Badly positioned teeth turn out to be unsightly and often damage self-confidence. To restore a beautiful smile, more and more adults are resorting to orthodontics. One of the most used devices in this aesthetic quest is the dental aligner. Available in many forms, it is used as much to align and tighten the teeth as to level them and to separate them; it can even be used to move them forward or back. Its use brings many benefits, but it is not without repercussions. All the pluses and minuses of this orthodontic appliance can be found here.
What are the different kinds of dental aligners?
The dental aligner, which is the basis of orthodontic treatment, is only prescribed after a diagnosis of the origin of the malfunction of the teeth and/or jaws. After this diagnosis, the orthodontist will depend on the case, choose between several dental appliances, including the dental aligner, also called a splint. This custom-designed aligner to perfectly match the shape of the teeth and to resemble them exists in two ranges: the occlusal aligner and the orthodontic aligner. The range of occlusal splints includes joint repositioning splints, muscle reconditioning splints, and decompression splints; that of orthodontic aligners consist of dental braces and invisible tooth aligners.
The advantages of dental aligners
The dental aligners braces are not only useful to restore a more beautiful and radiant smile; they are also carriers of many other benefits as demonstrated by numerous clinical studies. Not limited to straightening badly positioned teeth, dental aligners are also used to prevent any malfunction of teeth and/or jaws in that they provide functional and aesthetic teeth, and this for life. They are also useful for maintaining the stability of teeth and reducing their unwanted movements which are most often due to aging. Wearing aligners is to benefit, in addition to a more aesthetic dentition, prevention of cavities, optimal chewing, healthier gums, and better speech.
Cons of dental aligners
The disadvantages of dental aligners are linked to their respective nature. With regard to visible dental appliances, for example, their installation is long and produces a slight discomfort at the beginning, while the patient gets used to wearing them. There is also a certain discomfort in that they make a smile or even laughter less beautiful, which is why more and more adults are choosing invisible orthodontics.. Also these drawbacks, there is a total discomfort when brushing teeth, brushing which is however compulsory after each meal. Those who wear braces should also avoid certain hard and crunchy foods because they are more difficult to remove when brushing. There are also some who experience pain because their dental equipment is fixed. Another of the disadvantages of wearing dental appliances is the need to make regular appointments with the orthodontist because of the manipulations that must be done throughout the treatment period.