While one can find beautiful smiles all around them, perfectly-aligned teeth form the basis of a perfect smile. Most people think of teeth alignment in terms of metal and wire braces. However, for a flawless smile, one does not need to feel discomfort associated with braces. For those who want to straighten their teeth without significantly changing their appearance, eating habits, or oral hygiene practices, invisible aligners are the perfect solution.

What are invisible aligners?
As the name implies, invisible aligners are transparent orthodontic devices, generally made of flexible plastic, that straighten one’s teeth. In the past, such aligners could not be used to address orthodontic issues, but with advancements in technology, dental experts suggest clear aligners serve many purposes. The tool not only enables a perfect smile, but it can also help users avoid certain oral and cosmetic issues stemming from misaligned teeth. One such issue faced by many people is known as malocclusion—a series of issues, including teeth gaps, crooked teeth, underbite, overbite, and crowded teeth. Malocclusion is the misalignment of one’s upper and lower teeth. Clear aligners help deal with this condition by gently repositioning the upper and lower teeth gradually over a series of iterations. So, invisible braces or aligners can improve not only teeth alignment but also the shape of cheeks, jaw, and other areas adversely affected by misaligned teeth. Invisible teeth aligners are available at the dentist’s office, and one can get them as useful at-home treatment options. Several studies have found that invisible aligners can provide the same results as traditional braces and, at times, can be even more effective than standard orthodontics.

Teeth realignment process
Here is the step-by-step process of getting clear aligners to realign one’s teeth:

Consultation: First, one visits an orthodontist for a consultation or examination. The orthodontist can determine whether the patient needs invisible aligners after the examination. Before visiting the clinic, one must verify whether the orthodontist is certified and has experience in working with clear aligners. Not all dental health experts may be trained in offering such services.

Developing individualized treatment plan: After consultation, the orthodontist begins working on a personalized therapy plan. Here, patients discuss expectations and requirements with the expert and seek details regarding the length of the realignment process, the expenses involved, and outcome-related queries. This process also involves a brief cleanup of the patient’s teeth to keep them clean and shiny for the procedure.

Taking an impression: Here, the orthodontist takes the teeth and gum impressions of the patient. First, the orthodontist carefully places a clay-like mold inside the patient’s mouth. The patient will have to clamp their upper and lower jaw, after which the mold is carefully removed. The impression is sent to an invisible aligner specialist. Alternatively, some orthodontists may use X-rays to get digitized impressions.

Revision: Here, specialists use customized software to design and create an invisible aligner based on the requirements of the customer. They communicate and coordinate with the orthodontist to get the shape and size of the aligner right. Multiple revisions are made to the design to ensure that the aligner fits snugly in the patient’s mouth without any discomfort.

Fitting the aligners: Here, the patient tries on the aligner designed for them. Some may feel a degree of pain or pressure on their teeth and gums before they get used to the foreign object in their mouth. Certain treatment options and practices can improve the experience over time to avoid feeling any discomfort. 

Multiple invisible aligners are used over a period of several weeks or months until the customer’s teeth are perfectly realigned. So, after regular intervals (of, say, a week or two), the user gets a new set of aligners to straighten their teeth. The process continues until the teeth are straightened and aligned as intended. Orthodontists generally advise people to set aside their aligners while eating.

Benefits
Invisible aligners offer several benefits to users. Apart from being invisible to onlookers, clear aligners make the realignment process easier as they are:

Removable: Unlike traditional braces, invisible aligners can be removed easily, for instance, while eating or brushing your teeth. Certain users might want to take it off for special occasions like weddings, public speaking events, and dates, among others. The retainers are made in a way that fitting them back after removal is quick and comfortable for users. Orthodontists generally recommend wearing clear aligners for at least 20 hours a day to get the desired results as quickly as possible.

Easy to clean: Apart from being comfortable to put on and remove at regular intervals, invisible aligners are also remarkably easy to clean. Food particles can get stuck in the aligner trays, and just as one brushes their teeth, aligners should be cleaned regularly too. One can simply remove the aligner trays, gently clean them using a brush and toothpaste, and rinse in warm water before re-inserting the aligner.

Affordable: Clear aligners are not only cheaper than conventional braces but can also be more effective. They eliminate the need to make multiple visits to the dentist and can promise faster teeth straightening process.

Popular options
Some of the most popular invisible aligners available in the market are:

SmileDirectClub aligners: The aligners come with trademarked technologies such as Smart Sculpt and Comfort Sense that make them highly comfortable and incredibly effective. One can buy all-day or nightly aligners based on their preferences and convenience. Additionally, the brand offers free, in-person consultations for customers.

Strayt aligners: The product is one of the most convenient invisible recliners. Strayt clear aligners are also among the most affordable options. Users get an at-home impression kit along with the first set of retainers. Strayt also offers free mobile scan consultations.