Invisible Orthodontics: What Is It About?

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a component of dentistry that is responsible for the study, prevention, and treatment of abnormalities in the size, location, and shape of dental structures.

The main purpose of this specialty is to correct these changes in order to achieve an optimal state of oral health as well as smile harmony and proper alignment of teeth.

Normally, orthodontics uses different types of devices to correct the position of the teeth. The most commonly used braces are. The latter are metallic or ceramic structures that the dentist attaches to the teeth in the correct position.

Next, arches with different types of thicknesses are placed on the braces. These arcs allow us to move our teeth by producing frictional force on the braces.

Thanks to scientific advances in orthodontics, it has come a long way that these movements are accomplished with invisible molds that are individually made to fit the teeth of each patient. Thus, in practice, an almost invaluable invention.

What is invisible orthodontics?

Invisible orthodontic treatment is a form of orthodontic treatment that is performed using invisible molds called plastic films. To plan this type of treatment, we need some virtual 3D models as well as a virtual simulation of how the teeth move during the treatment period.

Plastic films are made of heat-moldable plastic with a thickness of about 0.5 mm, making them almost impossible to see with the naked eye. In order to facilitate the movement of the teeth, in addition to placing the plastic film, small balls made of a transparent material, called fasteners, are also attached to the teeth.

The fasteners help the plastic film to perform the movements for which they are designed. The previous plastic film must be replaced with a new plastic film after 10 or 15 days. In addition, treatment lasts from about four months to two years, depending on the degree of repair needed by each patient.

It is important to know that this type of orthodontic treatment cannot solve all dental problems. It is currently only intended for small tooth movements, such as tooth rotation along its longitudinal axis. Braces are still the most suitable option for larger repair treatments. 

The benefits of invisible orthodontics

• It is a very aesthetic treatment.
• It prevents the friction, wounds and bruises that can be produced by the brackets and arches of braces used in conventional orthodontics. Therefore, it is a more comfortable treatment for the patient.
• It allows better hygiene to be maintained. The plastic film is removed and the brushing of the teeth is done in the same way as it would be done without orthodontic treatment. In addition, because brushing with braces is more difficult, it also begins to produce more plaque at the border of the gums, which can cause gingivitis and in many cases even swelling of the gums.
• The plastic film is made in the shape of the patient’s mouth, so the treatment is completely tailored to the patient.
• Thanks to better hygiene, the patient has a lower risk of suffering from tooth decay, gingivitis, white spots on the teeth, and so on.
• Thanks to the small movements, a result corresponding to the effectiveness of conventional orthodontic treatment is achieved, in some cases it can be achieved even in a shorter time than treatment with braces.

Disadvantages of Invisible Orthodontics

• To achieve the desired effect, the plastic film should be used for at least 20 hours a day. It should only be removed while eating and brushing your teeth.
• If a new plastic film is not inserted due to a certain delay, the treatment will be prolonged and the situation may even worsen.
• Patients who grit their teeth wear the plastic film much faster, so it also needs to be replaced more often than usual.
• The cost of invisible orthodontics is much higher than traditional orthodontic treatment with braces.

Invisible orthodontics can be performed for both children and adults. However, you should always keep in mind that  orthodontics is a secondary treatment for other diseases that affect oral health and well-being. In other words, you must first make sure that other oral hygiene treatments, such as tooth replacement, oral cleaning, root canal treatment, and other oral health problems, are treated before orthodontics.

Finally

Invisible dental orthodontics is the most innovative treatment in this area of ​​dentistry. It allows us to achieve our goals so that maximum aesthetics and comfort can be guaranteed for the patient.

Predicting treatment through 3D software makes the method much more accurate, making it easier to monitor patient progress in more detail as well.