Straight teeth are healthier teeth

You only have to glance at a billboard or flip open a magazine to understand why patients are becoming increasingly self-conscious of their smiles. However unless significant orthodontic issues are apparent, a beautiful, straight smile has long been heralded as something a patient wants and not always something they feel they need - until now.

Research shows there is a direct correlation between malocclusions and patient health. Patients suffering from poor occlusions have an increased susceptibility to sensitivity, inflamed and bleeding gums, gingival recession, loose teeth, an increased chance of abnormal wear patterns on their teeth, bone loss and potential discolouration of their teeth where crowded. Poorly aligned teeth can also put more stress on the supporting jaw bone and joints.

Whilst it seems logical that all patients should invest in orthodontic treatments to promote better oral health in the long run, doing so using traditional fixed appliances can compromise oral hygiene in the short term. This is due to an increase in plaque accumulation around bands and brackets and a more difficult cleaning regime.

Advancements in orthodontics like Invisalign, however, are helping patients undergo treatment that is beneficial long term without compromising their oral health in the process. Invisalign has not only proven to be an effective treatment alternative to braces, but the removable nature of the aligners means Invisalign also allows for optimum oral health during treatment.

Removability - friend or foe?

The virtually invisible and removable nature of Invisalign aligners make it a popular choice for both adult and teen patients, who often request this treatment option for its aesthetic benefits. And, whilst the ability to remove the Aligners increases acceptance of treatment initially, it has been criticised by doctors who question the impact this might have on overall treatment compliance and subsequent success.

Whilst compliance concerns do encourage doctors to lean in favour of fixed appliances, this isn't always the best solution for a patient's overall oral health during treatment.

For many patients, fixed appliances make the simple act of cleaning their teeth quite an ordeal. The undercuts and rough surfaces associated with orthodontic bands and brackets make brushing and flossing more time consuming and complicated - inevitably resulting in an increase in plaque accumulation around the bands and brackets.

Invisalign, on the other hand, provides a complete oral health solution for patients who are unhappy with their smiles. The ability to brush and floss normally throughout their treatment is a huge patient benefit. In some cases, a patient suffering from poor oral hygiene will actually find that their periodontal health improves throughout the course of orthodontic treatment using the Invisalign System, as patients in aligners are more dentally aware and spend more time cleaning and brushing during treatment.

As Dr Robert Boyd summarises in his article in the November 2005 edition of Access, there are significant hygiene advantages when using the Invisalign System. These include:

• Easier and more effective removal of plaque and control of gingival inflammation during the active phase of treatment with full-time wear of the appliances;
• Easier instrumentation for hygiene maintenance appointments due to the removable nature of the sequential plastic aligners; and
• Better control of increased mobility because of the splinting effect of the appliance.

Invisalign aligners are manufactured using advanced 3D computer imaging technology and a series of virtually invisible, custom made aligners are created to move the teeth into the desired position. Invisalign patients usually receive three to four aligners per visit which means that oral health can be regularly monitored throughout the course of treatment (every six to eight weeks). Invisalign is suitable for most adults and teenagers and the length of treatment and cost is comparable to braces.

There are patients who are unaware that treatment with Invisalign is a viable alternative to fixed appliances. This can be a hurdle for patients who are concerned with their malocclusion, as they do not feel that fixed appliances fit into their lifestyle and therefore do not raise their alignment concerns with their dental professional.