7 Things to Know Before Aligner Treatment

Often called “invisible braces,” clear aligners are custom-made, removable trays that are made from clear plastic. These innovative devices offer a discreet and comfortable alternative to traditional braces, employing gentle, consistent pressure to shift teeth into their desired positions gradually. Unlike orthodontic braces with visible wires and brackets, clear aligners work behind the scenes, making them a popular choice for those seeking a more aesthetically pleasing orthodontic solution ¹.  If you’re someone looking for clear aligner treatment, this guide will provide you with the necessary knowledge to make an informed choice and navigate with ease, your path to a self-assured smile with clear aligners. So, let’s discuss some important things that you should know while considering clear aligner treatment.

1. How Aligners Work? 

 Achieving a straighter smile with aligners involves a multi-step process which involves the following:

• Comprehensive Dental Assessment: Clear aligner treatment begins with a comprehensive orthodontic evaluation by taking an impression of your teeth at home to determine if they’re suitable for you¹. 
• Digital Scan-Based Treatment Planning: Digital 3D models of your teeth will be created using impression techniques, which will subsequently guide the further treatment process with clear aligners. These are used to create a comprehensive treatment plan, outlining desired tooth movements and their timing.¹ 
• Fabrication of personalized aligners: The customized treatment plan guides the fabrication of a series of personalized aligners, each designed to induce gradual tooth movement¹. Machine models are fabricated showing tooth movement and clear plastic is heated and shaped over these models to make custom aligners for each stage. Alternatively, 3D printing directly creates aligners from a special material without needing separate models².
• The smile transformation process: Aligners require consistency to be worn at least 22 hours daily to facilitate gradual tooth movement.  The patient is provided with a different set of aligners every few weeks, each set of aligners is typically worn for seven days and a new set of aligners is given to accommodate the changing positions of teeth³. Your progress will be monitored routinely to make any necessary adjustments.

With aligners, consistency is key. Ensure to wear them as instructed to achieve that flawless smile and self-confidence.  

2. What are the Benefits of Choosing Aligners Over Traditional Braces?

Choosing clear aligners over orthodontic braces offers several advantages, including:

• Aesthetic Benefits: The near invisibility of aligners makes treatment virtually undetectable, enabling you to keep your smiles and pride intact during your aligner treatment journey⁴ . 
• Enhanced Oral Health: Unlike fixed orthodontic braces, aligners can be removed for easy cleaning, promoting optimal oral hygiene⁵ and reducing the risk of plaque buildup and gum disease ⁶. 
• Quicker Results: Clear aligners often offer a shorter treatment duration compared to the time required for traditional braces. 
• Minimal Food restrictions: Clear aligners offer greater dietary flexibility compared to traditional braces, as they can be removed for eating, allowing you to enjoy a wider variety of foods⁷.
• Lesser Discomfort: Because aligners are smoother and don’t have the rough edges of metal braces, they are typically more pleasant than traditional braces.  

Aligners provide a more convenient and aesthetically pleasing orthodontic option, but the final choice depends on your dental needs and preferences.

3. Who Can Benefit from Aligner Treatment? 

Aligner treatment is suitable for a wide range of patients and is particularly beneficial for those with mild to moderate orthodontic issues⁸. Clear aligners are used to treat a variety of orthodontic conditions, including crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites⁹. For severe cases too, aligners can work, but they may require longer treatment times or may be used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances. Your orthodontist will conduct a thorough assessment of your dental condition to determine if you are a suitable candidate for clear aligner treatment. Nonetheless, the treatment is suitable for individuals of all age groups, be it children or adults or anybody looking for a discreet option for orthodontic correction. 

4. How Long Will You Need to Wear Aligners? 

The duration of treatment can vary significantly based on the complexity of the orthodontic needs. Complex cases may necessitate 18 months or longer, while moderate cases often require 3-6 months of treatment. Your orthodontist will create a customized treatment plan that specifies the anticipated treatment time frame ⁸. 

5. The Cost of Aligner Treatment: What to Expect? 

When considering invisible braces in India, it’s important to understand that the cost can vary depending upon your dental needs, location and brand used. Typically, the cost of aligners in India ranges from ₹80,000 – ₹1,20,000. But this usually includes your initial consultation, diagnostic imaging like X-rays and 3D scans, and the cost of the series of aligners needed to achieve your desired smile.  While initial cost may seem higher than orthodontic braces cost, purchasing clear aligners can be a long-term investment in your oral health and confidence¹⁰.

With aligner prices starting from ₹50,000, brands like makeO Toothsi offer affordable and high quality treatment¹¹.

6. Aligner Care: How to maintain your aligners?

To ensure you get the most out of your aligner treatment and achieve the best possible results, you need to maintain your aligners in good condition, preventing them from staining and damage. Here are some essential tips you’d need to follow to take care of your aligners:

• Avoiding hot foods items beverages like coffee and tea that can damage or stain your aligners. 
• Removing aligners before eating or drinking anything.
• Cleaning your aligners every time you remove them.
• Brushing your aligners at least once a day using a soft bristled brush, mild soap and lukewarm water.
• Placing your aligners in a safe storage box when not in use¹⁰.

Proper care will help you achieve your desired results and minimize any potential discomfort.

7. How to track your progress during treatment?

Throughout aligner treatment, monitoring your success is crucial for a successful treatment. This requires a multifaceted strategy. Regular checkups by an orthodontist are essential to track progress and make any necessary adjustments to your aligners. Along with these, certain self-monitoring techniques should also be practised. These include documenting your progress visually by taking weekly photos of your teeth and monitoring subtle shifts in your teeth’s alignment. There are some treatment tracking apps also available that help monitor progress, track aligner changes, and communicate with your orthodontist remotely¹⁴.

By diligently tracking your progress, you can stay motivated and achieve your desired smile.

Conclusion 

Clear aligners offer a modern approach to orthodontics, providing a discreet and comfortable alternative to traditional braces with enhanced patient comfort and convenience. But it’s important to thoroughly assess a few things prior to starting aligner treatment. These include your dental needs and preferences, the treatment duration, cost and benefits. Given that aligners normally need to be worn for at least 22 hours every day in order to produce the best benefits, it’s critical to comprehend the level of commitment needed. You should also evaluate your lifestyle to see if the required changes—like cleaning more frequently and taking out your aligners for meals—will be easy to incorporate into your everyday schedule. Keeping these in mind while considering aligner treatment can help you choose the right option and proceed comfortably towards achieving a beautiful smile!