Invisalign / Clear Aligners

With this treatment, mild to moderate dental abnormalities are eliminated. With specially designed aligners, crooked, protruding and misaligned teeth can be easily corrected. It also allows to close large gaps between the teeth and create a biting experience where the upper and lower teeth meet when the mouth is closed.

This treatment method utilizes three-dimensional computer imaging technology. In this way, the entire treatment plan is made from the first appearance of the patient's teeth to the targeted final appearance and the patient is given detailed information about the stages of the treatment. In addition, thanks to the computer technology, the patient can digitally see the image of the mouth at the beginning and end of the treatment. The relationship between the upper and lower jaws is then computerized using digital intraoral scanners. The patient's teeth are measured accurately and the size and number of aligners are adjusted accordingly. These aligners attached to the teeth are created in sets. The number of aligners varies depending on the patient's orthodontic problem. The aligner set, which allows the teeth to move slowly, is completely customized according to the patient's teeth. Composite buttons are placed on the teeth during the treatment process. Each aligner placed on the patient's teeth is used for two weeks and then replaced with a new aligner. After the delivery of the aligners, the patient is called for a check-up once a month. The dentist wants to do a control examination to see the change in the patient. Also during these check-ups, the dentist creates the next set of aligners and delivers them to the patient. After the end of the treatment, it may be necessary to wear a retainer for a certain period of time to prevent the patient's teeth from returning to their previous shape.

This treatment method is preferred in the treatment of a wide range of dental problems. 

Situations where Invisalign treatment is necessary;

• It is primarily used in the case of crooked teeth. There are actually many reasons why teeth become crooked. This can cause both functional and aesthetic problems. It can also make it difficult to maintain oral hygiene. Advanced crooked teeth can worsen over time and cause severely crooked teeth. It can also lead to plaque and tartar buildup, tooth decay and more gum disease.
• It is a treatment method that aims to eliminate dental problems such as curvature and dislocation of teeth. This method is often used for crowding and closing large gaps between teeth.
• It is applied to patients with problems such as crossbite, overbite and open bite. Overbite can also lead to gum problems or irritation, wear on the lower teeth, painful jaw and joint problems. In addition, crossbite causes one or more upper teeth to close into the lower teeth. Over time, this can lead to tooth wear, gum disease and bone loss. An open bite can lead to poor or painful chewing and even speech disorders. 
• Transparent aligners can also be used when the lower teeth are more prominent. This is because more prominent lower teeth can interfere with the normal function of the front teeth or molars and cause tooth wear. It can also lead to painful jaw and joint problems. 
• This treatment method can also be used if there are large gaps between the teeth. Gap problems and large gaps between teeth can cause gum problems and the risk of advanced periodontal disease.

In order for this treatment method to be applied, all deciduous teeth must have fallen out and incisors and molars must have erupted in pediatric patients. In children, this occurs at approximately 13-14 years of age. There is no upper age limit for the treatment to be applied after the necessary teeth have erupted. However, it can treat dental problems such as minimal and moderate crookedness and misalignment in a healthy way. Therefore, in order to fully evaluate whether the patient is suitable for this treatment, the specialist dentist should check the condition of the teeth with a detailed examination.

There are some issues that are effective in determining the exact duration of treatment. For example; whether the patient uses these aligners regularly for the appropriate period of time, the amount of crowded teeth, the size of the space between the teeth and the number of aligners produced accordingly, and the importance given to oral and aligner hygiene. In this method, the average duration of treatment is between 12-18. However, the shortening or lengthening of these periods varies according to the patient's dental problems.

First of all, the patient must be very careful when using these aligners in daily life. First of all, the patient should clean both his/her teeth and aligners thoroughly before wearing the aligners and before going to bed. The toothbrush to be used should be soft. Gum lines and teeth should be cleaned in a slow circular motion. In addition to tooth brushing, dental floss should also be used. Because plaque and food residues between the teeth can only be cleaned completely with dental floss. In addition, a cleaning solution recommended by the doctor can also be used for plaque cleaning. In addition, plaques should always be kept in a clean box when they are not in the mouth and hot water should not be placed in it. This is because hot water can damage the plaque's plastic.

Clear aligner treatment has several advantages over traditional braces treatment methods. These advantages can be listed as follows:

• First of all, in this treatment method, the treatment result can be easily seen in a 3D virtual environment before the treatment.
• The most effective advantage is that these aligners can be removed and inserted very easily. In normal braces treatments, food easily escapes between the teeth while eating and this can cause problems during cleaning. In the transparent aligner application, the aligners can be easily removed during eating. Thus, the patient's daily eating and drinking habits are not negatively affected by the treatment. 
• This method does not cause any discomfort to the teeth or gums. This is because the trays used in this treatment are made of soft, non-metal platelets.
• Normal brushing and flossing is easier.
• During treatment, the dentist is not visited very often for check-ups.
• Invisible orthodontics can give the patient more freedom of movement. Wireless orthodontic treatment method is very important especially in terms of not restricting the comfort of patients in their daily life routine.
• Transparent aligners minimize the possibility of irritation to the teeth, gums or other soft tissues in the mouth because they contain a soft, metal-free material. It also prevents the development of allergic reactions due to metal. 
• It allows treatment to be performed even at an advanced age.
• It is very comfortable to use because it is very simple to remove in situations such as eating and brushing teeth. Since the transparent aligners can be removed by the patient at any time, they provide a comfort zone for the patient during feeding and cleaning. 
• They can be removed for an important meeting or public speaking.

The differences between clear aligners and braces are as follows:

• Since transparent aligners are much less visible than other braces, they are not noticeable unless you look very closely.
• Transparent aligners may stain more easily than braces. 
• Compared to other braces, clear aligners are more durable.
• Transparent aligners put less pressure on the teeth. In this way, the teeth achieve the desired appearance more gently and more quickly.
• Clear aligners are suitable for addressing minor to moderate orthodontic problems. Traditional metal braces are suitable for correcting more complex and advanced misalignments.
• Transparent aligner application, also known as wire-free orthodontics, provides more aesthetic treatment than braces since there are no brackets and bands on the teeth.
• The painful process experienced during braces treatment is largely eliminated in invisalign treatment.
• - Invisalign treatment is easier and faster than braces treatment.

Compared to metal braces, clear aligners more closely resemble the texture of real teeth and only cover the tooth surface. Therefore, there are no problems with speech after getting used to the aligners.

This treatment does not harm the teeth as long as oral hygiene, plaque cleaning and other rules are followed. When the aligners are first fitted, there may be a slight pressure and pain in the teeth. However, this situation disappears after the teeth adapt to the plaque. In addition, if food and beverages are consumed while the aligners are worn, white spots may appear on the teeth of the patients. In order to prevent this, it is of great importance to follow the necessary rules in the use of plaque.

If oral hygiene is observed when using these aligners and the aligners are cleaned after each removal, they will not cause bad breath. In addition, sugary, acidic and hot foods and drinks should not be consumed while the aligners are in place.

If a successful and fast treatment process is desired, the patient should wear the aligners for approximately 20 hours a day. They should remain in the mouth continuously except for eating and brushing during the day.