Traditional metal braces are synonymous with orthodontic dentists, but not anymore! With new options for treating a wide range of misalignments some of which are so subtle you can wear them every day without ever being noticed. Here, treatment options are explored as well as how you can pair convenience with effectiveness.
Getting the most of any treatment
Treatment is always collaborative, you have to work with your clinician to get the most out of your treatment. Whether that’s regularly taking medication from a doctor or following accompanying exercises with a physiotherapist. In the case of clear aligners, their use is the most important factor; it needs to be regular and consistent. They are not a fixed orthodontic tool and with that convenience and flexibility, comes potential patient underuse. This is why clear aligners are not recommended for younger patients, who are unlikely to see through their treatment without supervision.
According to clear braces Clapham, if you’re not prepared to use aligners for 22 out of every 24 hours (only taking breaks to eat), you’re unlikely to see the desired results.
How clear aligners differ from braces
Clear aligners are very different to braces; they are clear plastic forms which are worn over the teeth. Used in sequence, each one of these forms alter the tooth position, moving them over time. This is in stark contrast to standard metal braces which are used for the entire length of the treatment; they alter the position of teeth via brackets which are tensioned by their connecting archwire.
Why are adults getting their teeth straightened?
You may be wondering why there is a significant uptake in adults, not only asking about orthodontic care but actually seeing it through and getting their alignments corrected. It seems that with the event of clear aligners giving a low low-impact convenient and compatible treatment with adult lifestyles, the underlying wish of having straight healthy teeth can now come to the forefront. Hence the popularity.
With or without a traditional dental practice?
Clear aligner treatment schedules are very applicable to online dentistry, unlike their standard braces alternatives. The fitted brace requires regular trips to your local dentist for tightening and adjustment. During these tightening or adjustment sessions, the professional looks to see how your teeth have moved since the last check-up. And will tension the archwire to keep your teeth moving in the appropriate direction, towards completion of treatment. Clear aligners have all of these adjustments pre-designed into each aligner in the sequence. So, when you change every two weeks, you are carrying out a minor adjustment. As this can be done from home, there are only two stages of aligner care that require supervision. The initial scanning and initial assessment, along with the final treatment assessment, to ensure all of the goals have been reached.
There is a need for check-ups and it is important to have a qualified point of contact in the event of complications or if you have any queries about ongoing care. But these can be carried out using online video consultations, opening up an entirely new way of carrying out orthodontistry.