Clear aligners for aesthetic and effective treatment
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 14th November 2022
When it comes to orthodontics, there are many reasons why patients may require treatment. But with demand for orthodontic treatment increasing, particularly among those with a preference for clear aligners, it is useful for clinicians to have a good understanding of what their patients need, and why they may prefer a clear removable aligner to other orthodontic appliances.
The history of aligners
The concept of a removable aligner came about in 1945, when Kesling used wax models of patients’ anatomies and rubber materials to create retainers. He noticed that these retainers not only helped with retention of completed orthodontic cases, but also resulted in minor tooth movement. He predicted that it may be possible to perform significant movements with these appliances, and after successful trials, the scope of orthodontic treatment expanded.[i]
Over the years, many developments in the world of removable aligners have been observed. In 1959, Dr Nahoum attempted to refine Kesling’s technique, using a vacuum to fabricate a firm and accurate appliance, which was then fitted to a model demonstrating the desired outcome. Then, in 1971 Ponitz created invisible retainers, and as time progressed, clear aligner models continued to be developed, with creators boasting their ability to facilitate proper tooth alignment.i
Techniques were later established to make the manufacturing process easier and more convenient with the advancement of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) – first adopted by dentistry around 1985.[ii] Using graphics and customising post-treatment models with innovative software made the process more accurate – reducing the time taken and allowing production on a much larger scale too. This made clear aligners more accessible for both clinicians and patients.i
Who’s receiving orthodontic treatment and why?
Now to the present day – with popularity for clear aligners surging,[iii] research suggests a growing preference for the comfort and aesthetic benefits they bring, when compared to traditional fixed metal braces.
Firstly, gender seems to play a role in the popularity of orthodontic treatment. Research suggests that there is more demand from women (87.94%) than men (12.06%), with 72.57% of women wishing to undergo treatment for aesthetic purposes, compared to only 54.84% of men.[iv]
Clear aligners are preferred by the majority of patients (67.7%) compared to other options like traditional fixed braces, because clear aligners are perceived to be less painful,[v] to cause fewer problems when it comes to eating, and be less noticeable.iv
It is also worth noting the secondary effect of orthodontic appliances on oral hygiene. During orthodontic therapy, it seems that patients are more likely to take better care of their teeth, maintaining high-standards of oral hygiene. Research suggests that daily tooth brushing increased by 48.94% and flossing by 126.39%.iv This appears to be an added benefit of undergoing orthodontic treatment, resulting in overall improved oral health. And, research suggests that it is easier to remove plaque from teeth which are aligned, therefore lowering the risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease.[vi]
Effectiveness of clear aligners compared to fixed appliances
We’ve established that clear aligners are the preferred orthodontic appliance by many patients, with their popularity set to continue rising. So, when compared to traditional fixed metal braces, how do clear aligners compete? Research suggests that both clear aligners and traditional braces are effective at treating malocclusion. Clear aligners perform particularly well in segmented movement of teeth as well as being able to provide shorter treatment durations.[vii]
There is also a comparison to be made amongst different clear aligner models. For example, if we compare various trimline heights, those with trimlines 2mm above the gingival margin are 2.5x more retentive than those with scalloped edges.[viii] With developments such as this being made within the industry, clear aligners are only set to improve and continue to be a fantastic option for your patients who require orthodontic treatment.
When selecting a clear aligner solution for your patients, consider ClearCorrect®, a Straumann Group brand. ClearCorrect® offers the premier solution for removable orthodontics, engineered to deliver predictability, adaptability, and precision, while also optimising retention. The third generation ClearQuartz™ tri-layer material is engineered to apply gentle, continuous force over the entire wear time, and retains 10x more of its initial force when compared to single layer aligners. Plus, dentists have complete control, with ClearCorrect®featuring cut outs for elastics, buttons and bite ramps for targeted treatment.
The ability to offer your patients the option of clear aligners, in addition to traditional orthodontic appliances, is likely to encourage increased patient satisfaction and even attract new patients to your practice. Consider introducing clear aligners to your armamentarium for fantastic results and a more enjoyable experience for your patients.
For more information on ClearCorrect®, visit: https://www.straumann.com/clearcorrect/en/home.html
[i] Ganta, Gopala Krishna, et al. “Clear aligners, the aesthetic solution: a review.” International Journal of Dental Materials 3.3 (2021): 90-95. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ganta-Gopala-Krishna/publication/353640471_Clear_aligners_the_aesthetic_solution_a_review/links/620ee20b08bee946f389dca6/Clear-aligners-the-aesthetic-solution-a-review.pdf
[ii] Prajapati, Aalap, et al. “Dentistry goes digital: a Cad-Cam way-a review article.” IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences 13.8 (2014): 53-59. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Aalap-Prajapati/publication/273865638_Dentistry_Goes_Digital_A_Cad-Cam_Way-_A_Review_Article/links/5f8523a7a6fdccfd7b5cbe3a/Dentistry-Goes-Digital-A-Cad-Cam-Way-A-Review-Article.pdf
[iii] Tamer, İpek, Evren Öztaş, and Gülnaz Marşan. “Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners and the scientific reality behind their marketing: a literature review.” Turkish journal of orthodontics 32.4 (2019): 241. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7018497/
[iv] Saccomanno, S., et al. “Motivation, Perception, and Behavior of the Adult Orthodontic Patient: A Survey Analysis.” BioMed Research International 2022 (2022). https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2022/2754051/
[v] Pereira, Dinis, et al. “Comparison of pain perception between clear aligners and fixed appliances: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Applied Sciences 10.12 (2020): 4276. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/12/4276/htm
[vi] Bollen, Anne‐Marie. “Effects of malocclusions and orthodontics on periodontal health: evidence from a systematic review.” Journal of dental education 72.8 (2008): 912-918. https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.503.1933&rep=rep1&type=pdf
[vii] Ke, Yunyan, Yanfei Zhu, and Min Zhu. “A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies.” BMC Oral Health 19.1 (2019): 1-10.
https://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12903-018-0695-z
[viii] Cowley, D. The effect of gingival-margin design on the retention of thermoformed aligners. J Clin Orthod. 2012 Nov;46(11):697-702
