Clear aligners are clear plastic forms of invisible braces, which are used to realign teeth without the need for conventional braces. These aligners fit directly over the teeth and in turn, push them into a desired position. Unlike braces, aligners do not need to be tightened constantly as they are supposed to loosen as you age. They are ideal for adults as it can help them avoid the embarrassment associated with wearing braces. However, there are certain disadvantages associated with the use of these aligners such as lack of functionality, irregular teeth alignment and potential for trauma. Hence, it is important to understand what Clear Aligners is and how they work.
The basic principle underlying the Invisalign clear braces is that when the aligners are placed over the teeth, they can slide automatically into place. These clear braces are made of synthetic materials like metal foil, which is attached to the front surface of the tooth. This acts as a slight resistance on the metal, which helps to move the aligner in a desired direction. If you pull hard on the metal braces, the metal foil gets pulled back, forcing the aligners back into place. Therefore, unlike the traditional braces, there is no constant pressure required on the teeth during placement.
Another major advantage of the Invisalign aligners is that it does not provide any form of feedback, as they have no wires or brackets attached to them. This makes it easy for children to adjust their aligners as well as adults to straighten their teeth. Invisalign is ideal for anyone who prefers to go to a dentist for straightening of teeth. Also, this new revolutionary method of straightening the teeth eliminates the use of traditional metal braces. This makes Invisalign a better option compared to traditional braces.
However, although Invisalign has many advantages over traditional braces, it does have its disadvantages as well. One of the main disadvantages is that the treatment time for the Invisalign clear aligners is longer than that of the traditional braces. The treatment time takes longer for people with crooked teeth and those with uneven teeth. Also, teeth alignment becomes difficult for children as they have shorter teeth than adults. Also, most people cannot afford the regular orthodontic treatment for teeth alignment with Invisalign.
Moreover, these Invisalign braces are expensive due to its technology and materials used in its manufacture. It costs more than $600 to purchase each Invisalign aligner and the installation process requires professional assistance. A third type of Invisalign treatment plan is known as the Invisalign 3D model. The 3D model involves a clear plastic aligner that contains the exact distances from the teeth. This allows for customized treatment plans for patients with tooth misalignment problems.
Although the Invisalign clear braces have been shown to be effective in treating mild to moderate cases of orthodontic problems, there are still some drawbacks that need to be addressed before this treatment can be fully implemented. First, these braces cannot be removed during leisure activities like eating or drinking. Secondly, patients may experience discomfort during the application process as they move the aligner from their mouth to their bite. Lastly, these clear braces do not align the teeth as perfectly as braces using traditional metal brackets. This may lead to problems with eating habits as patients often experience difficulty in chewing their food.