Have you ever heard anything about invisible aligners that don’t seem really good? An option to correct misalignments, mostly at home with minimal dental contact, they are often cheaper than braces as well as being invisible and convenient! What about its clinical effectiveness and why is there any controversy or doubt about its use?
Clinical Effectiveness of Invisible Aligners
Many people choose invisible aligners nowadays because they fit easily onto your own teeth and are a more eye-pleasing choice due to their invisible aesthetics.
They are a good fit for people with misalignments that are looking to correct the issue without having to go to a dentist or pay exorbitant fees in the process.
If you have any questions about the product, it is worth reading our article to find out everything there is to know about invisible aligners and their clinical effectiveness.
Clear Aligners
Invisalign London aligners belong to a category of orthodontic tools called clear aligners; they are thin clear plastic devices that tightly conform to the shape of your teeth, coaxing them into a new position.
They may seem like little more than a gum shield, but a lot of design and engineering has gone into this deceptively simple product and they really are the bare minimum of a functioning orthodontic tool, allowing wearing them to be convenient. So they are very subtle and go unnoticed in most conversations and interactions personal and professional.
History of Invisible Aligners
There have been many companies that have bought their own version of invisible aligners to the market. Although the idea had been around since the 1970s, each attempt was the combination of several bits of technology that allowed invisible aligners to be created using 3D printing.
Mixed with an increase in computing power and an extremely innovative algorithm that streamlined an awful lot of the design stages that goes into every aligner, a mixture of heuristic algorithms over a high-fidelity simulation of the human mouth has also allowed these processes to become a lot simpler. In the wake of this success, many more competitors have entered the scene, many soon failing. Some of the more successful and long-lasting like Clear Correct and Spark, have a very significant online presence.
Treatable Misalignments
Clear aligners are not considered universally suitable for all orthodontic conditions; they have been approved by the BOS or British Society of Orthodontists for cosmetic realignments and those not involving molars. Although this might seem limited, the front-most teeth are all suitable for treatment and they are still flexible enough to close open bites, reduce gaps in teeth, spread out localised crowding, and even resolve minor crossbites.
Living With Clear Aligners
After the initial setup, oral scan, and production of your aligners, the most important stage in treatment begins when you are wearing them. The consistent use in accordance with your treatment schedule and switching between the older and newer aligners when they become slack approximately once every two weeks is imperative to have consistent results and progress towards your final tooth position, without delaying or extending treatment.
At Home vs Clinic Treatment
Traditional braces may be quicker due to their need for tightening every 6-week. Aligners can and have been used independently of dentist oversight; this is done by private organisations who carry out assessments online sending at-home moulding kits out and using the moulds to prepare the aligners, which are then posted back to the patient’s home. This business model has been severely questioned by the BOS (British Society of Orthodontists).
Not only because of the reduced clinical effectiveness of invisible aligners, but also the issue of over accepting patients who do not truly or could not benefit from the treatment, due to sales target incentives.