Clear Aligners / Invisible aligners / transparent aligners are removable, medical grade plastic appliances. Patients have to wear these aligners themselves instead of brackets and wires to correct malocclusion. Dental aligners are a modern alternative to braces, for teeth that are in need of straightening.
A Clear change to the concept of Cosmetic and Adult Orthodontic treatment without using conventional methods of wires and brackets. Adults wouldn’t have asked for a better choice to correct their malocclusion without social inhibitions.
Clear Aligners also offer predictable results visualization even before the treatment. Clear Aligners are clear removable cosmetic appliance for teeth movement of patients.
There are various Companies that offer Clear Aligners lab support to the Orthodontists like Invisalign, ClearPath, KLINE, Inman Aligners etc. However, Most of these companies are from out of India and they fabricate the aligners in their respective units.
Although some general BDS dentists also offer clear aligners. Orthodontic Specialists with MDS in Orthodontists are the qualified and trained doctors to treat malocclusions using clear aligners. Therefore, please ask for Indian Orthodontic Society Registration before getting any type of teeth alignment therapy from any dentist.
What are Clear Aligners?
Certainly, Clear Aligners are substitute to traditional braces and they help guide teeth into their real position. Like braces, clear aligners also use a tool that controls tooth movement, but without those ugly metal braces. The aligners are made of a medical grade plastic material and are designed to fit each individual’s mouth. In aligner treatment, each aligner moves the teeth a little till the teeth reach their final desired positions.
You have to wear the Dental aligners for atleast of minimum 20 hours a day for desired results. Each aligner is worn for two weeks before switching to the next one. The length of treatment with dental aligners depend upon the complexity of the case. Normally, aligner treatment can be as short as three months or as long as 48 months as well. But inspite of this, it is a much shorter treatment than traditional braces.
How do Clear Aligners work?
Clear orthodontic aligners are a substitute to traditional braces. They can move the teeth and alter your smile without much intervention to your daily routine life. These are removable trays made of a clear plastic which is nearly invisible.
When using aligners, a series of slightly different trays are tailor-made in order to fit over your teeth. Most importantly, you must wear each one for a period of 20 hours a day for two weeks before switching to the next in the line. The aligners are computer generated, fabricated by top notch techniques that based on models and images of your own teeth.
Advantages of orthodontic treatment with clear aligners
There are several benefits to using clear aligners:
- Most importantly, as Clear aligners are removable, therefore, it is easier to brush and floss after meals
- Clear aligners are easier to maintain and clean
- Clear aligners are cozy and do not irritate your gums and cheeks
Disadvantages of Invisible aligners
- It is not a good option for all cases. It can only treat mild to moderate malocclusion cases.
- Cant be used for an uncooperative or unmotivated patient.
- High Treatment costs and complete upfront payments.
- So, If oral hygiene is not maintained, the potential for tooth decay increases.