Invisible aligners
Mispositioned teeth have been a problem for humanity for as long as humanity existed. They can make eating, speaking and thus daily life harder. If they are left untreated, the conditions associated with them can worsen, and lead to severe complications. Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that is concerned with the treatment of malpositioned teeth and jaws. There are various conditions that need to be addressed, and they can range from mild aesthetic problems to severe, debilitating conditions.
Traditionally orthodontic conditions have been treated with headgears, which even in popular culture is often associated with negative aesthetic implications. With the discovery of dental adhesives this has somewhat been addressed by braces with brackets: they are definitely far less visible than headgears or wires wrapped around each tooth, however they are still not perfect. There is a growing demand for solutions that treat orthodontic conditions, but do not come with unsightly metal appliances in one’s mouth.
Invisible aligners, such as Invisalign in Weybridge are meant to address this issue. These are moulds of one’s teeth, made out of clear plastic, which makes them much less visible compared to traditional braces. The pressure necessary to realign teeth is exerted by the aligners fitting perfectly to the teeth: a series of these aligners is manufactured throughout the treatment and applied in stages.
The benefits of Invisible aligners
Invisible aligners, such as Invisalign have numerous benefits compared to traditional braces with brackets. The most obvious one is the fact that its transparent plastic material makes them nearly invisible, therefore you do not have to worry about your appearance. This can make it a very attractive option for young professionals, teenagers, or anyone who requires orthodontic treatment but is concerned about the appearance of metal braces.
Another great benefit of invisible aligners is that they are removable. This means that in situations where you would consume something that could stain your aligners, such as red wine, tea or black coffee, or their presence would bother you, you can simply remove them for that time. It is important to note however, that the aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours a day, therefore their removal should only be brief. Their removability also means that cleaning them and brushing your teeth is much easier than with traditional braces. You do not have to worry about food getting stuck in your braces and needing specific toothbrushes to remove remnants of food.
Are there any drawbacks to invisible aligners?
As unfortunately with every treatment, there are some drawbacks to Invisalign too. Invisible aligners are not a suitable treatment for all types of orthodontic conditions, particularly intrusions and extrusions. Previous dental treatments, such as bridges or crowns can make patients unsuitable for treatments by invisible aligners. If there are overly large gaps between one’s teeth, this might also make the usage of traditional orthodontic braces necessary. Certain tooth shapes could also make invisible aligners unsuitable, such as short or very round teeth, as this can hinder the aligners in getting the appropriate grip on the teeth. Consulting your orthodontist is the best option for finding out whether it is suitable for you.
