The dental industry is constantly evolving. To cite just one example, when fixed orthodontic aligners appeared, they were an important advance in the treatment of imperfections and misalignments in the dental arch.

Although they are still widely used, for proper treatment success, these models require some additional care in terms of hygiene and effective patient collaboration with their dentist to obtain significant results.

Another important point is that, for aesthetic reasons, some adults are not comfortable wearing fixed braces. However, this scenario is changing thanks to one of the main innovations in the orthodontics market in recent years: clear aligners .

Do you already know them? If not, take the opportunity to follow this post and learn about all the benefits that this revolutionary orthodontic treatment option can offer for your smile!

What are clear aligners?

As the name implies, transparent aligners, produced from materials such as transparent acetate, work like a traditional device and aim to align imperfections in the smile .

The main differential of this type of appliance is that, instead of being fixed, the aligners have plates that cover the teeth, providing more comfort and facilitating dental hygiene, in addition to being practically imperceptible.

Removable and comfortable, the clear aligners are only 0.75mm thick and do not impose any dietary restrictions on patients, as it can be removed for meals. In addition, dentists produce a series of personalized guides to be used throughout the treatment, without the risk of darkening the parts.

With all these attributes, clear aligners are a great aesthetic choice for children and adults. At the end of the treatment, you will have your teeth aligned and the smile you want according to what was planned with your dentist.

When it comes to age group, it is nice to note that aligners are a great option for teenagers and adults. They are generally not recommended for children because they have the dental arch in the development stage.

What are the differences between the clear aligner and the conventional braces?

Conventional appliances can be fixed and mobile. They are generally indicated for long-term treatments and with more complex diagnoses. Patients who use conventional appliances must visit the dentist frequently for monthly maintenance, which basically consists of adjusting the appliance.

Today, conventional appliances are divided into two main types: conventional and self-ligating.

Conventional ones have the device’s arch attached to the brackets using rubber bands. These brackets can be transparent or metallic. In the case of self-ligating appliances, the arc is connected directly to the brackets, without the need to use rubbers.

The self-connected type device can provide excellent results in a shorter period of time. In addition, maintenance is more spaced, generally being done every two months.

The clear aligner is completely different from conventional braces. It consists of a transparent plate, very similar to bruxism plates, which can be removed and placed by the patient himself, without the need to visit the dentist for frequent adjustments.

If the patient chooses the clear aligner, the frequency of visits to the dentist will basically depend on the particularities of each case.

How is the clear aligner developed?

First, during the appointment with the dentist, the documentation is prepared — which includes photos, panoramic x-ray, 100% digital scanning, which means that the patient no longer needs to carry out the process with putty and mold, conventionally used in traditional appliances.

Then, through a specialized program, the dentist assembles the treatment step by step, demonstrating the expected results through a 3D simulation for greater precision.

In the third step of developing your clear aligner, your dentist sends the plan to the lab to produce your aligner guides. Then, just use the aligners according to the professional’s guidelines.