Clear aligners, also known as "invisible braces" or "clear braces", use a set of custom plastic molds to straighten your teeth over time.
Take this online diagnosis and identify the issue with your teeth
Bite:
Difficult to achieve a perfect bite
Treatment:
Orthodontist not in complete control of tooth movement because patient can remove aligner
Visibility:
Almost invisible. Can be removed on special occasions.
Movement:
Limited ability to move teeth. More suitable for small and intermediate corrections.
Eating:
No restrictions because they can be removed before eating
Speech:
Takes longer to improve speech.
Colour:
Clear plastic
More about clear aligners and braces
Clear aligners have revolutionised orthodontic treatment. They offer a discreet alternative to traditional braces. Invisalign, a leading brand, often serves as a generic term for clear aligners, known for its advanced technology.
Clear aligners, like Invisalign, use customised plastic trays, similar to slim sports mouth guards. These trays gently guide misaligned teeth into the correct position. The trays are removable and almost invisible.
Clear aligners are for those who had orthodontic treatment in their youth and now need minor adjustments. They suit people with mild to moderate dental issues, such as misalignment, overbites, or gaps between front teeth. It's tempting to take the aligners off so we advise clients to wear them for as long as possible. However, clear aligners have limits when dealing with complex orthodontic problems.
Advantages
- Clear aligners are almost invisible due to their transparent appearance.
- They can be easily removed which allows you to eat or clean your teeth comfortably.
- In some cases, clear aligners can achieve faster results.
- Fewer visits to the orthodontist are required
- Appointments for clear aligner adjustments are typically shorter than those for traditional braces because trays are printed before the patient arrives and just need to be fitted.
- Clear aligners are generally more comfortable than braces.
Disadvantages
- Clear aligners are not suitable for all types of treatments.
- Clear aligners must be removed before eating or drinking. This can be difficult depending on the social circumstance. For example, pulling off your aligner in front of your collegues when trying to eat a snack in a boardroom.
- Maintaining the clarity of aligners demands diligent cleaning.
- They must be worn for 18 to 20 hours every day to achieve optimal results.