Explanation of the [Serafin Appliance] for Those Considering Clear Aligners at Gangseo Dental Clinic

Hello, I’m Lee Su-gyeong, a specialist in Integrated Dentistry at Gangseo Dental Clinic.

Cavity treatment or root canal treatment usually finishes relatively quickly,

but implants and orthodontic treatment take a long time.

In particular, the process of aligning the teeth

takes at least 12 to 16 months,

and in some cases more than two years.

So many people think about it

very carefully before starting.

But the choice does not end there.

Once you decide to go ahead with treatment,

the next thing to consider is the appliance.

Because the treatment lasts for a long time,

you look into things like

• whether it will be uncomfortable

• whether it will be very noticeable

You also try to find what suits you best

and look at reviews.

In the case of the brackets that have traditionally been used a lot,

they are attached to the tooth surface and connected with wires.

As the material changed from metal to ceramic,

the material itself became more transparent,

but it is still visible and noticeable when you smile.

Also, because they are attached to the tooth surface,

they can catch on the cheeks or tongue and cause wounds,

and they are uncomfortable to the point that marks can be left on the cheeks.

Food easily gets stuck after meals,

so brushing is by no means easy.

That is why many people now prefer clear orthodontic treatment,

and today at Gangseo Dental Clinic,

we would like to explain [Serafin].

Q. What is Serafin?

It is a type of clear aligner that, unlike brackets,

uses a transparent sleeve-shaped guard

to guide tooth movement.

Gangseo Dental Clinic Integrated Dentistry Specialist Lee Su-gyeong

What are the features of Serafin?

Because it is not noticeable when actually worn,

it has the advantage of being aesthetically pleasing.

That is why it is especially suitable for flight attendants, people who give lectures or attend many meetings,

and those who work in sports such as soccer or basketball

and are at higher risk of trauma.

In addition, because it is a removable type that patients can take out and put in themselves when needed,

it can be removed when eating or brushing,

so there is less concern that food will get stuck and make brushing complicated

or that cavities will develop because brushing does not go well.

Since it can reduce discomfort during orthodontic treatment,

interest in it is high.

It seems there are many questions about it as well,

so to help reduce your concerns,

I will answer the frequently asked questions here.

Gangseo Dental Clinic Integrated Dentistry Specialist Lee Su-gyeong

Q&A

Q. Unlike brackets, doesn’t it not move the teeth well?

A. Yes, that can happen sometimes.

The reason is [wear time], and I will explain it in detail at Gangseo Dental Clinic.

Fixed brackets cannot be removed by the patient,

so orthodontic force is applied 24 hours a day.

In other words, force is being applied to the teeth all day long.

On the other hand, Serafin is removable,

so when the patient takes the appliance out, no orthodontic force is applied.

It needs to be worn for more than 20 hours a day,

but what if you often forget and cannot wear it?

The tooth movement will be slower by that much.

So if cooperation is not sufficient,

brackets may be the better option.

If the patient wears it well for more than 20 hours a day,

the result is the same, with only the appliance being different.

That means it does not extend the treatment period or affect tooth movement.

Q. How do the teeth move?

A. The key is the attachment.

If a door handle did not exist, it would be hard to open.

Likewise, it is difficult to move teeth with only a sleeve-shaped appliance.

That is why attachments that act like handles are bonded to the tooth surface.

They are very similar in color to natural teeth,

so they are not noticeable even when attached to the tooth surface.

Q. Then how is the appliance made?

For that process, I will explain in a little more detail while looking at the materials prepared by Gangseo Dental Clinic.

From the first visit to the fabrication stage

First, various X-rays,

intraoral photos, and oral scans are used

to identify the problems with the alignment.

Based on the data obtained during the diagnosis process,

the final stage is simulated.

At this stage, the in-house developed digital software

SERAview is used to establish an accurate treatment plan,

and it is known for its excellent completeness and realism.

While reviewing the simulation with the patient,

we discuss whether there are areas they would like to modify further

and proceed with the refinement process.

After that, from the initial state to reaching the final stage,

the process of tooth movement is predicted,

and the appliances are made accordingly.

In other words, movement is predicted through simulation,

and multiple Serafin appliances are produced.

Today, at Gangseo Dental Clinic, we shared information that may be a good solution for those considering clear aligners.

I hope this was helpful in making your choice,

and I will wrap up here.

This has been Lee Su-gyeong. Thank you.