Clear Aligners are a modern orthodontic device, compared to traditional braces. Aligners were developed in the late 1990s by Invisalign. This represents 21st-century orthodontics—esthetic, sophisticated, and custom-made. However, performing orthodontic treatment using clear aligners requires the same orthodontic knowledge, and precise, meticulous planning is critical for achieving excellent final results.

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What are the Advantages of Clear Aligners?

1. Aesthetics: Thanks to the fact that aligners are made from a very thin, transparent plastic material, usually only someone who knows the patient is undergoing orthodontic treatment will notice them.

2. Health: Aligners enable excellent oral hygiene maintenance and exert very light force on the teeth, making them ideal for cases with a tendency toward gum disease, where these factors are critical to completing the treatment with minimal risks.

3. Comfort: The aligners are thin and exert very light force. Unlike traditional braces, this system does not have sharp metal parts, making the chance of injuries and abrasions inside the oral cavity almost nonexistent. The gentle force also helps prevent the worsening of existing gum conditions.

4. Hygiene: The aligners can be self-removed for eating and brushing teeth, unlike traditional braces that are fixed to the teeth. This enables the maintenance of excellent oral hygiene.

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What are the Disadvantages of Clear Aligners?

1. Need for excellent compliance: Since the aligners can be removed independently, discipline and adherence to wearing them for the required hours are necessary.

2. Cost: Although the cost of clear aligners is decreasing, it is still higher than that of traditional braces. This is because the aligners are manufactured abroad, shipped by air, and fully customized for each patient.

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How Many Hours a Day Should I Wear the Aligners and

When Should the aligners Be Removed?

Aligners need to be worn for about 22 hours a day.
They should be removed during meals and before brushing teeth.
For special events, it’s possible to take them off temporarily, but in general, wearing them consistently is essential for the treatment to progress satisfactorily.

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What Are the Diagnostic and Treatment Stages for Clear Aligners?

1. Initial Orthodontic Examination: During this examination, the orthodontic issue will be diagnosed, and the suitability of the case for treatment with clear aligners will be assessed.

2. Complete Imaging and 3D Scanning of the Teeth and Jaw: The scans and imaging will be uploaded to the company’s platform that produces the clear aligners to create an initial simulation of the treatment and the final result.

3. Receiving and Refining the Initial Digital Simulation: At this stage, the orthodontist will refine the initial simulation provided by the company and send it back. This process repeats until an accurate simulation is achieved.

4. Approval of the treatment plan - Once the simulation is approved, the company will manufacture the clear aligners.

5. Shipping the clear aligners to the country.

6. Delivery of the first set of aligners to the patient and beginning the treatment.

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What Are Attachments?

These are small, tooth-colored composite parts bonded to certain teeth during treatment with clear aligners.

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Why Are Attachments Sometimes Needed During Clear Aligner Treatment?

Their purpose is to enable the aligners to perform complex tooth movements, such as rotating or tilting a tooth. Since both the teeth and aligners are smooth and rounded, small attachments are sometimes needed to give the aligners a good grip on the teeth.

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How Easy Is It to Adapt to Clear Aligners?

Typically, adaptation is excellent and very quick, allowing the treatment to progress efficiently and comfortably.

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How Often Do I Need to Visit the Clinic During Clear Aligner Treatment?

The frequency of check-ups is usually once every 2–3 months.

Are Emergency Appointments Needed During Clear Aligner Treatment?

Emergency appointments are rare with clear aligners because there are no sharp or metallic parts that could cause issues.

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What Should I Do if I Lose an Aligner?

There are several ways to handle the situation:

1. Move to the Next Aligner: Since the difference in tooth position between aligners is very small, the next aligner is likely to fit, and treatment can continue seamlessly by skipping the lost aligner.

2. Order a New Set of Aligners: If a full treatment plan with unlimited aligners was purchased, additional aligners can be ordered at no extra cost, and new aligners can be received for up to five years.

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What If the Aligner No Longer Fits Properly?

Sometimes, during treatment, a misfit can develop with one of the aligners. In this case, visit the dental clinic and bring the previous aligners to assess when the misfit occurred.

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Is Clear Aligner Treatment Painful?

Clear aligners exert very gentle pressure, so there is usually no pain or discomfort during treatment, except for slight pressure in the initial days as the teeth begin to move.

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Is Retention Needed After Clear Aligner Treatment?

At the end of clear aligner treatment, the same retention methods are required as with braces: a bonded retainer and/or a removable retainer (a retainer plate).

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Is Clear Aligner Treatment Suitable for Children and Teens?

Clear aligner treatment is suitable for all ages, depending on the child’s maturity and ability to commit to consistent and continuous aligner wear.