No secrets: all stages of treatment with aligners

A good replacement for braces are teeth straightening aligners made of elastic material. From this article you will learn about the differences between the design and braces and its effectiveness.

Aligners are removable orthopedic structures used in dentistry to correct minor defects in the dentition and bite. Outwardly, they are similar to the mouthguards that boxers use to protect their teeth.

For production, elastic materials are used, which form a transparent overlay after melting.

The principle of operation is based on slight pressure from the aligner, as a result of which the alveolar tissue is slightly resorbed.

This allows the tooth to move in the right direction. The pressure force is moderate, so it will not be possible to correct complex malocclusions and uneven teeth using a silicone mouth guard.

Stages of treatment

Treatment of minor malocclusions and crooked teeth with aligners is performed in stages.

1. At the first consultation with a doctor, an examination of the oral cavity is performed. Diseases of the teeth and oral mucosa are identified, and various methods are used to eliminate the inflammatory process and caries.
2. Next, together with the orthodontist, the type of aligners is selected , after which a treatment plan is developed.
3. Impressions are taken from both jaws. The working material is a special mass with a pleasant mint taste. The cast hardens in just a couple of minutes.
4. The silicone impression is sent to the dental technician's laboratory , where he makes a plaster model of the aligner. After this, the specialist manually adjusts each tooth.
5. The treatment process is divided into stages, for each of them a different aligner model is developed. The number of trays in the set is determined by the complexity of the defect and the anatomical features of the patient’s jaw.
6. At a doctor’s appointment, the patient tries on the first aligner and receives recommendations for further use of the aligners, as well as for caring for the structure.

What is cheaper – braces or aligners?

Consultation with an orthodontist

• X-ray panoramic image
• Oral examination
• Drawing up a treatment plan with costs

Price : 2,000 ₽
*if treatment continues in the clinic according to the plan, the consultation is not paid

If you are wondering what to prefer - aligners or braces - price is not always the main selection criterion. In some cases, the cost of treatment with standard orthodontic systems and transparent aligners can be the same. For example, if we are talking about the use of sapphire or ceramic bracket systems, the prices for them are considered identical to aligners. Ligature devices made of metal are considered more affordable in cost.

There are differences in payment procedures:

1. A set of transparent trays necessary for the complete correction process is manufactured at a time. After this, they are transferred to the patient. The need to visit a specialist is present only once every two months - for consultation.
2. If you use traditional braces, at each return visit to the orthodontist you will need to pay an additional fee for replacing certain elements.

In turn, a negative point when treating with transparent aligners is the increased likelihood of damage or loss. Sometimes there is a need to replace them - in case of significant cracks or a noticeable change in shade. Braces are also susceptible to fractures. Often, carious lesions may appear under such devices, which requires additional treatment costs.

In Implantmaster dentistry, the cost of installing transparent aligners has a lower limit of 350 thousand rubles. When fixing ceramic or metal braces in our clinic, you will have to pay from 250 thousand rubles.

Contraindications to treatment with aligners

Experts identify a number of restrictions on the use of aligners to correct dental defects. These include:

• destruction of alveolar bone tissue;
• acute periodontal diseases;
• tartar;
• skeletal abnormalities of the jaw;
• TMJ diseases;
• somatic disorders;
• impacted teeth.

The decision to correct a bite with braces is difficult for patients. The main reason is the duration of such treatment and the lack of attractiveness of braces. Using clear aligners to straighten teeth has become the most acceptable option to correct the situation.

At the moment, there are various ways to correct a bite. One of the most modern and effective are aligners for teeth straightening. They are manufactured and selected taking into account the characteristics and wishes of the client.

How long should you wear aligners?

18 hours a day is the optimal minimum wearing time. The total duration of treatment depends on the complexity of the case and in each situation this issue is resolved individually. A good dentist in Moscow familiarizes the patient with all the stages and nuances before installing aligners.

Reception write with aligners and braces

Since it is not possible to remove the braces before eating, the patient must adhere to a strict diet: solid foods must be crushed, and during the correction it is necessary to exclude the intake of seeds and nuts. When it comes to using aesthetic devices, all dishes with food dyes are excluded from the diet.

In the case of using transparent aligners, there are no restrictions on removing the structures while eating food. The main rule is to brush your teeth before fixing the aligners again.

Aligners for bite alignment

Aligners are elastic transparent trays that are applied to the entire dentition. They resemble trays used to lighten enamel. The patient can put on and take off the aligners on their own; it doesn’t hurt at all. Unlike braces, they do not need to be worn constantly. The aligners can be removed before eating or brushing your teeth.

You can learn all about them from your orthodontist. The main purpose of aligners is to correct the bite. They apply imperceptible and painless pressure on the teeth, directing them in the desired direction. The main requirement is to wear them at least 18 hours a day. The wearing time may vary if the bite defect is too noticeable and severe. In case of serious disorders, mouth guards must be worn constantly.

Aligners are made from a synthetic transparent material. This makes them almost invisible, which is very important for those who are worried about their smile after installing braces. Also, mouth guards do not require wearing for years.

Typically, aligners are made as a set and given to the patient in several pieces. The doctor will schedule. After some time, one mouth guard is replaced by another.

The material is selected in such a way as not to injure teeth and gums, provoke an allergic reaction or cause discomfort. This is not a scam, this is the optimal solution!

Advantages of braces systems

Braces are noticeable on the teeth when smiling and while talking, and this is one of their main disadvantages. They can cause inconvenience and a feeling of embarrassment and require adaptation and careful care. But their effectiveness easily covers these shortcomings. This technique has many advantages:

• braces are more rigid and exert strong pressure on the teeth, increasing the effectiveness of correction and accelerating the result;
• suitable for correcting dental anomalies in complex cases, where aligners are powerless;
• suitable for adults and children.

But even with their high effectiveness, the patient will have to visit the doctor repeatedly and on a regular basis, and treatment can last from several months to several years.

To minimize the aesthetic defect during treatment, you can use ceramic, sapphire or ligature braces, which are installed on the inside of the teeth. They are not so noticeable, but it is impossible to completely hide them. In addition, ligature systems may not be used in all clinical cases.

When wearing braces, you will have to comply with serious dietary restrictions. It is necessary to avoid or minimize the presence in the diet of foods that are too hard, hard and stick to the teeth.

Braces require more careful oral hygiene. The patient needs to brush not only his teeth, but also scrupulously clean all structural elements where food particles may become clogged. Otherwise, plaque will be deposited in hard-to-reach places and cause bad breath, the development of dental diseases, and caries.

Popular aligner manufacturers

Aligners are a relatively new invention in dentistry. They began to be actively used in the early 2000s. Initially, they were produced only by an American company, but then other countries began to produce high-quality aligners.

At the moment, the most popular manufacturers of aligners are:

• Star Smile. The price of these mouthguards is not that high since they do not have to be shipped from the USA. The aligners are manufactured in Moscow, but using American technology. The mouthguards are also changed every 2 weeks, the course of treatment is up to 15 months.
• Orthosnap. One of the cheapest aligners. Computer modeling is not used in their manufacture, so it is difficult to judge their effectiveness.
• Clear Correct. These mouth guards are suitable even for those who have very sensitive gums and have a reaction to synthetic materials. They are made in the USA.
• Invisalign. Invisalign appeared on the Russian market earlier than other aligners. Therefore, many dentists prefer to trust this brand. These aligners are usually changed every 2 weeks. They are highly effective, but the price is also quite high.

It is worth clarifying that in the clinic the doctor only takes pictures and modeling. The aligners themselves are manufactured in the country where the manufacturer is located.

Aesthetic characteristics of aligners and braces

The aesthetic criterion is fundamental when implementing orthodontic treatment. In the production of aligners, special transparent plastic is used, which ensures almost impeccable aesthetics. According to the manufacturers, even with close communication, others will not understand that you have transparent aligners installed.

Trying to independently understand the difference between braces and aligners, many focus on this indicator – the visibility of the structure on the teeth. However, today you can find devices that are highly aesthetic, for example, sapphire or ceramic braces. In this case, the shade of the locks adapts to the natural tone of the enamel, and the wire is made of transparent material. Moreover, lingual models of braces have now been developed, which are fixed on the inside of the jaw. This makes them almost invisible even during close dialogue with others.

Obvious pros and cons of aligners and braces

If you are faced with a choice between braces or aligners, and want to find out the orthodontist’s opinion on this issue, experts do not recommend focusing on cost. The fact is that the inflated price of transparent mouth guards is made up for by the numerous advantages of their use. This is an aesthetic component, increased wearing comfort, and the absence of dietary restrictions.

If you have any doubts about the treatment method, consult our experienced specialists. We will perform a study of the dentofacial system using modern X-ray and orthopantomogram methods, carefully examine its condition and select an orthodontic device option that will best cope with the aesthetic problem. Implantmaster specialists also provide services in the field of creating digital impressions using the latest 3Shape Trios scanner, carry out 3D modeling of each stage of treatment in three-dimensional format with visual animation of the transformation process, make impressions, fix a suitable orthodontic device and give recommendations regarding its further care .

Author:

Consequences of malocclusion

When postponing orthodontic treatment, a person should understand what health problems a malocclusion can cause. Not only an unsightly smile or facial asymmetry, which can be ignored, but also gastrointestinal pathologies, poor posture, and joint pain. The oral cavity is the initial link in the digestive system.

Therefore, we can highlight the most likely consequences of malocclusion:

1. Pathological processes in the oral cavity. The non-anatomical arrangement of units leads to disruption of the distribution of chewing load, abrasion of the surface layer of enamel and the formation of caries. In severe clinical cases, inflammatory processes in the gums may develop, which will lead to tooth loss.
2. Gastrointestinal diseases. Impaired jaw closure prevents the food bolus from forming correctly when chewing food, which can cause diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, reflux, heartburn).
3. Diseases of the ENT organs. A type of dental pathology - an open bite leads to breathing through the mouth, which causes the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx to dry out. This creates excellent conditions for the life of bacteria and the development of inflammation in the respiratory tract.
4. Asymmetry of facial features. The predominance in size of one of the jaws, or its underdevelopment, leads to a violation of the proportions of the face. The chin may protrude strongly forward or the profile may be flat.
5. TMJ pathologies. Increased chewing load on incorrectly positioned units due to occlusion pathology has a great impact on the joint. There is pain when opening the mouth and clenching the jaws, and clicking sounds when chewing food. Without proper treatment of malocclusion, taking into account the functioning of the joint, arthritis, ankylosis and fibromyalgia can develop.
6. Speech therapy disorders. Incorrect position of teeth and jaws in relation to each other, disturbances in the closure of lips - all this interferes with the correct pronunciation of sounds. It influences correct speech perception and general literacy.

Some complications accumulate from childhood, but only appear many years later (in older age) (such as joint pain, gastrointestinal diseases). Orthodontic therapy should be started as early as possible and not wait for unpleasant complications to arise. If you suspect crowding of units or a difference in the size of the jaws, you must immediately make an appointment with a specialist. Correction of bite in adults is possible using various techniques that are suitable specifically for their clinical case, age and financial capabilities .

Operating principle

Braces

Braces are non-removable equipment in which the main acting force is an arch secured with clasps to each tooth. The arch has shape memory and, placed in braces, tends to return to its original position, due to which it gradually moves the teeth to the desired position. The clasps (braces) can be metal or transparent, but the arch will always have a metallic sheen and will be noticeable to others. In addition, during treatment with braces, additional devices are used: springs, buttons, elastics, chains.

Aligners

Aligners are a set of transparent removable trays that are fixed on the teeth using attachments (protrusions made of filling material on the surface of the tooth). The trays sit tightly on the teeth and gradually move them in the direction specified by the attachments.

Effective models

In their practice, specialists from our network of clinics use orthodontic aligners that meet the following requirements:

• high impact efficiency;
• harmlessness to human health;
• Positive assessment from patients and orthodontists

Many types of aligners meet these requirements, but the following models are especially popular:

• Invisaling (USA) - made to individual sizes from thin polymer, practically invisible to a prying eye. The advantage is that it can be used from the age of 8;
• FlexiLigner - effective in difficult cases: open and cross bites, dystopia (deviation from the correct growth vector), rotation (rotation).
• KidsLight - this line is a modification of the FlexiLiner brand for children over 5 years old.