Invisible dental aligners or invisalign are an increasingly popular orthodontic solution, as they offer the same (or even more) effectiveness than conventional dental braces, with the advantage of not causing the same discomfort or being visible.
What material are invisible aligners made of?
Invisible aligners are made of a thermoplastic, semi-flexible and resistant material. They are able to exert pressure on the teeth, causing them to move progressively, according to what is required to correct tooth positioning.
Are retainers and aligners the same thing?
Although they may look similar, they are different items with different functions. This is because retainers are not aligners, as they only hold the teeth in the correct position after the orthodontic treatment has been completed.
Invisible aligners, on the other hand, have the function of moving the teeth using other types of forces in order to correct tooth misalignment problems.
How can dental aesthetics be improved?
All treatments aimed at improving a patient’s dental aesthetics must take into account various aspects related to the individual’s health and appearance. For this reason, aesthetic dental treatments should always be personalized, selecting the most appropriate procedures for each case.
To do this, the dentist must carry out a facial analysis, taking into account the characteristics and proportions of the patient’s face and mouth.
Only then can he or she draw up an adjusted treatment plan that reflects which procedures are best suited to achieving the desired goal. There are different possible approaches, which can even involve combining various techniques.
What is the step-by-step treatment?
The first step is to go to a specialist’s appointment where X-rays are taken; intra- and extra-oral photographs are taken; and molds or scans of the mouth are taken.
Using proprietary software, a treatment plan can be drawn up, in which the removable aligners are designed, tailored to the patient, and the evolution of the treatment is envisioned.
Once the aligners are in place, the patient should change them every week or two weeks, as recommended by their dentist.
Can everyone use invisible aligners?
Invisible aligners can be fitted to individuals from the age of 6 and are generally indicated for the same cases that can be treated with conventional braces.
However, the dentist’s recommendation should always be listened to and followed. For example, patients with problems such as gingivitis and periodontitis should first treat these problems and only then assess the possibility of having aligners fitted, since in order to benefit from this orthodontic treatment, the gums and bones in the mouth need to be healthy and capable of fixing the teeth properly.
One of the advantages of cosmetic dentistry is that it corrects problems that affect self-esteem and self-image, such as fractured teeth damaged by cavities, stained teeth or teeth with diastemas.
Why do teeth become darkened or stained?
Natural color always varies from individual to individual. However, there are conditions that can alter the appearance of teeth and their color more drastically, such as:
- Age;
- Eating habits (such as the consumption of coffee, tea, soft drinks, red wine, etc.);
- Smoking habits;
- Insufficient or inadequate oral hygiene;
- Taking antibiotics (tetracyclines) during tooth formation;
- Fluoride ingestion;
- Systemic diseases that manifest themselves during the tooth formation phase;
- Devitalized teeth or teeth that have been traumatized for some time.
What kinds of problems can be solved using invisible aligners?
Braces are usually used to solve situations of tooth misalignment. This type of situation, in addition to having a functional impact, can affect the individual’s self-esteem, preventing them from practicing actions as simple as smiling.
Among the clinical situations that invisible aligners can solve are:
Teeth with excessive spacing between them
Overlapping, crowded or crowded teeth
Changes in the occlusion of the jaws, such as having an open or crossbite
How long should invisible aligners be worn?
As a rule, treatment with invisible aligners is quicker than with conventional dental braces. On average, these treatments can last between 6 and 18 months.
However, the length of treatment can vary depending on the severity of the case and the number of hours the patient wears the aligners. This type of appliance, although removable, should only be taken out when eating and brushing your teeth.
Invisible Aligners – Case 1
Invisible Aligners – Case 2
What are the advantages of using invisible aligners?
There are many pros to using invisible aligners. Some of these positive aspects are that they are:
- Invisible and therefore transparent and very discreet;
- Comfortable, as they are made for each patient and are therefore individually designed and adapted to the patient’s mouth. In addition, it avoids the pain caused by the brackets and wires of conventional braces, as well as preventing damage to the oral mucosa, making it unnecessary to visit the doctor;
- Simpler and easier cleaning of both teeth and aligners;
- Removable braces do not impose as many dietary restrictions;
- Fewer dental appointments are needed, since the aligners don’t need to be adjusted every month, as is the case with conventional braces. In addition, appointments are generally less time-consuming.
What tooth whitening treatments are available?
Basically, there are two types of tooth whitening available, one that can be done at home and one that must be done at the doctor’s office.
At-home teeth whitening involves the use of a personalized tray, i.e. tailored to the patient, into which a whitening gel is placed.
This tray must be placed in the patient’s mouth the number of times indicated by the dentist.
In-office tooth whitening consists of applying a gel to the tooth surface for approximately one hour, which is then activated by a laser.
Is it possible to use invisible aligners after other dental treatments?
It depends on the treatment, but it is possible to use invisible aligners after having used another orthodontic appliance or having dental implants fitted. In addition, tooth whitening is possible, unlike conventional braces.
On the other hand, prostheses, such as dental bridges, are not compatible with aligners as they do not allow the teeth to move.
What hygiene precautions should invisible aligners take?
Those who wear invisible aligners should take special care with certain dental hygiene measures, such as brushing their teeth thoroughly, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash.
As for the aligners, they should be sanitized and cleaned once a week with a special descaling material. It is also advisable to always keep your aligners in their box while you are not wearing them.
What gum treatments are available?
There are many treatments that can help improve a patient’s dental aesthetics. Some examples are: scaling (cleaning), gum plasty and gum depigmentation/lightening.
In this regard, it is important to explain that because the gums and bone support the teeth, their health has a major influence on the smile. In order to maintain the hygiene of the gum tissue, it is important to carry out regular scaling, as well as frequent checks on the condition of the gums.
At the same time, there are procedures that can be carried out to make the appearance of the gums more pleasing and thus create a more harmonious smile. For example, patients who show a lot of gum when they smile can change this situation with simple laser surgery.
Another situation that can be changed through aesthetic treatment is very dark gums, which is related to excess melanin. This can be done using a laser, which can lighten the gums in a simple and painless way, with satisfactory and long-lasting results.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The fitting of invisible aligners requires specific certification to ensure that the specialist is qualified to take responsibility for the entire process, from the manufacture of the aligners, the development of the plan, the design of the aligners, the definition of their characteristics and maintenance care.
The price of invisible aligners can vary depending on several factors, five of which stand out:
- severity of the condition: the more complex the clinical situation, the more expensive the treatment will be, as it will require more time commitment;
- duration of treatment: the longer the treatment, the more expensive it will be, as it will require more appointments and possibly more subsequent aligners;
- the need for adjustments: if a lot of adjustments to the aligners are needed during treatment, this will also make the price more expensive, as it will require extra medical appointments;
- post-treatment care: once the aligners have been removed, you may need some follow-up care, such as wearing a retainer, which will necessarily increase the cost of treatment.
- professional experience: the patient’s cooperation is very important for the success of this treatment, as is the dentist’s experience. This is because the more accurately the specialist plans, the more successful and accurate the treatment will be, without extensions that represent increased costs.
Team of Invisible Aligners
Dr. Eduardo Portela
Orthodontics | Invisible Aligners
Dra. Margarida Palmela
Orthodontics | Invisible Aligners
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