Clear aligners are a popular choice for straightening teeth, and many people are aware of them. However, not everyone knows how to choose the right clear aligners, their different types, how to use them, or if they should be directed by a dentist.
A key point to consider is whether your aligners are prescribed by a dentist or if you are opting for at-home aligners. In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of these two types of clear aligners, which can greatly impact your journey to a perfect smile.Â
Clear Aligners: A Concise Overview
What are clear aligners?
Clear aligners are the transparent plastic tray type of appliance which gets fitted on your teeth. These trays push your teeth in the desired position to get the perfectly aligned teeth.
Clear aligners are given to the patient according to the type of crooked teeth they have.
Types of crooked teeth that get treated by clear aligners are:
Gaps
Crowding
Overbite
Overjet
Open bite
Mild sleep apnea
Characteristics of Clear Aligners
Wear
The clear aligners are to be worn set by set. Each set is recommended to be worn for 7-14 days before switching to the next one.
One must regularly wear the aligners for almost 22-24 hours a day.
Material
Clear aligners are made of PU or PETG material.
These plastic materials are safe, biocompatible and non-toxic.
Clear Aligners are smooth and comfortable to wear.
Clear aligners are stain-resistant; thus, they do not turn hazy or yellow.
Clear aligners are flexible and strong at the same time; thus, they do not get fractured by being in the mouth.
Benefits of clear aligners
Almost invisible and hardly noticeable.
Acceptable
No food restrictions. One can eat anything they want after removing the aligners.
It acts faster than other traditional metal braces in most cases.
No frequent dentist visits.
Almost zero emergencies unlike metal braces that need immediate attention in case of wire or bracket breakage.
They provide the freedom to maintain oral hygiene.
Now let’s compare the features of AT-HOME and IN-CLINIC clear aligners and explore their characteristics in detail later
| FEATURES | AT-HOME CLEAR ALIGNERS | IN- CLINIC CLEAR ALIGNERS |
| DIRECTED EXECUTION | Do it yourself | Dentist directed treatment |
| COST | 50,000 to 1.5 lacs | 50,000 to 1.5 lacs |
| DURATION | Around 6 months | 12- 18 months, as per case needs |
| ADJUSTMENTS | No adjustments possible once treatment starts | unlimited |
| COMFORT | No dentist visits, but no supervision | Limited dentist visits, 360 degrees dentist supervision |
| INDICATIONS | Mild corrections | Mild to severe cases |
| SUCCESS | 50% chances of relapse if not done properly | Almost all cases are successful |
Understanding AT-HOME Clear Aligners
These are also called DTC, direct-to-consumer aligners that are executed remotely. That means the individuals who want to straighten their teeth can do the process themselves. They must contact a dentist or designated scanning centers for the initial impressions.
Process
First consultation: After an online consultation you get your initial DIY IMPRESSION KIT.
Impressions: Take the impressions yourself or visit a center
Aligners delivery: Your aligners will be delivered to you, and you can start wearing them right away.
Supervision: Remote consultations are scheduled to see the progress
Completion: Once the treatment is completed, retainers are prescribed to you.
Advantages
Very comfortable: No frequent dentist visits, can be done by yourself. One of the nicest examples of tele dentistry
Affordable: They may quote a little bit less than the dentists.
Faster: They only correct mild to moderate cases and thus, take less time.
Disadvantage;
No supervision: There is no dentist to supervise your case closely, so there is no surety about the correct execution
May be inaccurate: In case someone decides to record the impressions by themselves, that may come out to be completely wrong.
No customizations: once the treatment is designed, you cannot change it.
Not suitable for severe cases: these types of clear aligners are suggested for mostly mild cases and are not useful for cases that need supportive or extensive orthodontic treatment.
Understanding IN-CLINIC Clear Aligners
Dentist-directed clear aligners are known for being reliable and effective. One such brand is Illusion Aligners, which achieves great results with minimal chances of relapse. Let’s look at the process, benefits, and drawbacks of these in-clinic aligners.
Process
1. Initial Consultation: Your dentist will examine your teeth to assess the alignment. If you choose to proceed, they will present different treatment options.
2. Impressions: The dentist will take molds of your teeth and will have you return in a few days to pick up your aligners. They may also show you a virtual preview of your new smile.
3. Aligners Delivery: After receiving your aligners, the dentist will explain how to use and care for them.
4. Monitoring: You will have regular appointments to check your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
5. Completion: Once you achieve your desired smile, you will receive retainers to maintain it.
Advantages
-Comfortable: Made from certified materials, these aligners are comfy to wear.
-Customizable: Your dentist can tailor the treatment to your preferences.
-Faster: The latest clear aligner materials work quickly, reducing the time you need to wear them.
Effective: Since these aligners are dentist-directed, you have a higher chance of achieving the results you want.
Disadvantage;
No remote supervision: There is no remote supervision. You must go to the dentist physically to get your progress checked. This can be a problem if you are out of town for a longer period.
Longer treatment time: Once the treatment is designed, you cannot back out until it finishes.
Expensive: these types of clear aligners are suggested mild to severe cases and some cases that need supportive or extensive orthodontic treatment. Because of these extra treatments, the cost can go up as compared to DIY aligners.
In a nutshell
Clear aligners are beneficial if you have crooked teeth and do not want to go for metal braces. However, it depends on one’s requirements, case severity, cost factor, and mindset about choosing clear aligners.
Choose in-clinic aligners if:
You want accurate results
You are not sure about treatment and how it happens.
You have moderate to severe misaligned teeth.
You are comfortable visiting the dental clinic once in a while.
