The influence and the role of the smile in the interactions of the daily life are not any more to prove. Whether to signify the agreement, to show the complicity or the gratitude, the smile often allows to say as much as the language. The smile is a symbol not only of sympathy and pleasure, but also of health. But many people do not dare to smile embarrassed by the general appearance of their teeth.

There are many solutions to improve the appearance of the smile and correct different aspects of the dentition with functional implications such as the presence of malocclusion. When it comes to tooth alignment, most people think of conventional “spindles”, which consist of housings affixed to the teeth and connected together by a wire. This is, in fact, the most well-known orthodontic correction method. This process, which remains today the most effective means of orthodontics to obtain exemplary results, can sometimes be feared by some people, especially because of its appearance considered unsightly.

There are also, for several years now, other methods recognized for their aesthetics such as transparent aligners. The process on which the operation of the transparent aligners is based is not new. It was developed in 1945 but has evolved a lot since then. Research and the discovery of new, more efficient materials have made it possible to refine these techniques.

Invisalign and ClearCorrect transparent shells manufactured by SmileMeUp, which are the most used today, were developed in the early 2000s. The technique on which the transparent aligners are based requires the use of a series of “invisible” shells, manufactured customized for each patient due to the new CAD / CAM technology (Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Manufacturing). These shells are placed directly on the teeth and can move them gradually to the desired position. Although removable, they must be worn at all times, except during meals and brushing. The series of shells are changed approximately every two weeks, depending on the progress of the treatment.

Transparent aligners have many advantages. It is also possible to enjoy one of them even before starting treatment; a virtual simulation of the treatment makes it possible to visualize, in the company of the orthodontist, the processing steps in the form of video and thus to see the final result to which the wearing of the aligners will lead. In addition, the use of this type of treatment does not require to adapt the power supply, as required by fixed devices (“pins”), because the aligners are removed at mealtimes. Finally, this method is considered very aesthetic, since practically invisible.

Despite their many benefits, clear aligners are not suitable for treating all types of orthodontic problems. In other words, these devices cannot systematically replace conventional “pins”, especially in the most complex cases. In this regard, it is important to check with a certified orthodontist to find out if you are a good candidate for transparent aligners.