How Do Aligners Work? The Ultimate Guide 2024

"Aligners are prescribed to be worn to address the concern of misaligned teeth or a problematic bite, so orthodontic treatment helps improve the condition and, hence, how your teeth look!"

·       All clear aligners work virtually and involve wearing trays over months. Applying gentle but consistent pressure helps move teeth to follow the planned straightening process.

·       The aligners simultaneously apply pressure to the problematic teeth and all your teeth to correct the misalignment concern while preserving the aesthetic appearance.   

·       Aligners help reposition your teeth, supported by new, fresh tissue, and create a better-looking and functioning mouth and smile.

·       Clear aligner gives flexibility to remove as needed; however more convenient option than any other teeth straightening.

At-home clear teeth aligners are a popular, more convenient, cost-effective option because they save time, energy, and money and provide faster, better, and more effective results. According to the board-certified Orthodontists practicing at Dr. Karishma Aesthetics, more than one appliance is perfect or ultimate for all teeth alignment concerns. Still, it may be the right option for those dealing with a specific state of concern. However, home-based clear teeth aligners are a suitable option for those dealing with mild to moderate crooked or crowded teeth, but still, it is a solid choice and offer effective treatment for most patients.

What are Clear Aligners?

Aligners are clear pieces of plastic shaped to a patient's mouth using gradual force to control the movement of teeth without using metal or ceramic brackets or wires. However, patients with mild to moderate teeth alignment concerns can choose an aligner option, a proven, effective, perfect solution to correct crooked and crowded teeth. Thus, aligners are an appealing alternative to braces. They involve a comprehensive initial scan to provide a clear picture of your teeth and where they must be aligned to achieve an ideal, aesthetic smile. Thus, a series of aligners are designed to move your teeth into their desired location, and so that is this orthodontic treatment purpose focused on achieving a healthy, straight smile with an easy, fast, and result-centric approach.

How Do Aligners Work/ Straighten Your Teeth?

Firstly, it is inevitable to schedule a one-on-one consultation with a board-certified orthodontist/ dentist to know the misalignment status of your teeth and what technique of teeth alignment procedure would be feasible, is determined. Clear aligner treatment involves wearing a series of trays over months, where the aligner tray produces a gentle but consistent pressure on teeth to prompt their movement. Thus, teeth get repositioned to the desired location from their current position, resulting in properly aligned teeth with aesthetic status, which helps achieve an ideal smile.

The initial step of consultation involves the following course of action:

·       X-rays

·       3D scans

·       Bite impressions

·       Thorough physical examinations

·       Detailed treatment discussions

Next, the manufacturer designs a series of customized clear aligners based on the severity of the patient's teeth alignment and the number of alignments required. Some treatments take a few months, but some may require over a year to address the alignment concern.

The most popular brand of clear aligners is Invisalign. Its unique qualities and technology make Invisalign stand out and a preferable option for many dental patients and dentists.

One must note that aligners simultaneously apply pressure on both problematic and all teeth. It is instructed to wear aligners as much as possible, ideally 20-22 hours a day, resulting in repositioned teeth throughout the treatment.

When aligners are worn, they apply gentle but consistent pressure on your teeth, triggering a series of physical reactions. However, the teeth, the supporting ligaments, and the underlying bone respond to the pressure by breaking down bone in front of the moving tooth and depositing more bone behind it. The teeth are then repositioned in a new place supported by fresh tissue.

What do clear aligners help to correct?

·       Gapped teeth

·       Open bite

·       Crooked teeth

·       Crowding

·       Overbite

·       Underbite

Are clear aligners better than braces?

Clear aligners and braces are used to correct the misaligned teeth, but which is a feasible option based on the patient's teeth misalignment status and personal preferences? However, saying that one would be more beneficial than the other does not hold a worthwhile statement. Clear alignments will be preferable when a patient has mild to moderate misalignment or crooked teeth/ tooth crowding. Moreover, braces will still effectively treat the severe state of crowded or crooked teeth. In addition, aligners may offer a more compelling treatment course with a much more discreet appearance than fixed braces and require fewer lifestyle changes due to their removability.

Who can get clear aligner treatment?

Clear aligners are a preferable option for teens and adults, but still, some factors need to be considered while proceeding with the option. Our orthodontists at Dr. Karishma Aesthetics consider a few important factors while recommending the clear aligners, such as the oral health status of the patient, their commitment toward maintaining the aligner treatment in terms of cleanliness/ hygiene, and commitment to wearing aligners at least 22 hours a day, as well as cleaning their teeth every time before their aligners go back in. In addition, patients must have healthy gums and teeth before starting this orthodontic treatment. So, gums and teeth disease treatment is advisable before starting the orthodontic treatment.

Do clear aligners hurt?

Adjusting the new aligners to your mouth takes a few days. However, it is normal to experience minor pressure on the teeth for the first few days. These discomforts disappear as the days pass, indicating that teeth adjust to the desired alignment. If the pain is severe or persistent over the expected recovery days or weeks, it would be best to consult your orthodontist to check whether the aligners are working as expected.

Aftercare: Post-treatment Guidelines:

After finishing the clear aligner treatment, patients are expected to follow the basic guidelines as suggested by the orthodontist jotted down below:

a)    Patients must wear retainers to maintain their teeth' new position and alignment.

b)   Retainers must be worn full-time, but patients can often transition to night-time wear only.

c)    Patients are advised to brush their teeth twice daily and floss at least once to maintain dental hygiene.

d)   Attending all the follow-up appointments as recommended by the orthodontist is inevitable.

e)    A regular six-monthly check-up is also mandatory to maintain good dental hygiene and extend the effect of the clear aligner treatment.

How much are clear aligners?

The cost of clear aligner treatment in Bangalore is competitive, and many patients from outside Bangalore and all over India visit Kaesthetics, Indiranagar, to avail themselves of quality aligner treatment. You can book an in-person consultation with our orthodontist, who can provide a full breakdown of the aligner cost for your customized treatment plan and the payment options available.

What are the Advantages of Aligners?

1.    Aligners are a much easier option than traditional braces and weigh less cost compared to braces. Braces require many in-office adjustments, while aligners only need an in-office visit.

2.    Aligners can be removed, whereas braces require installed hardware in the mouth. Aligner trays can easily be removed for eating and special events.

3.    Clear aligners are less visible than traditional braces.

4.    Aligners are preferable for teens and adults, but braces are still recommended when patients do not meet the eligibility criteria for clear aligner treatment.

Fix crooked teeth at Dr. Karishma Aesthetics:

Having provided customized orthodontic treatment to patients for over a decade, Dr. Karishma Aesthetics is accredited and the safest place to receive clear aligner treatment and enjoy a positive transformation to your smile.

To book an appointment with Smilecare KAesthetics, call us at 9108969006/ 7624809006. To learn more about clear aligner treatment, visit our website.