Clear aligners have seen a surge in popularity in the last decade. It is clear why clear aligners are so popular right now:

• Clear and transparent
• Removable
• Allow for easier brushing and flossing
• Faster than braces for some limited treatments
• Require less appointments in some cases

Aligners are great for patients who had braces when they were younger and just need a “touch up,” as well as for patients who have mild to moderate dental problems like misaligned teeth, large overbite, no jaw alignment problems, and who have gaps in their front teeth (open bite). 

Clear aligners, also called invisible aligners or invisible braces, are a type of orthodontic treatment that corrects misaligned or crooked teeth. They are virtually invisible and removable alternative to braces and designed keeping in mind the convenience and flexibility of the patient.

Aligners are not relatively new to Orthodontics. If you have seen what an aligner braces looks like, you may have observed that it seems to be made of some type of clear plastic. In fact, Vacuum-formed clear thermoplastic sheets were introduced into orthodontics in the 1980s. They were originally used as retainers. Today, these devices are known as ‘clear aligners’ or ‘teeth aligners’

Aligner trays are custom-made for every patient, depending on the severity of teeth misalignment.

Invisible aligners for teeth can be used to treat a variety of different cases, including:

• Crowded teeth — when the teeth overlap
• Overbites — when the upper front teeth overlap with the lower front teeth
• Underbites — when the lower front teeth overlap with the upper front teeth
• Diastema — when there are small or large gaps between the teeth
• Open bites — when the front upper and lower teeth slant outward and do not touch when the mouth is shut. This is a very rare type of malocclusion.
• Misaligned primary (baby) teeth — clear aligners can be used during phase I orthodontic treatment to make room for existing baby teeth and developing permanent teeth. Children between 6 and 10 years of age are candidates for this treatment.

Popular aligner brands in India include – Invisalign, SureSmile, 3M Clear Aligners, ClearCorrect, SDAlign, MaxDent Ortho, Toothsi, 32 Watts etc.

While most of these brands are In-Office Aligners, i.e., they require you to visit an Orthodontist who then plans the treatment for you and checks your progress throughout the treatment, At-home aligners like Toothsi offer completely remote treatment, so you will never visit a dentist or an orthodontist for checkups.