Aligner technology is an updated, modern, and comfortable orthodontic replacement for traditional braces. In this technology, thin, transparent plastic shells move teeth in small increments when worn consistently.
Instead of braces attached to your teeth, aligners are removable and changed at 7-14 days intervals. A series of aligners are manufactured from virtual models of your teeth, with gradual or incremental movements toward straight teeth.
These devices are advised to be worn for about 22 hours a day, only to be removed for eating meals, brushing, and other special occasions.
If the patient follows all the guidelines thoroughly, this treatment’s accuracy rate is more than 90%. It can correct your orthodontic flaws more quickly than metal braces. An orthodontic treatment involving clear aligners in India will cost between INR 80,000 and 200,000.
Things to remember with clear aligners
- Teeth only move when forces are applied consistently. For that reason, you must be disciplined in wearing your aligners 22 hours per day. Otherwise, you’ll extend treatment and force compromises in the result.
- Keep to the aligner change schedule your orthodontist recommends.
- Monitor the fit of your aligners and contact your orthodontist if you have any concerns.
- Try to keep an open mind and be flexible about how many aligners or even series of aligners it will take to reach your goals
What are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are transparent braces made of medical-grade thin plastic-like material for hassle-free and comfortable everyday use. They are almost 100% transparent.
Unlike metal braces, aligners are painless, comfortable, and portable. They are custom-made for every patient after thorough digital scans by professionals to provide you with a perfect and confident smile.
These thin plastic trays are customised to snugly fit around the patient’s dental structures. They are made after a digital scan and other records.
Similar to traditional braces, aligners work by exerting gentle pressure and minimal shift on a daily basis to gradually straighten teeth with time. Tooth-coloured attachments may be applied to your teeth to anchor the aligners and facilitate the tooth alignment process.
Clear aligners are the newest and the most advanced elements of the dental alignment or teeth straightening process to date, and they are customised as per the client’s requirements.
Similar to traditional braces, aligners work by exerting gentle pressure to gradually straighten teeth over some time. Each aligner directs tooth movement, and teeth will move approximately 0.2mm to 0.3mm with each new set. It is like guiding your teeth to where it should be!
Issues that can fix by clear aligner
Crooked teeth:
This dental issue can hamper a smile and make it difficult to maintain good oral hygiene. Aligners can straighten crooked teeth by gradually shifting the teeth into the correct locations. Clear aligners can usually accomplish this in 12 to 18 months depending on the severity of the person’s condition.
Crowded Teeth:
When a person does not have enough space in the jaw, the emerging teeth can come in at odd angles. The results can make teeth appear twisted and overlap. This also creates problems for the person’s oral health, as food can get stuck in between the small spaces, leading to plaque and tartar buildup, causing cavities and gum disease. Clear aligners can properly position the teeth and make enough space in between them.
Gaps:
A prevalent dental issue is where large spaces in the jaw create unsightly gaps, making it look as though teeth are missing. Clear aligners can address this concern. The aligners will move the teeth closer together, reducing the distance between teeth.
Bite abnormalities:
When the upper front teeth overlap the bottom front teeth, an overbite occurs. The opposite situation results in an underbite. Another type of bite problem, a crossbite, can also cause problems. This happens when a person’s upper teeth fit behind the lower teeth when the mouth is closed.
All three of these conditions can affect the person’s ability to chew effectively. There are also implications with the person’s speech and smile. These misalignments can be efficiently treated by clear aligners.
Clear Aligners vs. Traditional Braces: Making the Right Choice
More comfortable Option: The clear aligners are much more comfortable than traditional braces as they are lightweight, easy to use, wear, remove and clean.
Transparency: Clear aligners are transparent so one will be able to see your dental flaws and treatment procedure anymore.
Involves shorter time: Clear aligner treatment period is much shorter than traditional metal braces.
Removable: Aligners are easily removable that provide better scopes for things like- a) maintaining your oral health and b) following your regular diet.
Benefits of Aligners for Teeth Straightening
Comfortable & Convenient use:
Using traditional metal braces with metal brackets and wires can be very uncomfortable at some time as it can hurt the soft tissues of your mouth. The brackets, wires, elastic, etc, can rub and poke against the inner surface of your mouth, causing painful ulcers in your cheeks or lips. Clear aligners are comfortable thermoplastic trays that you can wear the whole day without the feeling of wearing something.
Aesthetical:
These are invisible braces once you put them on, just the name suggests! There are no metal brackets, wires are involved, so forget the shiny metallic smiles. You can continue with your everyday activities without paying much attention to your dental flaws as they will be taken care of.
No diet restrictions:
There are no diet restrictions involved in this orthodontic treatment. As the clear aligners are super easy to remove, you are advised to remove them before eating unlike traditional braces, which are fixed with your teeth and pose several restrictions on what to eat.
Better oral health:
Another advantage of these removable aligners is that they are easy to clean, brush, and floss, reducing the chances of infection or cavities. With this method you can maintain better oral health than having metal braces that limit the brushing and the whole cleaning process of your mouth.
Removable:
Clear aligners are easily removable. However, you are advised only to remove your aligners for eating, brushing your teeth and cleaning your aligner trays in a day not more than 3 hours.
Lesser treatment period:
With traditional braces it may take 2-3 years to achieve the desired result. However with clear aligners the treatment period can vary between 6 months to 18 months. The overall treatment period with aligners is much lesser than with metal braces.
Reduced risk of dental emergencies:
Since clear aligners do not come with any attachments, they are very easy to fix and remove. Therefore, no dental emergencies are involved in this procedure.
How Do Clear Aligners Work to Straighten Teeth?
At i3dLiner, we are focused and entirely dedicated to providing you with not only the best orthodontic solutions but also a personalized experience.
Step 1: Dental Examination:
The journey with i3DLiner begins with an initial consultation with a qualified professional experienced in clear aligner therapy, during which the doctor will assess your dental health, discuss your treatment goals, and determine if i3DLiner is the right choice for you. X-rays, photographs, and digital impressions may be taken to create a precise 3D model of your teeth.
Step 2: Treatment Planning:
The information gathered during the initial consultation is sent to i3DLiner, where our experienced orthodontist, using advanced Bluesky software, will create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This plan will now be sent to your visiting clinic, where you and your dentist can review the treatment plan and oversee a virtual representation of how your smile will transform over time.
Step 3: Tray Creation:
After you approve the treatment plan, your custom aligners will be fabricated at i3DLiner with state-of-the-art technology to ensure the aligners are precisely crafted to fit your teeth comfortably and securely. Each set of aligners is designed to gradually move your teeth into the desired position according to the treatment plan.
Step 4: Treatment:
Upon receiving your aligners, you’ll be instructed on how to wear them properly and how long to wear each set before progressing to the next. It’s normal to experience some initial discomfort or pressure as your teeth adjust to each new set of aligners.
Step 5: Monitoring Progress:
You’ll have periodic check-up appointments with your orthodontist to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
Your orthodontist will ensure that your teeth are moving according to the planned trajectory and address any concerns or issues that may arise.
Step 6: Completion of Treatment:
Once you’ve completed the prescribed series of aligners and achieved your desired smile, your orthodontist will provide you with retainers to maintain the results.
Do Clear Aligners Works As Well As Braces?
A lot of people may not be convinced to realize that tooth correction with clear aligners typically works much faster than that of braces. A clear aligner works to apply pressure to all of the teeth together, as opposed to each individual tooth, as braces do.
If a patient remains disciplined with their aligners, like wearing aligners every day for 22 hours and removing them only for brushing and eating, supported by other instructions given by the orthodontist, then the clear aligners are determined to work much faster than braces. Where braces can be used for at least two to three days, clear aligners can treat your dental misalignments in six to nine months without hurting you with the metal brackets.
Potential Drawbacks and Risks of Clear Aligners
Orthodontic devices like clear aligners are superbly able to correct your dental issues at a shorter period, that too very conveniently. However everything has its own pros and cons together. There are some potential drawbacks and side-effects of clear aligner treatment which are temporary and can be experienced for a very short period.
Jaw Pain & headaches:
Clear Aligners mechanism involves applying continuous pressure to shift teeth into the desired alignment. This transformative process often triggers jaw pain and mild headaches lasting from a few hours to a few days.
Breathing difficulty:
Placement of aligners can hamper the normal breathing process and one may feel suffocated after wearing them at initial days.
Sore throat and tongue:
Soon after wearing aligners one may experience a sore throat and tongue. Again this will also disappear over a period of time.
Swelling in the lips:
In a rare scenario, aligners may exert pressure on the lips and hence may cause inflamed lips.
Other concerns like restricted airway, pain in the chest, and dry mouth were also reported during the treatment period.
Considerations Before Choosing Aligners
Factors that are considered before choosing aligner treatment include the following:
The severity of dental issues:
First and foremost, get a clear picture or idea about your dental issue. The type and severity of your orthodontic problem are crucial factors that decide how long you need clear aligner treatment.
Patient compliance requirements:
You should know and understand the outline of your treatment plan clearly. You should have a clear picture of vital information, including the duration of wear, the importance of wearing aligners for the recommended hours per day, and the importance of following specific instructions.
Cost and insurance coverage:
The cost of clear aligner treatment in India ranges between INR 35,000 and 2,00,000 or more. The bracket is wide as several types of malocclusions require different treatment procedures and periods.
Suitability for different age groups:
Your age is also a concerning factor in how to get started with a treatment, including clear aligners.
How to Choose the Right Aligner Provider?
With heavy demand and experiencing amazing results, the market is flooded with a number of brands providing clear aligner treatment. So choosing the right provider among them is quite a heavy task. Research thoroughly concerning the factors of:
Physical patient support:
This is essential when choosing a teeth aligner provider. Look for providers who offer practical patient support and have not only online but physical platforms for communication, such as accessible dental clinics. Additionally, consider the level of aftercare provided, including follow-up appointments and additional aligners if needed.
Technology used:
The technology used by teeth aligner providers can vary, so it’s essential to consider this when choosing a provider. Look for providers who use the latest technology to create custom-made aligners that fit your teeth perfectly. Additionally, consider if the provider uses 3D scanning technology to create a detailed treatment plan for you.
Doctor’s network:
At premier orthodontic solution providers like i3dLiners, we have a wide range of doctor networks across Guwahati and the region. With a number of expert orthodontists who are licensed in clear aligner technology we provide the best personalized treatment to the patients.
Cost comparison:
Cost is a significant factor in choosing a provider. Compare the prices of different providers and check for transparent pricing policies. Also, consider if the provider offers flexible payment options or insurance coverage.
Final Verdict
The Clear aligners are an advantageous method to straighten teeth that work as effective as traditional braces in many cases. Clear aligners provide faster treatment than traditional braces, credits to the precise and customised amount of force these trays apply on teeth. Clear aligners are convenient, transparent and removable, a fruitful option for people with an active lifestyle. However, clear aligners have a few limitations. These devices may not be effective in treating critical orthodontic cases. Clear aligners work best on poor teeth alignment caused by the position of the patient’s teeth. So it is your call to make your decision which you should take after doing a proper research. For more information on clear aligners and the treatment procedure you can check our website.
FAQs
The treatment period may vary from 6 months to 18 months, depending on the severity of your condition and your age.
Clear aligners have proven to correct mild to moderate misalignments successfully. It may work in severe misalignments as well. For the best update and information visit your nearest orthodontist.
Aligners could be a good choice for your child if they will wear the aligners regularly as prescribed. Clear Aligner treatment can start around age 12, when all milk teeth shed and permanent teeth are out except wisdom molars.
For best results, dentists advise wearing aligners for 22 hours a day and removing them only while eating or brushing your teeth.
Eating is not allowed with clear aligners. It can damage your aligner trays.
Depending on the condition of your dental issue, aligners may cost between INR 35,000 to 2,00,000 or even more.
