Using Clear Aligners To Move Teeth
Clear aligners are one way to move teeth to create beautiful, heathy smiles. As with any treatment, there are pros and cons and only you, with the help of your dental health provider, can determine if this method of aligning teeth is a good choice for you. Aligner therapy is a nice alternative to braces for those that prefer a more discreet option to move teeth. Aligners can be used to correct crowded teeth, gapped teeth, underbite, overbite, as well as cross and open bites.
HOW THEY WORK
Clear aligners are nearly invisible plastic replicas of your teeth. Through a series of aligners, each worn 1-2 weeks at a time, gentle pressure is applied on teeth to gradually move them. To start, an impression or a digital scan is taken of your teeth along with pictures and X-rays. These are then sent to the aligner company. There are a number of companies that make aligners, Invisalign being the most recognizable. The information from the impressions or scans is uploaded by the aligner company software to set up a virtual/digital replica of your teeth. The dentist/orthodontist works together with the aligner company to come up with a plan to reach an appropriate goal. This is done using the virtual model of your teeth by moving teeth digitally a little at a time. A series of aligners is fabricated, each moving teeth gradually according to the plan. Each aligner is worn for 1 to 2 weeks for approximately 22 hours a day. Tooth coloured attachments may be placed on a few teeth to assist in certain kinds of movements. These attachments are removed at the end of treatment. Sometimes elastics need to be worn with the aligners or sanding/reducing the contacts between teeth to make space is required. As with braces or other appliances, the treatment must be finished with a permanent retainer. A removable retainer, a cemented wire or a combination of both types may be used. If this is not done, teeth will relapse. These permanent retainers are worn for life.
PROS & CONS
They are almost clear, and are more discreet than braces.
They can be removed to eat and brush teeth. Oral hygiene is easier than with braces.
Some tooth movements are more easily achieved with aligners and some may be more challenging compared with conventional braces. Aligners may not be the right “appliance” to correct every kind of orthodontic problem. Braces may be better suited for certain corrections.
If the aligners are not worn as prescribed, the teeth will not move as planned.
Absolute compliance by patients is critical for success.
Aligners can easily be lost or damaged by pets. Aligners are very tempting for dogs especially and can’t be left where a family pet may reach them.
This type of treatment is a great option for tooth movement but it is not suitable for everyone. Individual options have to be discussed with your health care provider. Aligner therapy should be done with a licenced doctor. Caution is advised with do it yourself, over the counter products.