Teeth Aligners

Why teeth alignment is essential :

Now a days minor irregularities or slightly mal aligned teeth have become a common phenomena due to various reasons, such as prolonged habits, genetics etc. These mal alignments may range from merely unnoticeable to severe cases which compromises the normal aesthetics and also the function. Severe mal aligned teeth may not only cause issues regarding the normal function such as chewing, speaking, breathing but also affects the psychological well-being of an individual.

The abnormal alignment of upper and lower teeth is called as Misaligned teeth. Mal alignments will definitely play a significant role in increasing the Gum disease and tooth cavities. The contemporary advanced and sophisticated innovations in the field of Dentistry have paved the way in treating the misaligned teeth easily, thereby resulting in the re-creation of stunning smiles. Proper alignment of teeth is the key factor for a beautiful and healthy smile & also proper function with minimal exposure to bacterial activity.

The following affects may occur due to misaligned teeth:

1. Difficulty in chewing.

2. Crowding may cause impacted or damaged teeth.

3. Jaw problems leading to earaches, headaches and pain while chewing.

4. Gaps between the teeth will reduce the strength of the individual tooth prone to easily fracture.

5. Crowding of teeth may cause infection, further affecting the bone due to food lodgment and reduced cleaning ability.

Role of Genetics in malocclusion:

Dental experts strongly agree that genes are the key factors for conditions like malocclusion, color of the eye, pattern of hair etc. Generally malocclusion or mal aligned teeth occur due to discrepancies in the jaw size and size of the teeth. 1. If the jaw size is proportionately more to size of the teeth , it leads to spacing in between the teeth. 2. If the jaw size is proportionately less to  size of the teeth, it leads to crowding of teeth.

Other reasons for malocclusion:

1. Thumb sucking during childhood.

2. Mouth breathing during childhood.

3. Early loss of milk teeth.

4. Prolonged bottle feeding of milk.

5. Injuries.

Malocclusion alters the oral health:

Apart from psychological well-being, untreated malocclusion can cause several dental problems which includes Tooth decay, Tooth loss, Gum disease, Halitosis, Dryness of mouth due to mouth breathing, lack of lip seal, Difficulty in chewing, speech difficulties.

Stop hiding Start smiling:

Smile is a feature of muscles of facial expression. Teeth undoubtedly have become the additional asset for a beautiful and wholesome smile. A beautiful smile is like unzipping a bag with shining treasure inside it. There are many benefits in having properly aligned teeth, and everyone should invest in a healthy smile.

Benefits of having Aligned teeth:

1. Better Alignment of teeth  --> Better chewing --> Better Digestion.

As chewing along the salivary enzymes is the first step of digestion process.

2. Healthy teeth.

 Aligned teeth are less prone for food lodgment, bacterial growth and are with self cleansing ability.

3. Better speech.

Comfortable in delivering the speech without any difficulty unlike in severe forwardly proclined anterior teeth.

4. Reduced risk of fractures and cracks.

The famous phrase saying ‘unity is strength’ applies here. Perfectly aligned teeth with interdental contacts itself stays as a unit, able to bear reasonable amounts of force thus reducing the risk of fractures.

5. Boosts Self-Confidence.

People with aligned teeth and good smile tend to socialize and interact more comfortably and confidently compared to rest, where most of our daily activities involves one to one or one to many interactions.

How does Aligners work:

In this contemporary world where technology is spinning its wheel in the field of dentistry, Aligners are actually at the top of the list. Everybody wants a great smile but most of us need help having that. More and more people are having success with clear orthodontic devices called aligners. Braces use brackets connected by wires for the teeth to move. Aligners are a series of tight fitting custom made mouth pieces that slip over the teeth.

To start your teeth straightening process, we have to be aware of all the options modern orthodontics has and choose the best option available for our treatment. Aligners (invisible braces) like other types of braces, work by gradually shifting teeth in to ideal position making the teeth straight. This can be achieved through wearing a series of aligners each for 2 weeks at a time which move the teeth by 0.3mm per aligner until the ideal alignment has been achieved. Aligners are also named as ‘clear braces’ or ‘transparent braces’ because they are transparent, which means we will be able to wear them anywhere and in front of people without them staring at our teeth, as it usually happens with the metal braces or even ceramic braces.

How does Aligners differ from Braces :

Braces apply a PULL force that gradually shift teeth into place whereas Aligners use PUSH force to rotate the teeth. Each aligner we wear, makes a smooth, very mild rotation more preferable for adults without any pain or Gum disease.

The surprising thing is that each aligner will actually move the teeth into desired position within the first 24hours of the wear. But we insist people to wear each set for 14 days as it has been found to be most suitable time for to allow the bones and gum to settle in their new position, and to make sure that the teeth will not rotate back. The duration of the treatment and the number of aligner sets required is strictly based on the severity and complexity of the mal alignment of the teeth.

Aligners like other types of teeth Braces work by gradually shifting teeth into the desired position, making the teeth straight. Same as we can’t make our body perfect by going to the gym at once, with aligners we need to take one step at a time, wear them on a regular basis and follow our orthodontist recommendations and get a great smile we always wanted.

How are Clear aligners made:

Clear aligners are an introduction to the modern dentistry, that not only raised the advancement but also made it convenient and fearless for the people. With the help of advanced technology, aligners are made digitally using a thermoplastic material that gives a code of invisibility.

Step by step process:

Just like the other orthodontic principles, clear aligners also follow the same path. It is used to create the movement of teeth, correcting the misaligned teeth. The invisible trays are invisible, customized, and active for the movement in the teeth by keeping the invisible feature exactly the same.

A. Dental clinic steps:

1. Making impressions of the teeth: For the treatment of braces, impressions are made but for the clear aligners, digital impressions are made so that accurate aligners will be made that will fit properly inside the mouth. These impressions are made using a 3D or 5D scanner

2. Taking the intra-oral and also extra-oral pictures of the recipient: It is very important to know that what exactly has to be done during the stages of improvement. Hence, images are taken for the record and to see the changes and accordingly decide the further plan.

3. Taking X-rays: Before carrying up any treatment, x-ray is taken to see the condition of bone and the teeth.

B. Laboratory steps:

1. Scanning : The impression that is made is scanned or the dentition is directly scanned with the intra-oral scanner to get the replica of the teeth and plan the treatment accordingly. The 3D models are made in the end which gives an accuracy about the planned treatment.

2. 3D models : 3D models are a procedure, where it is prepared using a technology called 3D printing that is done by light sensitive liquified resin which solidifies when exposed to a laser. Later, the models are prepared by using the material called thermoplastic to achieve the best results

3. Manufacture of Aligners : The purpose of wearing aligner is different for everyone. The main thing about it is, it corrects the misalignment of teeth.

4. Quality check : Before giving it to the patient, it is necessary to check clear aligners again. To avoid any false situation it is necessary to know the fact that proper checking should be done.

Following instructions to be followed while opting clear aligner :

 

1.       The aligner is to be worn 20 – 22 hours a day.

 

2.       Switch to the next set after 2weeks.

 

3.       Set the aligner with the help of chewing.

 

4.       Proper fixing and removal are important.

 

5.       Attachments to be in place if not necessary to be removed.

 

6.       Cleaning of the aligner is important and maintaining good oral hygiene.

 
About the author:

Name: Dr. Abhilash Dandy

Qualification: B.D.S

I graduated as a Dentist from Sibar Institute of Dental Sciences, Guntur. I have done my externship program at Rutgers school of dental medicine, New Jersey, USA. I have clinical experience of 3 years and currently working as Administrative head — Dental wing in MediCub India, Hyderabad.