INVISALIGN Technique Aligners
1.Introduction
Since their birth, multi-bracket techniques have continued to evolve, allowing orthodontists to treat the majority of malocclusions. The major drawback until then was the unsightly side of the devices, which was difficult for patients, mainly adults, to accept.
This demand for “invisible orthodontics” has led orthodontists to develop an aesthetic system such as lingual or aligners.
The original idea of this new way of moving teeth is not new and was put forward and experimented with by Harold Kesling as early as 1945 (Tooth Positioner).
Back in fashion with the creation of Invisalign, many publications have been able to assess the advantages and disadvantages of treatments carried out by a series of thermoformed gutters called ” aligners” in the professional or general press. The first reference article was published in 2000 by Boyd, et al.
2. Definition:
- This method is the latest revolutionary technique in the field of dental appliances and orthodontic treatment. It is based on the use of a series of transparent and removable thermoplastic aligners to achieve dental movements.
- The invisible aligner, also called “aligners”, allows for discreet orthodontic treatment.
- The creation of set-ups and the subsequent manufacture of rubber “tooth positioners” made it possible to carry out the first treatments using aligners, which came back into fashion with the creation of Invisalign.
INVISALIGN Technique Aligners
The aligners are characterized by the presence of:
- A treatment tool represented by the alignment gutters (fig. 10);
- A decision-making tool : proprietary software application that allows you to visualize the stages of treatment up to the final result by 3D modeling of dental movements. (ClinCheck, for Invisalign). (fig. 11)
INVISALIGN Technique Aligners
3. Procedure for making gutters:
- Digital acquisition of the patient’s teeth to create a 3D virtual model by a plaster model scanner, a PVS impression scanner, or directly using an intraoral scanner. (fig 12)
- The use of a software interface presenting the teeth in terminal occlusion on screen in order to create a virtual and scalable set-up of the entire therapy (fig. 13);
- The incorporation of therapeutic prescriptions which offer the orthodontist a certain user-friendliness in the conduct of treatment. (fig. 13)
- 4-The material realization of series of gutters. (fig. 14)
INVISALIGN Technique Aligners
INVISALIGN Technique Aligners
- Indications:
Aligners are mainly indicated:
- For treatment with stripping of light to medium obstructions ;
- For the correction of transverse or average anteroposterior incoordinations or the lifting of occlusal locks;
- In cases requiring maximum plaque control (at-risk periodontal conditions, high caries risk, etc.).
- Contraindications:
- Uncooperative patients are therefore its major contraindication.
- Translation movements after extractions, significant rotation or version movements and egression movements are quite difficult to achieve and control and may require the use of auxiliaries (elastic bands to be attached between the splint and the tooth to be egressed, multi-ring sectional on perforated splints, etc.)
- Benefits :
- Aesthetics and comfort.
It is, in fact, a particularly aesthetic technique because the gutters are practically invisible.
In addition, they do not cause any discomfort or injury and do not disrupt speech.
- Removing the trays while brushing helps maintain perfect dental hygiene during the treatment.
- Boundaries :
- The limits of this technique are above all those of the practitioner. There is no movement that is impossible to perform, but these can sometimes require great mastery of the technique and are then more difficult and take longer to perform than with the multi-ring technique.
- Effectiveness depends, as with any removable technique, on the patient’s cooperation in wearing the aligners correctly.
- The cost of this technique represents a limitation for many patients.
INVISALIGN Technique Aligners
8. Conclusion
Patient demand for non-visible aesthetic appliances is constantly increasing. Two types of orthodontics allow to obtain a suitable acceptability rate among patients. The lingual technique has evolved constantly by offering pre-fabricated brackets or custom-made brackets. The technical possibilities and the results have been improved over time. Thermoplastic aligners are an alternative to lingual devices and are booming.
They have in common a possibility of progression which is directly linked to the progress of technologies, particularly digital technologies, which are permanently incorporated into their manufacture.
Therefore, while we can only welcome the innovations and mastery of the IT tool made available to us, it is important to keep in mind that they are only there to help us in our treatment and that our clinical sense remains essential.