Since the end of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of people resorting to invisible orthodontics has skyrocketed. Problems such as dental crowding or misalignment, which until a few years ago were corrected with the famous metal braces, have come to be treated with these transparent aligners that can be easily removed and put on.
If you are thinking about using one or are simply curious about how this dental alignment method works, I invite you to continue reading.
What is invisible orthodontics?
It is an orthodontic treatment that aims to correct bad positions or deviations of the teeth, using removable transparent aligners custom-made for each patient with the help of a computer program that scans our mouth and allows us to see how It will be the final result from day one.
It is painful?
It is especially annoying when you have to change phases and start with a new pair of aligners.. You will notice that they put pressure on your teeth, especially in the first days of the change, but it is necessary and an indicator that they are being positioned correctly.
Can I lead a normal life with her?
If by normal life we mean eating and drinking everything, with invisible orthodontics on we cannot. We can drink water without a problem, but if we want to drink infusions, coffee or soft drinks, we must first remove the aligners.. The same thing happens with food, we can eat whatever we want but always after removing them.. And at the end, before putting them back in, we must brush our teeth.
So, can I take them off whenever I want?
Correct, you remove them and put them on with a simple gesture, but if we want to do the treatment well and achieve the expected results, we must wear the splints for at least 20 hours each day.
How do I know which splint to wear?
The splints are numbered and packaged in pairs. The orthodontist, on a calendar, will tell you which day you should move forward and change the pair of splints for the next to progress in dental alignment.
Are just these aligners enough to correct everything?
It depends on each case, so it must be assessed individually.. Sometimes it will be necessary to place extra elements such as attachments, rubber bands or microscrews to help the aligner grip the teeth or to rotate and move very misplaced teeth.
What if I lose an aligner?
It's more common than you think. They are taken out to eat, wrapped in a napkin and eventually end up in the trash.. In this case we must inform our dentist so that he can assess whether, depending on the day of the month we are in, a new one is ordered, we return to the previous set of aligners or advance to the next one.
And at the end of the treatment, are the results maintained?
Exactly the same as with braces or any other type of orthodontics. Of course, we must keep in mind that the teeth tend to return to their initial position, so it is very likely that as the last phase of the treatment we will have to use the so-called retainers.. This is nothing more than a device, fixed or mobile, that will prevent the teeth from having freedom of movement.
Are the orthodontics advertised online reliable?
Almost every day there are advertisements on social networks or websites about invisible aligner devices that can be purchased online, offering affordable prices and promising express results.
The reality is that these remote treatments barely have follow-up by orthodontic professionals.. As the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products warns, “the aligners are sent directly to the patient so that they can carry out the treatment at home without the supervision of a specialist, and without a precise diagnosis or the implementation of an individualized treatment plan” .