Dental aligners are removable, nearly invisible braces that help correct the alignment of teeth. Since they are almost invisible and transparent, they suit the gaining of an aesthetically appealing smile without all the pitfalls of metal wires and brackets.

Teeth aligner treatment in Singapore comprises a bespoke set of dental trays that can be removed easily while working to correct any issues of dental occlusion. Being removable, the effectiveness of dental aligners depends heavily on the practice of the patient, as the latter is responsible for donning them for the right quantum of time. Every tray is tailor-made for the patient, and so if they do not comply with the instructions of the dentist, the effectiveness of the complete treatment can be compromised.

Patients have the option of either at-home aligners or in-office aligners. The use of at-home aligners rests totally on the patient at his home. This makes it convenient for the patient but can have the risk of non-compliance that can impede the dental treatment. This option is cheaper as it can avoid the costs of repeated visits to the orthodontist. However, this treatment has more chances of failure. There is no guarantee of perfect results as it depends on patient compliance.

In the case of in-office aligners, they are set and adjusted at the office of the orthodontist. It can prove to be inconvenient as it needs frequent trips to the dentist. As such, it is also more expensive. However, there is less risk of failure of treatment since the dentist can make adjustments as per the needs of the patient. Thus, the continual care of the dentist makes this treatment more effective.

Reasons for using aligners
Some of the reasons why one will seek orthodontic treatment are:

• Difficulty in biting and chewing
When there is an issue in occlusal relationship (relationship between opposite teeth), it can lead to many problems to bite and chew food properly. This can lead to issues like gum disease, pain in the jaw or mouth, etc. Aligners can correct this problem.
• Misaligned teeth
Persons with naturally crooked teeth like to seek orthodontic treatment to gain an attractive smile. Some of the common issues that can be corrected are Open bite (no contact between upper and lower teeth), Crossbite (when lower teeth stay outside upper teeth), overcrowding of teeth (might be caused by less jaw space), the gap between teeth (like that between lower and upper incisors) etc.
• Deformities in the jaw
Deformed jaws can lead to tooth problems. Aligners can correct this with very little pain.
• Poor hygiene and bad breath
Crooked teeth create issues of hygiene as they cannot be cleaned easily and lead to food getting stuck within the teeth. This can cause problems like gum disease, bad breath, etc.
• Poor oral habits
Misaligned teeth can lead to oral problems like clenching of jaws, breathing through the mouth, biting of cheek, sucking of thumb etc.
• Vocal issues
Misaligned teeth can lead to issues like slurred speech, lisping, stammering, etc.
• Improvement in digestion
Digestion starts in the mouth, and improper chewing can impact it because of misaligned teeth. This can lead to nutritional deficits.
• Superior comfort in the mouth
Persons with poorly aligned teeth often bite their tongues, cheeks or lips by accident, causing much discomfort. The use of aligners can correct this.
• Improvement in self-esteem
Getting that perfect smile with a mouth full of perfectly aligned teeth can work wonders for your self-esteem.
Obvious benefits of teeth aligners
Teeth aligners are the more attractive mode of correcting teeth issues compared to metal and ceramic braces for the following reasons:
• There are nearly none or less dietary restrictions while using aligners since they can be removed while you eat.
• Dental aligners involve a bespoke and specific treatment plan that can be tweaked by the dentist when required.
• Simply clear aligners are almost invisible when you smile, making you less self-conscious, like in the case of ugly metal braces. This helps boost your self-confidence.
• Every tray of the aligners is tailor-made for you so you can avoid problems like bleeding or injuries.
• Being customised, aligners are much lighter than braces and will not irritate the mouth or the gums. You will experience slight discomfort for a few days when you get a new tray of aligners installed, which will soon disappear.
• Dental hygiene will not be compromised as you can remove the aligners when you need to brush or floss the teeth. Thus, oral hygiene is much better than that with metal braces that cannot be removed.
• There is less chance of discolouration of teeth because it is easy to brush them when you use aligners.
• Metal braces will need you to visit the orthodontist frequently (from 4 to 6 weeks) to adjust the braces. However, with aligners, you need to consult the dentist only every few months. Thus, the latter are more convenient.
• You can still pursue sporting activity after getting aligners. Patients with metallic braces are always in danger of hurting their cheeks or lips while pursuing sports. You can remove the aligners for the duration of the game. This is also true for those who wish to act or perform on stage without any impediment. You can also avoid embarrassing photos of yourself being taken with many visible braces.
• Dental aligners are also easily cleaned and maintained without the need for any complicated procedure.
• Aligners will not affect your social life and office duties.

Tips for proper use of aligners
Some common tips for the use of dental aligners are:
• Wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. Take them out only while eating, drinking or brushing.
• Keep them clean by using a brush with soft bristles and warm water.
• Keep up your oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly.
• Limit consumption of beverages except for water.
• Store the aligners with care to prevent loss, infection or damage.
• Follow the schedule for wearing aligners according to the treatment plan of the orthodontist. Follow the schedule with precision.
• Consult with a dentist at regular intervals.
• Smile with confidence; the aligners are almost invisible.

In sum, teeth aligners are highly effective for correcting misalignments of teeth and are currently more popular than traditional metal braces. While the cost of these tools may be relatively higher, the impact on self-confidence and oral health makes it a worthy investment.