Do you really aligners for your teeth?

Teeth straightening is as popular and as common as hair straightening among teenagers and young adults nowadays. Most people pay less heed to their physical appearance, but make sure their smile is perfect and radiant. People these days are more conscious or worried about their crooked teeth being noticed by people, especially when it comes to a casual meeting with friends, events, or a first date. Naturally, one is desperate to get a perfectly aligned set of teeth, hence most end up choosing braces or aligners to get their teeth aligned.

Young adults and teenagers often make decisions based on what their peers think or do, and it is of utmost importance to them. However, sometimes what they don’t realize is that they may be getting it wrong. Aligners are not DIY and require detailed evaluation of your teeth by dentists for results to be seen. Want to find out if you are the right candidate for aligners? Scroll down to know more.

What are aligners?

Aligners are dental devices that move the teeth into their proper position. There are two different types of aligners. There are visible braces and invisible/clear aligners. Everyone is aware of visible traditional braces to align crooked teeth. But what’s the hype about clear or invisible aligners?

Invisible or clear aligners look like clear trays and are used as an alternative to metal braces. They are thermoplastic, flexible tray-like appliances that tightly fit onto your teeth. Aligners exert slight pressure on your teeth and gradually move them into their final position. They cannot be shared and have to be custom-made for each patient. Your dentist plans the amount of movement required on a computerized model and then sends it to the lab for fabrication. They have to be worn continuously for at least 20 hours a day for desired results. When compared to braces; aligners are removable and changed after every 7-14 days. The treatment period on average takes about 18 months, but it varies from person to person depending upon how crooked your teeth are.

What are the types of clear aligners for teeth?

Clear aligners are of two types in-office and at-home aligners.

• In-office aligners- These aligners are developed and designed by authorized dentists, and the treatment is performed by a team of competent dental professionals. Your dentist will take detailed measurements of your teeth via scanning devices, then create custom-fit trays that will gradually move your teeth into place. As they expand in size over time; you'll get a new tray every few weeks as your teeth continue to shift into place. Once all your teeth are straightened, the dentist will remove the aligner trays and give you retainers to wear afterward so that their new positions don't change again after treatment ends. Though these are found expensive by the patients; they come with high-quality results, patient comfort, and optimum maintenance of oral health. Any discrepancies in the fit of the aligners can irritate your gums. This is well managed by none other than your dentist.
• At-home aligners- You must have tried online shopping where you just have to mention your clothing size and the type of dress you want. Within some days it is delivered to your doorstep. At home, aligners work on the same concept. You have to send the impression of your teeth, and then the aligners are delivered to you in no matter of time. However, the major drawback is the lack of your detailed 3D evaluation, which can result in a misfit of the aligners. Also, the products used to compromise quality issues and can cause dental problems. Because you do not see your dentist on a regular basis, your treatment is not properly evaluated and you may not be able to avoid future dental problems post your aligner treatment.

What do aligners actually do?

We all want to look our best. When you're wearing a dazzling red dress or your hair is perfectly styled you feel like you have got your life together. But what about when you're in the middle of an unsightly gap between your teeth? What if your crooked or mal-aligned teeth keep peeping out? And suddenly your world is upside down. You want your teeth to look as perfect as your overall appearance.

That’s where aligners come into the picture. Aligners are the most common type of orthodontic appliance, and they're used to straighten teeth and bring them into alignment. They move your teeth a little bit every day, helping to gradually shift them into their new positions. They're also removable, so you can take them out when you eat or brush your teeth. Clear aligners are transparent and less visible in your mouth. That's the reason they are the most commonly preferred treatment option. So why do we need them?

Your upper and lower teeth come in contact in a specific manner when they are in healthy positions. Straight, well-aligned teeth are important not just for the appearance of your smile, but also to maintain healthy conditions of your teeth and gums. For most people who aren't born with perfect teeth and have to undergo orthodontic treatment (braces), aligners provide a way to achieve the same effect as braces without having to wear metal wires on your teeth and tolerate six months of discomfort.

When you get your first aligner, you'll wear it for about two weeks. The second aligner will be worn for about two months, and so on until you've reached your final position.

Who needs clear aligners?

Aligners can be used as an alternative to braces or as part of a treatment plan that includes braces. They’re perfect for adults who want to straighten their teeth quickly and easily, without having to wear an uncomfortable retainer at night. However, not all cases can be treated with aligners too. You need aligners if you suffer from the following conditions:

• You have mild gaps (spacing) between your teeth. This can affect your appearance and how your teeth fit together when you chew.
• You have teeth crowding (looks like many teeth are cramped in a small space). If one tooth is too close to another, it can cause problems like gum disease, tooth decay, or even loss of a tooth.
• You have an underbite, overbite, or crossbite that makes it hard to chew or bite down on food properly.
• Overlapping of teeth on each other.
• You have flared protruding upper front teeth (upper front teeth seem to peep out)
• You don’t want to wear braces because the wires and brackets do not make you look good.

Understanding who does not need clear aligners.

Clear aligners do not work for everyone. So If you are planning to get clear aligners because your best friend did so; you are going wrong. If you have the following conditions, clear aligners may not be right for you:

• You have severe mal-alignment or rotation of teeth. If your teeth require movements from the root of teeth.
• You have a very small mouth.
• You are under 18 years old and still growing.
• You have had previous orthodontic treatment or wear retainers at night to keep your teeth from shifting back into their original position after braces were removed.
• You have active tooth decay or gum disease.
• If you have had braces in the past and are looking to improve or maintain your results, then clear aligner therapy may not be the best option for you.

Alternative options other than clear aligners

Wondering what if clear aligners are not the right choice for you? You can consult your dentist for the following options:

• Traditional metal braces: They include metal brackets that are bonded to the tooth. A metal wire is passed through them to apply the force and move the teeth into the desired position.
• Ceramic braces: They are comparable to standard braces, except that the brackets are made of ceramic, which appears translucent and clear white. As a result, they are more attractive than regular braces.
• Lingual braces: Lingual braces are similar to conventional braces but they are attached to the back of your teeth, on the tongue (lingual) side. They're almost invisible since they're hidden between your teeth.
• Veneers: Veneers are similar to "capped teeth," which you may probably be familiar with. They are suitable for you if you have gaps, fractures, and poorly shaped or contoured teeth.
• Accelerated orthodontics: Your orthodontic treatment will be improved with Accelerated Orthodontics. The procedure utilizes a method known as micro-osteoperforation, which weakens the bones of your jaw. This loosens the teeth just enough to allow them to move when the dentist applies pressure.

Do you really need an aligner?

Still confused if you are eligible for clear aligners or not? Your dentists is the best to decide what alignment procedure is best for you and what are your treatment options. You could video consult with real time dentists and clear aligner specialists (on the DentalDost App) to know what is best suited for you. You can also take the self scan on your phone (click here to scan your teeth on your phone) to know the severity of malalignment of your teeth.

Bottom Line

The truth is that clear aligners did not come out of anywhere, like the tooth fairy. They are the result of a careful, methodical evaluation by the dentists. If you have minor variations in the positioning of your teeth, clear aligners are best for you. However, for more complex cases, you may require additional treatment. Whether you are the right candidate for clear aligners or not is best determined by your dentist.

Highlights

• Aligners are the appliances used to straighten teeth and align them into their proper position.
• Aligners can be used as an alternative to braces that prevents you from enduring years of discomfort.
• They can be at-home aligners or In-office aligners.
• However, aligners are not DIY and hence in-office aligners provide the best results without compromising on quality.
• You cannot just go and buy an aligner like your medicines. They require a detailed evaluation by your dentist.
• If you are confused whether you really need an aligner or not; scan on our dental dost app and know if you are the right candidate or not.