Do Teeth Aligners Really Work for Teeth Straightening?

Out of several teeth alignment techniques present in the market, clear aligners are attracting maximum attention today due to their efficacy and convenience. Several studies have been published on this subject further highlighting the benefits of these aligners. Teeth aligners have disrupted the dental care segment and are proving their unparalleled efficiency by delivering amazing results. One of the biggest advantages of these aligners is that they are nearly invisible and are extremely convenient to use. Due to their pleasing aesthetics, a number of people are now opting for teeth aligners for their alignment needs. So, how do these aligners work, and are they actually as effective as they are being made out to be?

How do teeth aligners work?

Teeth aligners are molds of plastic custom designed as per your dental requirements and teeth shape. These structures are designed after the patient undergoes an intra-oral scanning where the exact situation of their dental condition is ascertained. In many cases, the orthodontists also provide the patient with a simulation of their post-treatment look making aligners a highly sought-after mode of teeth straightening. The aligners are designed to fit your mouth seamlessly and push your teeth together gently to their designated state. Due to the constant pressure applied to them, the teeth are brought into their correct position providing the patients with great dental alignment.

What dental conditions do teeth aligners treat?

Irregular spacing between the teeth is one of the most common aesthetic issues faced by people all over the world. However, aligners are designed to treat several other dental conditions as well. Here are some of them.

Overcrowding:

This is a condition when the teeth are too big to fit into the designated space causing an overlap of one tooth over the other. This crowding can result in the building up of cavities and can lead to various other oral hygiene issues.

Crossbite:

This is another common alignment issue that a person develops during their childhood. Crossbite refers to the condition when the upper and lower set of teeth lack alignment. The upper set of teeth sits behind the lower ones at the closing. This means that the teeth are too close to the cheek and can cause injuries in the long run if left untreated.

Deep Overbite:

Deep overbite refers to the condition when the upper set overlaps the lower set by a huge margin. In many cases, lower teeth may also touch the gum tissues at the back of the upper ones. This can cause severe gum injuries and problems in chewing and biting as well.

Increased Overjet:

This is a dental condition where the upper set of teeth are protruded by a huge margin and in many cases don’t even touch the lower sets. This condition is not just aesthetically poor but can also cause severe jaw pain and problems in biting.

Open Bite:

Your upper and lower set of teeth are supposed to touch each other in a straight manner. However, for patients suffering from openbite, this is not possible as a huge vertical gap is formed giving an asymmetrical look to the teeth.

Apart from providing an aesthetically pleasing look, aligners also have several dental health benefits. Due to many of these above issues, patients often face problems in biting and chewing. In many other cases, poorly aligned teeth result in cavities and gum injuries as well. These all complications can be prevented with the timely intervention of the aligners. One thing to be noted here is that aligners are not a ‘one solution fits all’ kind of treatment. Their efficiency depends on the severity of the problems. There are many cases where aligners bring only a slight change. These cases need further dental help and even surgical procedures. To understand more about your dental aesthetics, book a visit to your nearest orthodontist.