear Aligners Work?
The first step is to get an examination from your orthodontist. During the exam, the orthodontist will help you to decide if you are a good candidate for treatment, based on your individual needs. There is more than one type of aligner, and if clear aligners are right for you, your orthodontist can choose from an array of systems, not just Invisalign®. The most important factor in determining your outcome is the skill and expertise of the provider, not the brand of clear aligner used in the process.
What Happens If You’re a Candidate? How Clear Aligners Work:
If it turns out that Clear Aligners are suitable for you, your orthodontist will take records, including photos of your face and teeth. An X-ray and scan of your mouth will also be arranged. The records are then sent out to a clear aligner lab like Invisalign® where a 3D model of your teeth is created. Your orthodontist will design your personalised treatment plan and then order your series of trays. Dr Fine also has an on-site aligner manufacturing facility, so if you choose FineLine, he doesn’t need to outsource the aligners, and can start the treatment sooner.
Once you receive your aligners, you will need to wear each one for a week or two at a time. Your teeth in each aligner are a little straighter than your last. On average, teeth move about a third of a millimetre with each aligner. The difference between your current alignment and the slightly different impression of your teeth in your new aligner puts pressure on your teeth. Over a week (or two), your teeth will begin to move to match your current aligner. The light pressure from each in a series of aligners is how clear aligners work to create your new smile over time.
You May Have to Use a Few Attachments
Most people may need to use attachments on their teeth. These are small bumps of plastic material that are translucent, or a similar colour to your teeth. They provide a gripping point for your aligner to fit firmly into place. They also help to place targeted pressure on the right parts teeth to help straighten them. Attachments can help the aligners to rotate your teeth as needed, as well as move your teeth up, down, and side-to-side as required by your treatment plan.
Some patients may need to wear rubber bands with their aligners, similar to the requirements of metal braces. The bands work to put extra pressure on certain teeth and/or to correct your bite. It’s all a part of how aligners such as Invisalign® work as a teeth-straightening solution.
How Long Do You Have to Wear the Aligners?
One of the big benefits of clear aligner systems is that you can remove the aligners to eat, drink, brush and floss. They’re easy enough to clean, too, just with your usual toothbrush. So, you should wear the aligners for approximately 22 hours a day to allow your teeth the best chance to move to their final, straighter position.
Adult treatment time can be a few months only, or more commonly, an average of around twelve months. Treatment times vary depending on the severity of your case. Your orthodontist will work closely with you to develop an individual treatment plan for your needs.
An important thing to remember is that you need to look after your trays and your teeth during treatment. If you eat or drink (other than water) with your aligners still in, sugars and other particles remain trapped in your mouth, which in turn feed decay-causing bacteria. Removing the aligners while eating and drinking also allows saliva to act as your natural tooth cleaning system in order to promote good oral health.
What Happens After the Final Aligners?
When you are done wearing the final trays, you will receive retainers. Usually, these plastic retainers look similar to the treatment trays. The purpose of the retainer is to help keep your newly-aligned teeth in place. You may need to wear the retainer for a period of 6 weeks on a full-time basis. You can then cut back to wearing it just while you sleep. Eventually – and only if supervised and advised by your orthodontist – you may be able to wear it only one or two nights a week. This is very case-specific, as some people’s teeth are more prone to relapse than others.
What Can Aligners Fix?
Clear aligners can be used as part of an overall treatment plan to correct a number of orthodontic problems, like:
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Crooked Teeth
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Crowded teeth
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Gapped teeth
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Underbites
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Overbites
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Open Bite
Are Clear Aligners for You?
This is a treatment that is low on maintenance, big on results, and fast on effectiveness.
To determine if you are a candidate for clear aligner treatment and how it works in more detail, book a free assessment* with Fine Orthodontist Sydney.
*If orthodontic X-rays are required, a fee of $180 applies. Treatment may not be suitable for you.
These Products are not available for purchase by the general public. They are however available to Fine Orthodontist Sydney patients. Treatment may not be suitable for you. Always read the label and follow the instructions for use.
