Aug 29, 2022 | Clear Aligners
Consumers who are not familiar with Invisalign may at first question the possibility of achieving straighter teeth without using brackets and wires. Invisalign is a popular alternative choice to traditional metal braces. When the brand was first launched more than two decades ago, they were met with skepticism and resistance from professionals. A lot of adults grew up with the image of metal wires and brackets if they want straighter teeth. But metal braces do not exactly offer a pleasing aesthetic. There’s also a certain degree of pain when your metal wires or brackets rub against the insides of your cheek. The promise that a set of clear aligners can give the same effects as metal braces is something that many people still doubt.
Can Invisalign really produce results? Let’s take a closer look at some factors you should consider if you’re interested or curious about Invisalign? Is everyone eligible for the treatment? What does the treatment process look like?
People commonly mistake that Invisalign is only applicable to minor corrections such as crowding and gapping. In reality, Invisalign can be used to treat more complex cases such as underbites, overbites, crossbites, and open bites. All these cases are typically treated with traditional braces. When you get traditional braces, spacers, expanders, and headgear can be used to help treat complex issues better.
Invisalign’s range of treatable issues has expanded as technology continued to develop. In the first years of clear aligners in the market, only minor issues were treated. Often, more complex cases would be referred to traditional treatment. Invisalign continues developing and becoming more popular and has reached almost the same treatment capabilities as metal braces. There are also attachments for Invisalign to help with complicated treatments.
1. Underbite
If the lower front teeth protrude over the upper teeth, that’s what we call an underbite. Having an underbite can make speaking clearly or chewing food properly difficult sometimes. It can also increase the weakness of the teeth.
2. Overbite
Overbite refers to the overlap of the upper front and lower front teeth. Most people have minimal overbite so it’s not an issue. If the overbite is extremely deep, there can be jaw pain and it can also cause the teeth to wear down.
3. Gap Tooth
Gap tooth refers to cases where there is excessive space between the teeth. Although it may not seem like a big deal, these spaces can become pockets where food can sometimes get stuck. If the gap is in a hard-to-reach area, it leads to cavities and even tooth decay
4. Crossbite
Crossbite describes a condition where the upper and lower teeth are not aligned properly. Some of the upper teeth may be inside the lower ones. This condition can lead to teeth wearing down and gums receding. It can also cause painful gum tissues and bone loss.
5. Open bite
If the upper and lower teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed, it is called an open bite. Patients with open bites find difficulty biting into food like apples.
With Invisalign treatment, clear plastic trays are slotted over the teeth unlike traditional braces with metal wires used to correct the teeth alignment. Clear aligners are custom-made to fit each patient’s unique case. Invisalign utilizes 3D technology to allow orthodontists and dentists to create a personalized treatment plan. This plan will also allow the patient to see the results that they can expect. The orthodontist or dentist will check the patient’s progress according to the plan and make the needed changes.
The first thing to do when treatment starts is to have the clear aligners manufactured. These are custom-fitted and would need to be changed every couple of weeks as the teeth change alignment. The frequency of swapping out clear aligners will depend on each treatment plan.
One of the appealing aspects of clear aligners is the decreased pain that patients feel especially when compared to metal braces. Since the clear aligners are made of plastic, they can only put on limited pressure that’s also weaker than their metal counterpart. There is a gentler force applied to push or pull the teeth in the proper direction.
Another advantage of Invisalign treatment is the ability to remove the plastic trays when patients need to brush their teeth. They can also remove them if they want to clean the aligners. Clear aligners should remain discreet as long as they are properly maintained. Patients can get rid of the self-consciousness they might have felt if they wore metal braces. This is another benefit of wearing clear aligners. A lot of teens are disheartened by metal braces because it makes them feel incredibly self-conscious especially if the braces affect their speech.
Metal braces are only removed at the end of the treatment, unlike Invisalign trays which can be removed at any time. There are also special toothbrushes required to maintain the metal brackets.
One of the most important considerations for Invisalign is that the patient should be 100% willing to comply to achieve results. They should wear the aligners as long as the number of hours prescribed which is typically for the majority of the day. Patients sometimes forget to put their aligners back after brushing their teeth.
Patients will find the treatment most effective if they wear the aligners for at least 22 hours. If the patient only wears the aligners for less than the prescribed amount of time, they may delay the progress of their treatment. If they take off the aligners frequently and they remain off for longer, the teeth will have a chance to move back to their natural position as the day goes by.
Patients who used traditional braces and are using after-care retainers will sometimes report that they feel the retainers are tighter at night. This is because the teeth slowly move within the period that the retainer wasn’t worn.
If an Invisalign, or any clear aligner, patient continues to wear the aligner for shorter periods every day, they might not even see results from the treatment. It is recommended that aligners are removed during eating, flossing, or brushing. If a patient is forgetful and can foresee them leaving their aligners out, it might be better to go with traditional braces. The difficulty however involves the dietary limits and the more challenging cleaning regimen.
Treatment with Invisalign and traditional braces does not entirely end when the aligners or brackets are removed. Patients will be required to wear aftercare retainers to maintain the new teeth alignment. Depending on the case some would only need a retainer for the upper or lower set while others would be given a full set. There are removable and fixed retainers for this maintenance. Removable retainers are usually worn for a year while fixed retainers take several more years. Fixed retainers are applied to the back of the teeth with special cement.
In terms of materials used, retainers can be made with clear or acrylic material. Clear retainers use plastic that can be molded to the teeth. This is similar to the material used to create clear aligners which help in being more discreet. Acrylic retainers are the more common type and are made with bendable acrylic and wire. This can be adjusted and can also be produced in different styles and colors.
If you are deciding between Invisalign and traditional treatments, it’s important to speak with your dentist or orthodontists. Depending on the provider metal braces and Invisalign treatment could be comparable in terms of cost. Metal braces can be completed faster while Invisalign offers less pain and discomfort throughout the treatment process. Invisalign is also a popular choice for people who want a more discreet treatment.
Let your dentist know if you would have any trouble complying with the requirements of wearing clear aligners. It might be more appealing because of its discreetness but you want a treatment that can give you results. If you’re not entirely concerned with the look and aesthetic of metal braces, then they are of course a goo choice.