Clear Aligners

Because of widespread advertising and social media, clear aligners are probably the highest-profile type of braces.

They are a relatively new way of correcting orthodontic problems. They have become increasingly more sophisticated and refined as technology advances. Still, it remains critical to be clear about the circumstances in which these removable devices are best used and by whom.

The planned tooth movement is applied digitally, and a series of aligners are produced, with each one of these aligners moves the teeth a small distance toward the intended outcome. They should be worn at least 22 hours daily and removed only for main meals and teeth brushing.

Few important points to keep in mind when it comes to clear aligner therapy:

• Because they are not fixed on the teeth, the result largely depends on patient compliance and adherence to wearing instructions, making clear aligners inherently less predictable than fixed braces.
• In mild to moderate cases, treatment with aligners can be very convenient for patients and clinicians alike; however, in complex bite problems or severely crowded teeth when extractions are needed, treatment with clear aligners is significantly slower and less reliable than fixed braces.
• Clear aligner therapy is not invisible orthodontic treatment. Often, small tooth-coloured nodules or bumps called attachments are needed to increase the grip between the plastic and the teeth to maximise accuracy. These attachments can compromise the aesthetic appearance of clear aligners.

Many general dentists and almost every orthodontist offer clear aligner therapy. Because case setup is done digitally, manufacturing and delivering the aligners and starting treatment is very convenient and straightforward. The trick is in the operator’s knowledge of appropriate case selection and designing a predictable digital setup.

That is why the results with clear aligners can vary hugely between different clinicians, making choosing your clear aligner provider crucial to the efficiency and quality of your treatment.

I have completed an intensive post-graduate fellowship in clear aligner therapy and many continuing education courses and workshops and learnt from the best aligner orthodontists in the world. I treated hundreds of clear aligner cases from simple to very complex.

Being proficient and adequately trained in multiple orthodontic techniques puts me in a unique position to advise when to use clear aligners and when to consider alternative aesthetic treatment options.

If you are considering clear aligner therapy, please do not hesitate to contact me to schedule a consultation.

I currently work with two clear aligner systems, Spark and Invisalign.

https://sparkaligners.com/en-ie
https://www.invisalign.com