5+1 myths about Orthodontics with aligners

The good news in the scientific orthodontic community came three decades ago when modern advances in technology allowed the development of a new method for correcting orthodontic irregularities, Invisible Orthodontics, without the use of traditional brackets (“braces“).

Invisible orthodontics is the process of correcting orthodontic irregularities using a series of thin, clear aligners, which when placed sequentially in the mouth, progressively move the teeth in the desired direction.

It is the alternative and more aesthetically acceptable solution for those who want orthodontic treatment but are discouraged by traditional “braces”. Invisible orthodontics has now become everyday practice in our offices while simultaneously setting new horizons, new scientific problems and questions in daily practice.

What to watch out for when starting treatment with aligners

Myth 1: “I don’t need an orthodontist to straighten just one or two teeth.”

or “I have a small orthodontic problem, I don’t need an orthodontist.”

Continuous advertising and information overload has created a huge misunderstanding regarding invisible orthodontic treatments. Most people believe that orthodontic treatment is done simply by wearing invisible aligners. Every technique, old or new, is a TOOL in the hands of your doctor. The result of your treatment depends on their knowledge and ability. Orthodontics is not just about the aesthetic straightening of your teeth, it is much more. Tooth movements affect occlusion, our jawbones, gums, speech, soft tissues, your profile and above all the health of your teeth!

Specialist orthodontists have:

a) three additional years of training beyond general dentists, as well as

b) official certification for the Invisible Orthodontic techniques they apply.

So do not entrust your treatment to general assurances, media promises and miracles!

Seek out and trust specialist orthodontists.

Myth 2: “I found my treatment very cheaply.”

“The cheap ends up costing you dearly!” my grandmother used to say.

A proper treatment with invisible aligners by a certified specialist orthodontist has a significant inelastic laboratory cost, as the aligners are digitally manufactured by high-technology machines, with digital simulations, 3D printers, etc. They last a considerable period of time and require specialized knowledge from your orthodontist.

So inform yourself responsibly and maintain reservations and distance from proposed quick and cheap offers. A simple “straightening” of the teeth will probably lead you to an aesthetic, financial and psychological dead end resulting in the repetition of the entire process with everything that entails.

Myth 3: “All aligners that straighten teeth are INVISALIGN.”

Not all clear aligners on the market are INVISALIGN. Invisalign is a registered trademark and name of a specific American company that digitally manufactures clear aligners. It is one of the first companies to appear on the market and today is the leader in its field. The term Invisalign is used abusively and misleadingly for all kinds of clear aligners, which are made even in simple Greek dental laboratories, resulting in incomplete treatments, minimal possibilities for a perfect orthodontic result, and potential damage to teeth and jawbones.

Insist on being informed about what problem exactly you have, which brand your aligners will be from, what are the capabilities of that specific company and what it can correct. Not all companies on the market have the same capabilities and of course we are not discussing anonymous aligners manufactured by private dental technicians.

What is the result of inadequate and hasty information? Long-term and incomplete treatments that end up being repeated from scratch by a specialist orthodontist with additional financial and psychological cost.

Myth 4: “My mouth cannot be fixed with aligners, only with braces.”

Patients often arrive at our office having received the categorical assurance that their problem CANNOT be corrected with invisible aligners! Wrong! The capabilities of aligner orthodontics today are such that in the hands of an excellently trained orthodontist, it achieves the same ideal results as traditional braces.

What happens in reality and why does this misinformation exist? Dentists who are inadequately or not at all trained attempt treatments with invisible aligners, leaving the entire treatment progression to the laboratory, and not knowing how to control the complexity of the treatment, they resort in the best case to “your mouth cannot be fixed with aligners” or in the worst case take on cases that do not end correctly despite their initial assurances.

Myth 5: “Now I have straight teeth, so I will have straight teeth for my entire life!”

Just as everything changes in our body over time, so it happens with the position of our teeth. Research has proven that our teeth move throughout our lives, regardless of whether we have had orthodontic treatment in the past or not. Especially if our teeth have undergone orthodontic movements, they tend to return to their previous position.

To maintain a perfect smile, permanent orthodontic retention is needed FOR LIFE, otherwise we risk relapse resulting in a 2nd and 3rd repetition of orthodontic treatment.

Myth 6: “Only adults can do orthodontics with aligners.”

We saved the good news of the day for last: Invisible orthodontics now ALSO for children. No more braces and retainers!

The orthodontics of the future is here. We can now treat children with clear aligners from the age of 6-7 years. Both orthodontic prevention and full orthodontic treatment can be done with the Invisible Orthodontics technique.

Our children can now eat and brush comfortably, have during their treatment an easier, hygienic and much more aesthetically acceptable daily life and smile broadly at us.