Undergoing orthodontic treatment will affect your life in various ways. However, these kinds of treatments often necessitate a significant commitment in terms of money and time. Thus, it is only natural to wonder whether it is your ideal option. More orthodontic treatment options are available today, and unobtrusive treatments such as clear aligners have become increasingly popular. However, some patients ask whether aligners work, especially in adults. This blog provides the answer while weighing in on the pros and cons of this treatment.
Do Aligners Work for Adults?
If you wonder whether aligners are effective for adults, the answer is yes.’ Aligners are highly effective for adults and have become increasingly popular because of their discreet appearance and convenience.
Having the dentist align your teeth as a grownup is not much different than aligning them as a teen. In fact, according to studies, one in three patients who undergo orthodontic treatment with aligners is a grownup. The primary difference between adult and teenage patients is that grownups have a higher jawbone density and fully developed teeth and bones. But aligners will work for you even if you are a grownup.
Like metal braces, clear aligners depend on pressure to force the misaligned teeth into position. Teeth will shift into the correct position when the aligners place adequate and constant pressure on them.
Grownups generally have more preexisting dental problems than teens and children. These include receding gums, misshapen teeth, missing teeth, and more. The teeth realigning process may take longer than it would if you were a teen, but it will eventually happen.
The Process and How They Will Take To Work
The process of inserting clear aligners is brief and straightforward. If your dentist considers you an appropriate candidate for clear aligners, they will take 3D pictures of your oral cavity. They will then place the image into a software program that determines the course of your treatment. This allows you to view your teeth’s progress and the possible outcome. It also provides the dental professional with information for customizing your aligner trays.
It is prevalent for your orthodontist to work closely with your general dentist to develop a treatment plan personalized to your needs. The average duration of straightening your teeth with aligners is twenty-two months. That period could vary depending on the severity of the dental problem and how many dental issues you want fixed.
Generally, orthodontists recommend that you wear your clear aligners for twenty-two hours every day. You must have them on any time you are not brushing or eating. If you do not wear them, they cannot straighten your smile. Also, you must change your aligners every fourteen days if you want them to work as they should.
Wearing aligners may make you feel like an awkward teen. You might feel shy or embarrassed about putting on these dental restorations. When wearing them, it is essential to remember your objective of achieving a clean, straight smile. You are aligning your teeth to help yourself in the future, and when everything is over, think about how proud you will be of your new teeth.
Dentists use aligners to solve several dental problems. These include:
- Crooked teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Misaligned bites, including underbites, overbites, overjets, crossbites, and open bites
- Overcrowding
Correcting these orthodontic problems is crucial for aesthetic purposes, and failure to do so could result in other complications like speech impediments, tooth decay, and gum disease. Also, you need not underestimate the impact orthodontic problems can have on your self-esteem. Clear aligners like Invisalign can address these issues while causing little disruption to your everyday life.
Even though the success rate for aligners for adults is high, they are not ideal for all parties. Where you have multiple intricate orthodontic problems or misalignment, aligners may not be the best for you. In either case, metal braces are often a proper option.
Also, clear aligners are unsuitable for shifting teeth down or up to shorten or lengthen them. They are also unsuitable if your teeth have rotated out of their position more than 20 degrees.
What Impacts How Effectively Aligners Work?
For clear aligners to work well, you wear them for 22 hours daily. You are only supposed to take them out when you want to drink, eat, floss, brush, or clean them. Be careful when cleaning them. The plastic could warp if you utilize very hot water. This can change the fit, impacting your treatment progress and the success of the dental restorations.
The intricacy of your orthodontic problems can also impact how effectively your aligners work. Treatment might take longer if you have more complex bite or spacing problems.
Other factors that might contribute to this are age and sex. One study of thirty volunteers discovered that a patient's age may affect tooth movement. According to this research, the rate at which teeth move increases slightly from thirty-five to fifty. That means clear aligners could be more effective for this age group. Also, according to the same study, the shifting of teeth between ages fifty and seventy did not decline in women like in men.
Pros of Aligners
To assist you in determining whether clear aligners will work for you as an adult, let us look at the pros and cons of this treatment option. The pros of clear aligners include:
They Are Hardly Visible
When undergoing treatment with braces, most people overthink how they will change their appearance. They might feel embarrassed to socialize or smile as they used to, which can lower their self-confidence and self-esteem.
Among the most significant advantages of aligners is their being almost unnoticeable. It is unlikely that anybody will even realize that you have them on. That means you can laugh, socialize, and smile without feeling like everybody is looking at your dental restorations.
While teens might be timid as far as braces are concerned, grownups feel the same way. But with clear aligners, you can be more relaxed and comfortable when you meet clients, deliver work presentations, or socialize with customers.
They Correct Several Dental Problems
With all the benefits of wearing aligners, you might question whether they are as effective as traditional braces. Research shows that metal braces and clear aligners are ideal for treating oral problems. If you must undergo a lengthy treatment process, your orthodontist will advise you on the perfect option.
As the patient, you play a substantial part in the length and success of the treatment. Should you use aligners, you must do all you can to remove them as briefly as possible, as you might alter the treatment if you do not wear them for twenty-two hours daily.
If you wear the aligners religiously, you will achieve a great outcome. Your treatment time will be even shorter than people wearing traditional metal braces. This, of course, depends on the severity of your dental problem.
Almost Everyone Can Use Aligners
Of course, it is better to straighten your smile at a younger age, but that does not mean you can never do it when you are a grownup. An orthodontist might recommend clear aligners for teenagers and adults so individuals of any age can benefit. Of course, some individuals might not qualify for these dental restorations.
Your dental professional can recommend when to undergo treatment with braces depending on your age and capability to practice proper oral health. Therefore, do not feel shy or embarrassed if you are a grownup since you can still obtain an attractive smile.
No Food Restrictions
Traditional braces are known for being limiting as far as eating food is concerned. Some restricted foods include chewy or hard candy, certain fruits, popcorn, chewing gum, chips, and nuts. An orthodontist can also recommend limiting your sugar intake. Clear aligners do not have these limitations since you can remove them to drink or eat. Once you finish eating, you brush your teeth before reinserting the aligners. This means you will never avoid consuming your favorite drinks or foods.
They Are Easy to Clean
When undergoing orthodontic treatment, cavities, and other dental problems are the last problems you wish to experience. People who wear traditional braces must pay extra attention to their dental hygiene practices, which is tiresome. Cleaning metal braces might require using interdental cleaners, oral spraying systems, floss, and a toothbrush.
On the contrary, clear aligners are more comfortable and easier to clean. Your dental hygiene routine remains unchanged because you take them out to brush and floss. Clean your clear aligners before you reinsert them in the mouth; flossing is always an excellent idea.
Fewer Dental Appointments
Metal braces require adjusting. This means visiting the dentist often. On the contrary, clear aligners only require office appointments about once every two months. Usually, these visits are brief. During a visit, your dental professional will assess your teeth to ensure treatment goes according to plan. Then, they will give you another set of aligners to change often.
They Are Removable
The orthodontist does not attach Clear aligners to the teeth. Thus, you can remove them for some time if you want to. Remember to place them back after you are done to avoid delays in your treatment plan.
Cons of Aligners
Even with their pros, clear aligners also have their drawbacks. Some of these include:
They Require Treatment Compliance and Discipline
Aligners are removable, which is both a curse and a blessing. Even though they are flexible, they necessitate discipline and compliance with the treatment. If you choose this treatment option, you must wear the aligners. They need diligent and consistent wearing for a great outcome. Failing to wear them for the recommended twenty-two hours daily can substantially affect the treatment’s progress. That is, the treatment might fail or take longer.
They Are Unsuitable for Intricate Cases
Clear aligners can successfully address moderate to mild orthodontic problems. However, they might not be ideal for severe or complex cases, like jaw-related problems or misalignment. In these cases, your orthodontist may recommend metal braces or other orthodontic treatments. The orthodontist will assess your needs to establish the ideal solution.
You Must Remove them for Drinking and Eating.
Unlike traditional metal braces that you cannot remove yourself, clear aligners must be removed whenever you eat or drink anything apart from water. That is because the tray stains easily. You must be disciplined if you wear them. However, since you take these aligners out to eat, you will not have to adjust your diet, although most individuals see it as reasonable to avoid particular foods when wearing braces.
The Cost of Aligners
Among the main disadvantages of aligners is their cost. They range between $3,000 and $8,000, which can be considered very expensive. The prices vary based on several factors, like the intricacy of the treatment and the dental professional. However, these dental restorations are often offset by insurance options or payment plans, making the treatment affordable over time.
Possible Soreness and Discomfort
Clear aligners are more comfortable than traditional metal braces. However, they can lead to temporary soreness while the teeth adjust to each new set of trays. The discomfort is often mild and disappears within some days. Routine oral checkups can assist in managing the soreness and pain.
Risk of Damage or Loss
Since clear aligners are detachable, they are likely to be damaged or misplaced. Lost clear aligners can interfere with treatment progress and might incur further expenses. Proper care of these dental restorations is crucial. Store them in a clean and safe case when you do not have them on.
Find a Professional Orthodontist Near Me
If you are the perfect adult candidate for aligners, they will undoubtedly work for you. However, before undergoing the treatment, you want to weigh the pros and cons to make an informed decision. If you need help deciding, we at Lasting Impressions Dental Spa can help.
We pride ourselves on taking a caring and compassionate approach to dentistry. We will thoroughly review your dental condition before personalizing a treatment plan. If aligners are not ideal for you, we will recommend an option that will be just as successful. Call us at 818-751-5100 for a consultation. We serve patients looking for whichever dental service in Encino, CA.
