Everything You Need to Know About Clear Aligners at Euljiro Dental Clinic! A Complete Guide to Straightening Teeth Discreetly

Hello, this is Euljiro Dental Clinic. In recent years, as interest in appearance has increased, the number of people receiving orthodontic treatment has grown significantly. However, many people hesitated to get orthodontic treatment because braces were noticeable, especially working adults and students who have social lives. For those people, Euljiro Dental Clinic would like to organize and share methods that made orthodontic treatment clear and less noticeable.

Table of Contents

1. The concept and principles of clear aligners

2. Features and advantages of Invisalign

3. Why choose clear aligners

4. Step-by-step Invisalign treatment process

5. Precautions and management methods for clear aligners

6. Expected results and effects after clear aligner treatment

The Concept and Principles of Clear Aligners

Orthodontic appliances were tools used to align teeth properly, but visible metal appliances often interfered with social life. Clear aligners were developed to overcome these drawbacks. As the name suggests, clear aligners use orthodontic appliances made from transparent plastic material. These appliances are not attached to the teeth and can be freely removed and worn by the patient. Therefore, they are convenient because they can be removed when eating or brushing teeth, and they are also aesthetically excellent because they are not noticeable to others.

Unlike conventional braces, the appliances need to be replaced periodically as the teeth move, and they must be worn actively according to the dentist’s instructions in order to achieve the desired results. During the manufacturing process, 3D scanning technology was used to accurately assess the patient’s dental condition, and computer simulation was used to predict the path of tooth movement.

Features and Advantages of Invisalign

Invisalign is a type of clear aligner and is an orthodontic system developed by Align Technology in the United States. Euljiro Dental Clinic will also explain its main features.

• Special material: It used a specially reinforced plastic material, giving it high durability and elasticity, and its thin 0.7 mm thickness reduced foreign-body sensation and provided a comfortable fit.

• Precise adjustment: It could control minute amounts of tooth movement, making it applicable to various malocclusion cases.

• Customized production: Using computer technology, it was custom-made to fit each patient’s dental condition, and it was highly trusted, with more than 9 million patients worldwide having used it.

• Broad applicability: Unlike general clear aligners, it could move even molars, making it effective for extraction cases and complex orthodontic cases. Teeth were gradually moved by replacing the aligners with new ones every 6 to 8 weeks.

Then why did so many people choose clear aligners? Euljiro Dental Clinic will explain this in detail as well.^^

Excellent aesthetics

Conventional orthodontic appliances were attached to the teeth, which made them noticeable and less visually appealing. In contrast, clear aligners were made of transparent plastic material, so they were not easily visible, and because they could be removed, they caused less inconvenience in daily life such as eating and brushing teeth.

Convenience and time savings

The number of clinic visits was lower, which saved time and money. Conventional orthodontic treatment required visits every 4 weeks for appliance adjustments, but clear aligners only required visits every 2 to 4 months. In addition, the appliances could be cleaned, making them hygienic and making dental care easier.

Less pain and easier adjustment

Because they were made of a soft material, they caused less irritation to the teeth, and the discomfort felt when first wearing them was also minimal. They also did not interfere with pronunciation, so they did not disrupt social life. For these reasons, at the time, the number of patients preferring clear aligners also increased at Euljiro Dental Clinic, but it was still best to consult with medical staff before deciding whether it was the right case for treatment.

Invisalign treatment proceeded in the following stages:

1. Planning and scanning stage

First, the oral condition was examined, and the path of tooth movement was identified through X-rays and dental plaster models. After that, a 3D oral scanner was used to create a digital image of the teeth.

2. Appliance fabrication stage

Based on the digital images, the movement path of the teeth was calculated using Invisalign software, and custom clear aligners were fabricated accordingly. During this process, the post-treatment appearance could be previewed through computer simulation.

3. Wearing stage

The fabricated aligners were worn in sequence. In general, it was recommended to wear them for 20 to 22 hours or more per day. They could be removed only when eating or brushing teeth.

4. Visit and checkup stage

Patients visited the dental clinic periodically so the appliances could be adjusted and the movement of the teeth could be checked. Usually, they visited every 2 to 4 weeks, but the interval could vary depending on the speed of tooth movement.

5. Completion and retention stage

When tooth movement was complete, the orthodontic appliances were removed and a retainer was worn. The retainer had to be worn for a certain period to prevent teeth from shifting back.

Precautions and Management Methods for Clear Aligners

1. Sufficient wearing time: The appliance was effective only if worn for a certain amount of time, so it was best to wear it as long as possible.

2. Thorough hygiene management: When wearing the appliance, the teeth had to be cleaned thoroughly, and the appliance itself also had to be cleaned properly.

3. Dietary precautions: While wearing the appliance, chewing food or eating hard foods should be avoided.

4. Appliance care: If the appliance became deformed or damaged, the patient should visit the dental clinic immediately for treatment.

5. Regular checkups: Patients needed to visit the dental clinic regularly to check the movement of the teeth and adjust the appliance.

[Management Methods]

1. Daily cleaning: The teeth and appliance were cleaned thoroughly every morning and evening. At that time, it was recommended to clean them with water only, without using toothpaste.

2. Proper cleaning method: The appliance was not placed in hot water, and detergents or disinfectants containing alcohol were not used.

3. Storage method: When storing the appliance, it was kept in a dedicated case.

4. What to do if damaged: If the appliance was lost or damaged, the dental clinic had to be contacted immediately so a replacement could be made.

Expected Results and Effects After Clear Aligner Treatment

Expected results

1. Improved alignment: Crooked or spaced teeth were neatly aligned.

2. Improved facial shape: Protrusion or retrusion of the teeth was corrected, improving facial appearance.

3. Improved occlusal function: Bite alignment was improved, enhancing the function of chewing food.

4. Improved oral health: Dental hygiene became easier, helping to prevent cavities and gum disease.

Main effects

1. Excellent aesthetics: It had excellent aesthetics, and because the appliance was not noticeable, it did not interfere with social life.

2. Convenient usability: Because the appliance could be removed and worn again, it was convenient when eating or brushing teeth.

3. Short treatment period: Compared with conventional orthodontic treatment, the treatment period was shorter.

4. Less discomfort: There was less pain and less foreign-body sensation, so patient discomfort was reduced.

Clear aligners were not suitable for everyone, but many adults achieved satisfying results with them. They were especially popular among working adults with social lives and students with frequent external activities. It was important to consider your dental condition, lifestyle, and budget to find the right orthodontic method. Please refer to the information shared by Euljiro Dental Clinic. Thank you!