We all love our pearly whites. Unfortunately, not all of us get to have straight, perfect teeth and have to go to the dentist to get ourselves a healthy set. In this article, we dig into the latest alternative to traditional braces – dental aligners. Read on to find out what they are and if you should be using them for your teeth condition.

What are Dental Aligners?

Dental aligners or invisible aligners are the standard terms used to describe “clear aligners.” They are used for teeth straightening, just like traditional braces. The main difference is that invisible aligners are made of plastic, making them clear and easily removed, unlike conventional braces.

One of these dental braces’ biggest perks is that you will not cut your cheeks’ insides with sharp metal brackets, unlike traditional braces.

Most dental aligners are direct-to-consumer, which means that they involve a mail-order impression kit. You should take your teeth impressions on it and send it back to your dentist or orthodontist at the company. After carefully analyzing your teeth impressions, the dentist will create your custom set of dental aligners.

But be mindful that the orthodontist at the company can’t see and evaluate your supporting structures, such as your jawbone and gum tissues. Moreover, any underlying hum issues will be exacerbated by such orthodontist treatments.

Who Should Go For Dental Aligners?

While clear aligners are a desirable alternative to traditional braces, they are best for treating some specific dental conditions such as – overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, small gaps, and crowded teeth to some extent.

Other than the above, there are dental situations where clear aligners might not be the right choice. A few examples of such dental conditions are –

1. Tooth Rotation – If your tooth is rotated because of crowding, clear aligners may not be sufficient to turn the tooth into the right position.
2. Extrusion or Intrusion – Dental aligners can’t fix a tooth that is jammed into the jawbone or sits high on the bone and is taller than the rest of the teeth.
3. Misshaped Teeth – If your teeth are rounded, pointy, or pegged, you need traditional dental braces to fix them.
4. Midline Movement – Midline is an imaginary line that bisects your face. If your teeth don’t match the midline, dental aligners can’t do much to correct the discrepancy.

The age-old adage of better safe than sorry holds for the health of your teeth. If you are faced with any of the above conditions, it is best to see an orthodontist and know if you should go for dental aligners. Either your orthodontist will give a green signal to getting a dental aligner for you or will recommend a better treatment. Either way, you will be well on your way to better teeth hygiene and health.

This article contains information that is only good for educational purposes. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a qualified dentist or orthodontist regarding your doubts about a medical condition or health objectives.

At TMJ and Sleep Therapy Centre of Conejo Valley and Los Angeles, Dr. Shirazi will discuss your goals, any prior orthodontic treatment you’ve had, and help you determine which straightening alternative is best for you. Book an appointment to discuss the best option for you!