Clear aligners, such as Smilelign, have become a popular alternative to traditional braces for correcting dental issues.
These custom-made, removable trays gradually shift teeth into the desired position, providing a convenient solution for those looking to correct dental issues without the visibility or discomfort often associated with metal braces.
Understanding the types of dental problems that clear aligners can help you make an informed decision about your orthodontic care.
What cases can clear aligners treat?
Clear aligners are a modern, convenient solution for correcting a variety of dental issues. Whether you’re dealing with crowded teeth, gaps, or bite problems, they can gradually move teeth into their ideal positions.
Crowding
Crowding occurs when there isn’t enough space in the jaw for all of the teeth to fit normally, leading to overlapping, twisting, or misaligned teeth. This can affect both the function and aesthetics of your smile. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as genetic predispositions, early loss of baby teeth, or a discrepancy between the size of the teeth and the jaw.
Clear aligners are highly effective for treating mild to moderate cases of crowding. By applying gentle, continuous pressure, the aligners gradually move your teeth into a more aligned position. For more complex cases of crowding, additional procedures may be necessary, such as creating extra space between the teeth by extraction. Nevertheless, Smilelign has a history of achieving successful results even in more complex cases.
Spacing
Spacing involves gaps between the teeth. These gaps can result from missing teeth, teeth that are smaller than average, or natural variations in tooth alignment. Gaps can also arise when teeth shift position over time due to factors like natural wear or changes in the bone structure.
Clear aligners work well at closing gaps between teeth, by gently pushing them together. While minor residual spaces may remain in some particularly complex cases, clear aligners provide significant improvement in reducing spacing issues.
Overjet
Overjet refers to the condition where the upper front teeth protrude more than the lower front teeth. This can be caused by factors such as genetics, thumb sucking during childhood, or prolonged use of a ‘dummy’. It can also result from an imbalance in jaw growth or an abnormal bite pattern. Clear aligners are effective in addressing mild to moderate overjet issues.
Overbite
An overbite occurs when the upper teeth overlap the lower front teeth. This can be caused by inherited dental or jaw structure, or habits such as thumb sucking, as with overjet cases. It can also result from a mismatch between the sizes of the upper and lower jaws. Clear aligners are well-suited to treating overbites by guiding the teeth into better alignment and correcting the overlap.
Open Bite
An open bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth don’t come into contact when the mouth is closed, leaving a gap. They can result from habits that interfere with normal tooth development and alignment.
Clear aligners are particularly effective for addressing small open bites, by gradually closing the gap. For more significant open bites, they can still be a valuable part of a comprehensive treatment plan, helping to improve bite function.
Why choose Smilelign?
If you think you fall into one of the categories, Smilelign can help you achieve the straight smile you’re dreaming of. Smilelign has successfully treated a wide range of dental concerns, from simple alignment issues to more complex cases, with impressive results.
With plenty of Smilelign providers throughout the UK, getting started with Smilelign clear aligners couldn’t be easier!
If you’re keen to get started, find your nearest Smilelign provider who can give you a short assessment. If they think clear aligners are suitable for you, they can initiate the treatment process, guiding you every step of the way.
