Clear aligners have been around for a few decades now. But with progress in orthodontics and overall advancement of technology, there has been a significant rise in their levels of efficiency and comfort. With multiple benefits such as each of use and being esthetically more appealing, clear aligners have slowly become one of the top choices for teeth-straightening. 

Basics

Clear aligners are removable plastic molds or trays that fit your teeth like a glove. . They are transparent and custom-made 3D prints of a patient’s exact teeth alignment. A series of clear aligners are prepared after thorough examination and diagnosis by a dentist or orthodontist through an exam, 3D scans and x-rays. Each set of OrthoFX aligners are worn for a week at a time as they gradually move the teeth toward its desired position. The next set of aligners begin their work from this point and move the teeth some more – each week at a time safely. This way, with gentle push force, the alignment of the teeth is changed to achieve the much-anticipated smile. The desired result also depends on the orthodontist’s diagnosis, expertise in assessing the final alignment,  proper function, and monitoring the aligners progress in moving the teeth properly.

Advantages 

Clear aligners score high when it comes to advantages. They are almost invisible, do not affect your self-esteem in public, can be easily removed while eating, do not get in the way of daily oral care, and are more comfortable than metal braces. However, clear aligners also help solve a lot of dental problems. Crooked teeth, overcrowded teeth, gap teeth, crossbite, underbite, overbite, and open bite are some of the common teeth issues. These irregularities in teeth alignment arise from a number of reasons including genetics, injury, childhood bad habits, jaw bone structures, etc. and can lead to several oral health problems like plaque, tooth decay, gum diseases, chewing difficulties, and speech impediments. Hence, while clear aligners are the best bet for a great smile, they are not meant only for cosmetic purposes. Well aligned teeth and bite function ensure long term oral health. 

Success 

The most important factor that dictates the success of treatment with clear aligners is a patient’s discipline levels. Clear aligners are meant to be worn for at least 20-22 hours a day. The longer they stay in your mouth, the faster they work. Any deviation in this could prolong/extend treatment. Most clear aligners are equipped to treat mild to most comprehensive cases of malocclusion. With research and innovation, they have shown as much potential as metal braces. Although clear aligners are ideal for adults and teens, it has also been noticed that they work faster in young adults than those in their 60s and above. 

The above gives a fair idea of how clear aligners work and what are the chances of success when treating teeth misalignment with them, along with their multiple advantages. If you are wondering whether to go for it or not and would they actually be a good choice in terms of efficiency, it is best to check with your orthodontist or dentist. OrthoFX has an experienced network of local expert doctors who can provide a thorough evaluation and make a recommendation best for you. 

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_aligners

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7018497/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6343314/