Adult Orthodontics: 7 Things To Know About Invisible Dental Aligners

For the past few years, invisible dental aligners have been restoring smiles to all those who dream of finally having straight teeth. Here are 7 things to know about this revolutionary orthodontic technique that is mainly aimed at adults.

This technique is becoming increasingly popular.

Invisible dental alignment with clear aligners is not a recent invention, as this orthodontic technique has been used in France since 2001.

However, this method has made significant advances over the past decade. Today, more than 120,000 patients opt for invisible dental aligners each year in France.

She uses plastic aligners instead of braces.

If invisible dental aligners are so successful in France and around the world, it is mainly because they allow teeth to be realigned without having to wear braces.

Invisible dental alignment uses thermoformed plastic aligners custom-made from a digital impression of the jaws.

A 3D virtual simulation enables the visualization of the initial state of the teeth and the various stages of the treatment plan. Each stage corresponds to a different removable aligner, which will address specific issues.

The patient wears several splints during the course of treatment.

Invisible teeth alignment takes time. It requires undergoing the treatment for 6 months to 2 years to see significant results on one's smile...

The duration of the treatment is the same as with braces, and throughout this period, the patient regularly changes aligners. On average, dental aligners need to be changed every two weeks, depending on the progress of the teeth.

That's why it's essential to consult an orthodontist and not to give in to malicious offers that abound on the Internet. Invisible dental aligners require monitoring by a specialist, through photos, clinical examinations, and radiographic imaging.

The interest of this treatment is not solely aesthetic.

Of course, invisible dental aligners are all the rage among people who want to have a celebrity smile. Indeed, famous personalities such as Justin Bieber, Eva Longoria, and Laetitia Hallyday have resorted to them!

But the interest in this treatment is not merely aesthetic. Thanks to advances in this technique, orthodontists can now work on the shape of the jaws and correct misalignments of several millimeters.

For some patients, treatment with invisible dental aligners brings benefits for chewing, breathing, and speech.

5- Gutters offer several advantages.

The arrival of invisible dental aligners has persuaded many adults to have their teeth realigned because this orthodontic technique is more discreet and less invasive than wearing braces. In everyday life, these clear aligners are virtually unnoticeable.

The materials used are more flexible, making the aligners more comfortable to wear. Unlike traditional braces, the aligners cannot injure the cheeks.

The force applied to the teeth is more gradual and gentler, but this method remains effective for moving teeth and achieving perfectly aligned dentition.

This treatment is burdensome.

Even though invisible teeth alignment is known to be less painful than wearing braces, patients may experience some tension and discomfort when speaking, especially at the beginning of the treatment.

It's also important to note that using invisible dental aligners requires a lot of discipline and motivation. To achieve results, the aligners must be worn almost constantly, for at least 22 hours out of 24. When wearing them, one cannot eat or drink soda or hot beverages. They must be removed before eating and cleaned each time they are taken out.

In practice, patients undergoing this treatment wear their aligners during the day and night, only removing them for meals. They must brush their teeth before putting them back in and clean the aligners thoroughly with water several times a day.

This daily discipline can be challenging for children, making invisible dental alignment more suitable for adults. For teenagers, it's necessary to be sure of their maturity and independence before recommending this treatment.

Not everyone can wear this type of dental aligners.

In theory, any adult can wear clear dental aligners to realign their teeth. However, in practice, this orthodontic treatment is not recommended during pregnancy and with certain medical treatments.

One must also have a perfectly healthy mouth to be able to wear these types of aligners. Invisible aligners cannot be worn if one has cavities, tartar, or other dental problems.

Lastly, this treatment is not accessible to everyone, as it costs between €1,200 and €1,600 per semester for adults. Up to the age of 16, orthodontic treatment using aligners is reimbursed by Social Security in the same way as traditional treatment. Some mutual insurance companies also cover part of the treatment, including for adults.