Clear Aligners / Invisalign

Many dental patients /their parents) frequently ask us which treatment option is better for them. It is always a personal decision to be made, so we thought Dental health Care in Kochi could provide some of the information to take which will help you if you want to consider your treatment options.

It is important to remember that clear aligners can treat most of the orthodontic problems, but not all. Hence it is very important that you have a consultation with your orthodontist initially about which option can help you get the best treatment result.

For many orthodontic cases, however, both braces and clear aligner treatment options are available which means that you have to decide according to your preference , priority and which options best suits your lifestyle.

Dental Braces are made of metal or porcelain which are attached to your teeth. Metal wires , rubber bands are used to provide a force to move the teeth into the correct position.

Clear Aligners are made of plastic and are always custom made to fit your teeth. Each aligner will move the teeth step by step towards the final desired position. Small bumps of composite resin which are called as attachments (tooth coloured filling material) are attached to various teeth to help the aligner to grip the tooth so that it can be moved correctly.

Aligners Advantages:

Appearance: Aligners are least noticeable than dental braces as they are clear , transparent and are custom made to fit your teeth.

Diet while using Aligners: As you can remove your aligners while eating, your diet will not be affected. You will still be able to eat the foods which you like. Some foods may be difficult or uncomfortable to eat with braces as they can cause breakages which can delay orthodontic treatment and will require extra visits to have repairs carried out.

Hygiene: As your aligners are removable, it’s very easy to brush and floss as per normal. Cleaning your teeth with braces in place of clear aligners may be bit challenging for many.

Appointments: As the tooth movement is pre-planned by your Orthodontist, the actual visits to the practice are usually much simpler, for some cases, visits can be fewer overall. Aligner treatment has high advantage especially for all who are have busy life, who travel frequently and who stay far by .

Comfort: Clear Aligners are more comfortable than braces. Although the teeth may be somewhat tender as they begin to move, the lips and cheeks tend to be very less irritated as the plastic aligner is much smoother than of metal or porcelain braces. This may be particularly relevant especially for those playing contact sports.

Aligners Disadvantages:

Compliance: Aligners have to to be worn for 22 hours a day for effectiveness which means they can be removed only eating and cleaning.

Aligners which need to be removed for eating and for cleanin: Some patients could find it difficult to do this if they are in public and may feel shy or embarrassed about it.

Effectiveness of Clear Aligners : Aligners can treat most cases, but not all. In a complex situations, your orthodontist may recommend braces rather than aligners. If you insist on aligners anyway, the final result may not be as precise as that of braces.

Cost: In few cases, the cost of aligners can be more than that of braces. Best dentist in Kochi /orthodontist can discuss the cost of your options before you decide the treatment plan.