When we talk about aesthetic orthodontics, we are referring to orthodontic techniques that use elements to move teeth that are more discreet than traditional metal braces. These include aligners, ceramic braces (tooth-colored), clear sapphire braces, or lingual braces (which are placed on the back of the tooth and are therefore not visible when you smile).
But without a doubt, the aesthetic orthodontic technique that stands out among all is invisible orthodontics with dental aligners. Do you want to know how it works? We are going to tell you what the steps or phases of invisible orthodontics are.
How Dental Aligners Work
Currently, the most advanced and invisible of these techniques is the one that uses transparent polyurethane dental aligners instead of braces, since these offer a series of advantages:
- They are completely transparent and undetectable, which makes them the most aesthetic option.
- The average duration of treatment is about 7 months, although this will always depend on the difficulty that each case presents.
- They are the most comfortable option since they are removable and can be removed during meals. This avoids common problems with other dental braces, such as food getting caught in the brackets.
- They allow teeth to be brushed regularly and flossing or interdental brushes to be used. And if you need to take them off on time to look your best at a wedding, a job interview, or any other occasion, you can do so.
- They are more resistant and, by not using them during meals, there is no risk of them breaking when biting into something hard, for example.
Currently, they are one of the most economical options. Now that you know the great properties of aligners, let’s see the phases of invisible orthodontics responsible for correcting any occlusion problem.
The Steps and Phases Of Invisible Orthodontics
Treatment with invisible orthodontics, like all medical treatments, is developed through various phases, always under the supervision of your orthodontist, who must determine its duration.
The phases that make up an invisible orthodontic treatment are:
1. Initial Study
The first phase in any orthodontic treatment is an initial study during which the orthodontist will evaluate your needs and issue a diagnosis.
What must be established in this oral-dental analysis is whether the patient is suitable for the treatment or if, on the contrary, more appropriate alternatives should be recommended for his or her problem.
Although invisible orthodontics can be placed at any age, it must be taken into account that some dental problems may require other treatments. These alternatives are varied, and range from orthographic surgery treatments to correct bone problems to implant ology treatments.
To do this, photographic records must be taken of the general configuration of the face and profile, the oral cavity is measured, and x-rays are taken. That is, it is not just about taking a look at the mouth, as some may think, but it is an in-depth study that allows orthodontics to be planned and its results predicted.
Various devices are involved in this process, the most innovative of which is the digital intraoral scanner, which is capable of recreating the inside of the mouth in 3D in a few minutes, as it takes 6,000 photos per second. This scanner does not emit any type of radiation and uses disposable silicone covers instead of the putty used in older devices, so it is more comfortable and safer.
2. Case Design
Once the patient agrees with the orthodontist’s diagnosis and expresses their willingness to move forward, it is the orthodontist’s turn.
At Alineados we use software called ClinCheck to virtually recreate the case, with which our orthodontist Katia Villalba can calculate the exact amount of force for the movement of each tooth and the exact moment in which each piece should receive the pressure.
In this way, each step of the treatment can be planned and surprises are avoided. From this design, the necessary aligners are designed for each treatment.
This is when the treatment can be explained to the patient, who is informed of the entire plan. Furthermore, this planning was tested with experts at McAllister Orthodontics and is transferred to a 3D model that simulates the evolution of the teeth every week and that the patient will be able to see on her mobile phone to check in real-time if their evolution is as expected.
3. Active Part Of The Treatment
Then comes the active part of the invisible orthodontic treatment, which begins with the placement of the aligner or splint and with an exhaustive explanation of how it should be used so that the patient can manage alone with it alone at home.
You must understand that, although the aligner can be removed, it is a device that must be in place for most of the day, at least 22 hours. Apart from the aligners, the treatment may include several auxiliary techniques, among which we find:
Buttons and attachments, which are small portions of composite (resin used in fillings and other dental treatments), are placed on some of the patient’s teeth to enhance the movement that the aligner should cause in the tooth.
Intermaxillary elastics, also called rubber bands, are small latex or silicone elements that are placed between the mandible and the upper jaw to correct different types of malocclusion.
These types of elements must also be used as stipulated by the orthodontist to achieve the desired results.
The active part of the treatment lasts, on average, about 7 months, although it may be shorter or longer depending on the problem to be corrected. During this time, periodic visits will be made with the orthodontist to follow up, make adjustments if necessary, or discuss possible discomfort caused by the aligners.
4. Refinement Phase
Once the treatment with dental aligners is completed, the orthodontist must evaluate the results. The teeth may have been repositioned perfectly, but also that some of the pieces are still slightly misplaced, or some detail needs to be polished.
Although at this point in the treatment, the teeth should be aligned, the spaces closed and the bite has a correct relationship, small adjustments may still be necessary, such as:
5. Dental Retention
The last phase of invisible orthodontics that many patients are unaware of or believe they can overlook is retention. No matter how effective orthodontics has been and no matter how perfect the patient’s teeth are, the truth is that the teeth tend to return to their original position once the dental appliances are removed.
That is why the retention phase is a crucial part of the treatment and without it the results achieved would not last. At this stage, other devices, called retainers, which can be fixed or removable, are placed in the patient’s mouth.
Fixed retainers are thin sheets of wire that are placed on the back of the teeth between the canines. Removable retainers, in turn, are plastic covers similar to aligners, but more rigid, which should be worn for only a few hours each day, usually overnight.
As with aligners, retainers should be checked by the orthodontist periodically. The first review will be a month after placement and then the visits will become more spaced out, until, after a while, it is usually left to an annual review.
As you have seen, each of the phases of invisible orthodontics is necessary to achieve results. If you would like to change your smile with invisible orthodontics, you can trust our doctor at McAllister Orthodontics, a specialist in the design of orthodontic treatments. Get in touch with us and follow us on social media to stay up to date with everything.
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