Orthodontics without Braces – Clear Aligners

Orthodontics without Braces – Clear Aligners

Orthodontic treatment without wires and braces is possible with clear aligner series moving your teeth in small quantities.

How does Clear Aligners Work?

Clear aligners work by moving teeth in small quantities. Each aligner makes teeth closer to the ideal position that we want. When the new aligner is applied, the aligner will be tight and make pressure until the teeth get used to their new position. This condition will last 2 days and then your aligner will fit passively. Subsequently the same aligner should be used for 12 days to provide adaptation of teeth in their new position. 

 How Are Clear Aligners Produced?

Primarily you should be examined by an orthodontist and learn if you are suitable for clear aligner treatment. You can be informed about if you can be treated with clear aligners or not according to expectations of the patient and complexity of the case. The most important step is having impressions after having confirmation from your doctor that you are a suitable candidate for clear aligner treatment. Impressions can be taken by using traditional impression and plaster models or by using intra oral scanning method directly. New positions of your teeth are arranged on those models and you may see the post treatment appearance of your teeth and discuss with your doctor. Your aligners are produced according to this analysis by three dimensional printers.  When your aligners are ready, you will be called to come and take the first one. Small composite ‘buttons’ are prepared on teeth if necessary to help and provide more effective teeth movement.  You should wear your aligners for two weeks continuously except for meals. In other words they should be worn for 22 hours a day.

What are the Advantages of Clear Aligners?

• They are invisible. They don’t look like wire and braces like traditional braces.
• The appliance won’t be inside the mouth during cleaning and brushing so there is no need for a different brushing procedure from your previous brushing method. Only remove your aligner, brush your teeth and wear your aligner again. That’s all.
• There is no food limitation during the treatment. You may remove your aligner and eat whatever you want  and then wear your aligner back.
• It may be told that they have more advantages in terms of protection of teeth and periodontal health during treatment.

Problems About Clear Aligners

Usually patients may complain about buttons.

They may be bend, deformed during wearing and removing it. Therefore you should be gentle. If you have any problem, you should contact with your doctor.

Incorrect planning may lead weak results.

Some food which were consumed without removing the aligner may lead discoloring.

If you won’t keep the aligner in it’s special box when you remove it, you may loose it. In this case your treatment may be disrupted.

Clear aligners are a good alternative for patients who had orthodontic treatment previously and having minor relapses and patients who want to have an appropriate smile but also don’t want to wear braces. Take an appointment immediately from your orthodontist to learn if you are suitable for clear aligner treatment or not.