Aligners in orthodontics: A review

Abstract

As the demand for esthetic treatments is increasing, more people are seeking alternatives to fixed orthodontic appliances. Clear aligners are an esthetic and comfortable option for orthodontic treatment and have gained immense popularity over the last decade. This review will highlight the increasing popularity of clear aligners by describing some aligner systems frequently used today. Most of the patients seeking orthodontic treatment these days are motivated by esthetic considerations. The majority of these patients rejects wearing conventional orthodontic appliances and has a strong preference towards more esthetic treatment options, including lingual orthodontics and esthetic thermoformed appliances. The Align technology introduced the invisalign appliance in 1999, since then the Invisalign appliance and similar kinds have gained tremendous attention from adult patients and dental professionals. The thermoformed esthetic appliances (invisible retainers and clear aligners) are gaining an increasing interest as an alternative treatment option in adult patient in multidisciplinary complex cases to simplify the treatment plan. Introduction Esthetic concerns are often a significant factor for most patients, many of whom are unwilling to wear braces, because they do not want the look of fixed appliances. This has produced a demand for more aesthetic appliances. In a study conducted by Nedwed et al. of 54 patients, it was found that the majority of patients who undergo this treatment are females (78%) and this is probably related to the greater attention to the aesthetic aspect [9]. The esthetic thermoformed appliances represent an option in the treatment of simple malocclusions but have some limitations; in However, the expense in production, dependency on patient cooperation, and the inability to treat certain malocclusions limit the usage of clear aligners [1, 3, 5] fact, achieving similar results to those obtained with conventional fixed orthodontic appliances can be difficult. Nevertheless, such devices show excellent aesthetic during treatment phases, ease of use, is comfortable to wear and show superior oral hygiene. Despite growing popularity and its use even in complex cases [2, 3] , questions still remains concerning the proper use of this technique and its limitations due to the characteristics of the material and the thermoforming process, which in specific cases can limit or even make the use of clear aligners very difficult. The purpose of this article is to discuss some of the key benefits and some limitations, inconveniences and potential hazards associated with invisible retainers and clear aligner therapy