In today’s world, appearance and aesthetics are taking center stage in most dental treatment plans. More and more people are opting for aesthetic treatments like veneers to correct their tooth color and shape or orthodontic treatment to correct their teeth alignment. When it comes to orthodontic treatments, Clear Aligners are the clear winners in the race. These transparent trays, made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), move teeth gradually and align them to the correct arch form.
Clear Aligner Advantages
Compared to conventional orthodontic braces, a clear aligner has several benefits, such as:
- Better Aesthetics – They are virtually invisible, which means they are discreet, and nobody will know you are getting orthodontic treatment.
- More Convenient – They can be easily worn or removed whenever required.
- Improved Dental Hygiene – It’s easier to maintain proper oral hygiene than conventional braces.
- More Comfort – Aligners have smooth surfaces, so the tendency to irritate your gums is much less!
- Fewer Dental Visits – It takes fewer dental appointments to get your customized trays.
- Improved Self-Esteem – Having a beautiful smile helps build confidence and self-esteem!
Treatable Cases With Aligners
Over the years, aligners have been developed to correct both simple and complex misalignments. They are gaining popularity among patients and dentists because of their aesthetic appearance over conventional braces.
Here’s a list of things that an aligner can be used to treat:
- Deep Bite – When the upper front teeth overlap more than 30% of the lower front teeth.
- Crossbite – When one or more of your bottom teeth sit outside your top teeth instead of the usual position they are in (inside the top teeth).
- Open Bite – When your top and bottom teeth do not meet either at the front or back when your mouth is fully closed.
- Spacing – When there are unwanted spaces between your teeth.
- Crowding – When insufficient space in the jaws does not allow the teeth to line up correctly in their proper positions.
- Increased Overjet– When the top front teeth are protruded or flared out at an angle.
How Do Aligners Work?
Clear Aligners work by applying gentle pressure on your teeth which helps bring them into position over a period of time. On average, they’re supposed to be worn for a minimum of 22 hours daily for the best results. The treatment time varies from one person to another as it depends on the severity of the misalignment.
