Are you thinking about getting teeth aligners for getting your misaligned teeth fixed, but unsure whether they are a good option? You are not alone. A lot many people find it difficult to choose between the traditional metal braces and the removable aligners. Of course, the aligners are much more comfortable and convenient than the braces, but are they effective as well? Or which option is more cost-effective?
Selecting an orthodontic treatment option is a big decision – one which should not be taken lightly. After all, it involves your oral health and facial aesthetics. Therefore, before you decide about getting clear aligners, you should know what aligners are and how they work. This article explains everything you need to know about teeth aligners so that you can make an informed decision in consultation with your orthodontist.
Do Teeth Aligners Work?
Different orthodontic options fix tooth misalignment in different ways. The traditional metal braces remain fixed and move your teeth through the force exerted by an orthodontic wire which passes through each bracket. On the other hand, the removable aligners are designed in a way that they fit over your teeth and exert gentle pressure which causes your teeth to move in the desired direction and angulation. Simply put – yes, aligners do work. However, there mechanism of action is different from the fixed braces. You can read more about how aligners work here.
Can Teeth Alignment Affect Speech?
When you start wearing your new aligners, you might feel slight discomfort during the initial few days. Since the aligners sit over your teeth, you may feel the presence of something additional in your mouth.
Also, since the aligners take up some of the space which is utilised by the tongue for speaking, especially over the palate and the front teeth, you might experience some difficulty in speaking during the initial days. However, your tongue will soon get accustomed to the new “guest” in your mouth, and you will be able to speak normally again.
Can You Get Aligners With Missing Teeth?
The idea behind aligner treatment is to make sure that all your teeth align optimally, so that you have a beautiful and attractive smile, and to allow you to eat and speak without difficulty.
Although in some cases, it may be possible to get aligners with missing teeth, normally replace missing teeth with dental implants or other tooth replacement options before they begin orthodontic treatment.
This is because every tooth in our mouth has a specific function. Missing even a single tooth can cause unwanted changes in your bite, leading to serious problems such as temporomandibular joint disorders and excessive wearing of the teeth.
However, in some cases, dentists can utilise the gap created by a missing tooth to treat tooth crowding and misalignment. Therefore, it all depends on the clinical situation and the expertise of your dentist/orthodontist, whether they would consider giving your teeth aligners with missing teeth.
Can You Get Aligners With Wisdom Teeth?
Typically, healthy wisdom teeth do not cause any issues with aligner treatment. Therefore, during your initial orthodontic consultation, your orthodontist will perform a detailed clinical examination of all your teeth – including your wisdom teeth – to ensure that they are free of cavities and gum inflammation.
If your orthodontist feels that your wisdom teeth are impacted teeth which can cause gum inflammation and cavities in neighbouring teeth during the course of your treatment, he or she may recommend getting them removed. Otherwise, there no issue in getting aligners if you have healthy wisdom teeth.
How Long Do Braces Take To Align Teeth?
The time required for aligning teeth varies with different types of braces and also depend on various factors such as the severity of the case, age of the patient, and more importantly, patient compliance.
With clear aligners, you can expect a treatment time of anywhere between 8-12 months for mild orthodontic problems such as minor spacing or crowding. More complicated cases may take longer for completion.
According to the manufacturers of Invisalign Clear Aligners, aligner therapy takes between 12-18 months on an average, provided they are worn for at least 22 hours each day.
How Should Teeth Align Up?
Optimal alignment of your teeth is not only essential for having an attractive smile but also to speak and eat without difficulty. Therefore, dentists not only focus on improving your smile and facial aesthetics during orthodontic treatment but also ensure that you have a balanced bite which restores the optimal functioning of the teeth.
In an ideal bite, the upper front teeth have a slight vertical overlap with the lower ones. In addition, the upper front teeth have a slight positive angulation compared with the lower ones. Similarly, the lower back teeth are positioned slightly forward horizontally, and lingually (closer to the tongue) compared with the lower ones.
Removable aligners are an aesthetically pleasant, convenient and a comfortable alternative to the conventional fixed braces. Not only they allow you to maintain optimal oral hygiene, but they also allow you to eat all your favourite foods – unlike the metal braces.
If you are looking dental professionals in Ely, Cambridge, then look no more. Ely Smiles offers high-quality aligner therapy by a team of qualified dentists, which are trained in treating even the most complicated orthodontic problems.
At Ely Smiles, we believe that a perfect smile is only possible if you have healthy and perfectly aligned teeth. That is why our orthodontists treat each case individually – from initial consultation to treatment planning and aligner therapy, our patients receive an individualised and customised treatment in a comfortable and relaxing environment.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit our website here to book a consultation appointment, and let our friendly team take care of all your dental problems. We look forward to welcoming you.
