Dental alignment with clear aligners have changed the face of orthodontic care for good. While people often put off fixing their dental problems because of the apprehension of wearing metal braces, that outlook has completely changed with the advent of clear aligners now. Aligners are made of smooth, BPA-free plastic and work just as well as metal braces in eliminating a variety of misalignment problems, including crooked, crowded as well as gapped teeth. Clear aligners are made by first creating an accurate impression of the teeth with a mold or 3D scan which is then used to create a series of aligner trays, where each tray is slightly tighter than the previous ones. These trays fit snugly over the teeth and can easily be removed by the patient when its time to eat/drink or brush teeth, thus making dental hygiene maintenance very easy. They are meant to be worn for at least 20-22 hours daily, failing which, treatment time can become prolonged. Each tray needs to be replaced every 1-2 weeks as per the orthodontist. With time, the aligners slowly move the teeth to their desired position. The best part of treatment with clear aligners is that visits to the orthodontist are very limited, hence there is no need to take time off from work frequently. And when its time for you to choose a clear aligner brand, go with trusted brands like OrthoFX and say goodbye to your dental problems forever. OrthoFX clear aligners employ advanced technologies like their revolutionary triple-layered material and a dual shelled design which offer faster and better results. They are more comfortable to use too.
What conditions can Clear Aligners treat?
Overbite - This condition occurs when the upper front teeth overlap over the lower front teeth more than is considered normal. While a mild overbite is needed for regular function, excess overbite can result in wearing out of teeth, speech issues and jaw joint (TMJ) problems. Some of the other difficulties arising due to an overbite include biting and chewing difficulties. Clear aligners can be used to correct overbites and align the upper and lower teeth so that only a slight overlap is left behind. Very severe overbites might need additional treatment modalities. Underbite - Clear aligners can be used to fix underbites too. This condition is the opposite of an overbite and here, its the lower teeth that stick out over the front upper teeth. It can result in teeth wearing out, speech difficulties as well as lower jaw misalignment. Clear aligners work by tilting the lower front teeth backwards and the front upper teeth in forward position. In rare instances when the underbite is severely misaligned and the lower mandibular jaw juts forward, then the orthodontist might decide to use clear aligners in combination with other procedures. Crossbite - This misalignment can happen when some of the upper front teeth bite down onto the inner surface of the lower front teeth. In such a situation, the teeth and the jaws do not close naturally and result in unnatural wear and tear of the front teeth along with problems involving the jaw joint (TMJ). It also results in ineffective processing of food. Clear aligners can correct crossbites by guiding the upper teeth towards the lips and cheeks and shifting the lower teeth towards the tongue. What is essentially being done here is widening or narrowing of the jaw arches so that they are better aligned. If the crossbite is very severe and complicated, then other procedures might be used along with the clear aligners. Open bite - This awkward bite occurs when the back teeth are aligned and close properly, but the front upper and lower teeth have a gap, leaving an opening even when the jaws are closed. Open bites are a little complicated and involve the facial bones in the upper and lower jaw. The problem arises due to prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use. Clear aligners can be used to correct mild to moderate cases of open bites, but might need some additional treatment in severely affected cases. Crowded teeth - This problem arises when the jaw doesn't have enough space to house all the teeth, resulting in an overlapping and twisted appearance. Crowded teeth are also more prone to tooth decay as its easy for food to get lodged and plaque build-up in the hard-to-reach spaces between teeth. If there is space available for movement, then clear aligners can straighten out the teeth to create a better smile. In some instances, the orthodontist will first need to widen out the jaw arches to create more room for teeth movement. Gaps - Spacing issues between teeth arise when there is extra room in the mouth. While gaps create aesthetic issues with your smile, they are also more prone to food getting lodged between them resulting in tooth decay, cavities and gum disease. Closing these gaps with clear aligners not only improves your smile but also improves oral health. Do note that while clear aligners can correct the above-mentioned conditions, each case is unique and dependent on its severity and complexity.
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