New orthodontic choice: Invisalign clear aligner, things you need to know about the risks and procedures

Neat and straight teeth present a good impression to all, but not all of us are born to have good teeth, and orthodontic treatment is an option to adjust the teeth. The traditional metal brace is the most common appliance for orthodontics, but it's also known that it doesn't give a good appearance when wearing. Now, without suffering from eating difficulties or mouth hurt, there're other ways to reveal your confidence in smiles. Clear aligner is the choice. In recent years, there have been many different brands of clear aligner in Hong Kong among which Invisalign is the most well-known one. Before choosing a treatment course, patients must clearly understand the benefits, risks and limitations of such treatment and the credibility and experience of related manufacturers in order to make the most appropriate decision for their health.

What is clear aligner or invisible aligner?

Clear aligner, also known as invisible aligner, is an orthodontic appliance that a dentist applies 3D scanning technology to customize models according to the condition of each patient. The patient only needs to wear the aligner and change it regularly with the teeth conditions to gradually achieve the orthodontic effect.

In the complete clear-aligner treatment, the dentist will first use 3D scanning technology to understand the current oral condition of the patient, and then set targets. Computer programme will suggest stages between the current and desired teeth positions, and aligners are created for each stage. The patient should change the aligners accordingly to gradually move the teeth to the preset targeted positions.

How is the effect of clear aligners?

The effect of clear aligners is the same as that of the metal braces, coupling with the following additional features.

1. No frequent follow-ups

Traditional orthodontic treatment requires regular follow-ups. Some may need to have follow-up once a week. For clear-aligner treatment, though it takes more time at the initial stage to assess the condition of the teeth, there’s no much need to check up frequently during the course of treatment. Some may have follow-ups every one to two months to examine the teeth condition and have new aligners.

2. No scratching to the mouth

The surface of the clear aligner is smooth, causing no scratching to the mouth when worn. During the treatment course, you can continue to do exercise or engage in intense physical activities. For those who don’t like the brace to cause wounds in the mouth, clear aligner would be a suitable orthodontic option.

Is clear aligner suitable for me?

Some may not be suitable for wearing clear aligners despite the above features.

Not suitable to wear clear aligners if you:

1. Don't want meal times to be restricted

No drinking or eating when wearing clear aligners. You have to remove it to have meals. If you like enjoying food and drinks whenever and wherever you like, the clear aligner that would limit your meal times is not so suitable.

2. Can't insist on wearing it

Clear aligners need to be worn for a long time to be in effect. Besides eating and teeth brushing, you need to wear it even when you sleep. Because it is removable by the patients, it posts a challenge for them to be self-disciplined and keep wearing it. If you think you're the type who would give up easily and want to remove the aligner from the mouth, metal braces that cannot be removed by yourself are more suitable.

3. Your teeth have not fully grown

Clear-aligner treatment needs to produce the molds according to the condition of the teeth. However, if the teeth are not yet developed and the wisdom teeth have not yet grown, the dentist may not be able to plot the most effective treatment for you, and the orthodontic effect would not be fully realized.

Since the treatment process and effect of clear aligners contain the above features, if you're in the following situation, you can choose the traditional metal braces to achieve the best orthodontic effect.

Condition to choose the metal braces:

Severe teeth malalignment

Metal brace is a traditional orthodontic method that its technical development is mature enough and suitable for most cases of teeth malalignment. If your teeth are severely malaligned, or your upper teeth protrude forward farther than the lower teeth (overbite), or if you need to remove four teeth to correct the alignment, it'd be better to choose metal brace, because it is more mature in technique and suitable for all types of malocclusion treatment, and it can also achieve a more accurate result. However, in cases of open bite problem or your bottom teeth extend out beyond the upper teeth (underbite), clear aligner is relatively suitable.

In fact, both metal braces and clear aligner are suitable for most cases. After all, the two are orthodontics tools, depending on which tool the dentist specializes in.

Professional consultation to plan the most suitable orthodontic treatment

Besides correcting the malaligned teeth, improving the bite and revealing your confidence in smiles, orthodontic treatment can modify your facial shape, achieving multiple effects. No matter you choose clear aligners or metal braces, seek professional dental evaluation for a comprehensive dental care service. Also, the patient should consult her/his dentist about the price, treatment duration, expected results, personal effects, etc. before making the informed decision.

#DentalBraces #Orthodontics #MetalBrace #ClearAligner #Invisalign