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Invisible teeth braces, also known as clear aligners, have completely transformed orthodontic care for adults in the UK. They provide a subtle, comfortable, and flexible alternative to metal braces — perfect for adults and professionals who want a discreet teeth-straightening solution.
In this blog, we will examine how modern clear braces systems function, examine different types of bite problems which they can effectively treat, and address their limitations.
Understanding Bite Problems
“Bite” is how your top and bottom teeth come together when your mouth is closed. A good bite will allow even chewing, balance pressure across your teeth, and promote ideal jaw function. When your teeth or your jaw is aligned inappropriately, your orthodontist refer to this as a malocclusion.
The 3 most common malocclusions among adults are:
- Open Bite: When you close your mouth, the top and bottom front teeth do not come together, and there is a visiblegap. Open bite can have an impact on a person’s speech and can make biting food difficult.
- Crossbite: When some upper teeth sit inside some lower teeth when they bite together,it means uneven wear on those teeth or increase strain on the jaw joint as a result of misalignment.
- Deep Bite: When the upper front teeth overlap the lower teeth too much, this can occasionally cause trauma to the gum tissue or abrasion of the enamel on the lower incisors.
These bite issues create problems that can impact more than aesthetics; they can direct to discomfort in the jaw, speech alterations, worn teeth, or possibly gum recession over time. In the UK, adults considering orthodontic correction can go for clear aligner treatment, which is gaining traction for restoring function and appearance.
How Clear Aligners Work
Clear aligners are custom trays that are transparent and removable. They sit over the teeth properly and push the teeth gently and consistently into better alignment. Clinics like ProAligners London create a series of aligners to make small but accurate movements of teeth using digital treatment planning and 3D scanned data.
Typically, the aligners are worn for a week at a time for one to two weeks, until the next aligner is supplied to the patient. They are worn for 20 to 22 hours each day, and should be removed only for eating and cleaning. The micro-movements add up and guide the teeth and sometimes the bite, into its proper position.
Although clear aligners can manage different orthodontic cases, their ability is limited by the complexity of the bite issue.
Can Clear Aligners Treat an Open Bite?
The answer is yes. In a lot of cases, clear aligners do effectively treat mild to moderate open bites, especially those created by the position of teeth rather than any skeletal jaw problems.
An open bite is when the front or sometimes back teeth do not contact, resulting in an open space even when the jaw is fully closed together. An open bite may be due to habits such as tongue thrusting or thumb sucking, or because of the vertical angulation of certain teeth.
Current aligner systems utilise the philosophy of digital tooth movement staging to move upward or intrude, or move downward orextrude your teeth in a slow, predictable way to close the open bite. Attachments – small bumps that are tooth-coloured –are placed on certain teeth to allow aligners exert target forces to shift the teeth in the vertical direction.
If the open bite is caused by dental causes, such as misaligned front teeth or slightly over-erupted back teeth, then clear aligners work very effectively. If the patient follows the process consistently and with the supervision of the professional, a stable and aesthetically pleasing closure will occur.
Nonetheless, aligners do have limitations when it comes to skeletal open bites, or open bites where the malocclusion is due to bone location or jaw growth rather than a dental issue. For example, if a person has a longer upper jaw vertically, or their lower jaw is positioned further back than normal, then aligners alone will fail to move the bone in the proper position. In these instances, combining orthodontics with bone surgery (orthognathic surgery) may be the only way to address the issue properly.
Essentially, clear aligners can improve dental open bites that are mild to moderate in nature, but for more severe skeletal open bites, a specialist is needed to address. GDC-registered orthodontist or dentist must perform a proper 3D assessment to establish if aligners are suitable for you.
Can Clear Aligners Fix a Crossbite?
Crossbites are a discrepancy in the dental arches where one or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. Crossbites can happen in the anterior teeth (front) teeth, or posterior (back) teeth.
In adults, mild to moderate anterior or posterior crossbites due to tooth misalignment are easily corrected with invisible braces. The clear aligners work by programming tooth movement and using precision “attachments” and elastics to gradually widen the dental arch or position teeth slightly outward to achieve proper alignment.
For instance, a mild posterior crossbite can often be corrected with aligners, depending on the anchorage and space available. The same is true for mild anterior crossbites by moving the upper teeth forwards and the lower teeth slightly backwards.
However, severe crossbites which may be associated with narrow skeletal arches or jaw asymmetries is a much more complex condition. If the upper jaw is excessively narrow in relation to the lower jaw, clear aligners simply cannot expand the bone structure enough to correct it. Skeletal crossbites typically require early orthodontic treatment or fixed appliances which could potentially apply more force in multiple directions.
In cases of adult patients, there may be options to provide or assist with craniofacial expansion through the use of aligners in combination with other measures, such as interproximal reduction (IPR) – a regulated polishing or shaving of the contact point between the teeth for creating space, or the use of mini-implants to assist with expansion. The majority of clinics within London that provide clear aligners also utilise advanced software that allows for predictive simulation of possible corrections prior to any treatment; very helpful for predicting outcomes.
Overall, clear aligners may correct tooth-based crossbites.However depending on the involvement of the jaw structures, it may require the involvement of orthodontics or surgical support for a complete resolution of the issue.
Can Clear Aligners Correct a Deep Bite?
An excessive deep bite occurs when the upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth and even cover them entirely. This creates uneven tooth wear, tiredness in the jaw joint, and irritation of the gums.
Clear aligners have many advantages and have been proven to work very well with different mild and moderate deep bite cases. Clear aligners work by gently intruding the upper front teeth and extruding the posterior (back teeth), levelling the arches; and thereby creating a more evenly aligned and functional bite with a better smile line.
Attachments are again pivotal, as when secured to certain teeth, they enhance the aligners’ ability to precisely control their vertical movement. Modernaligner systems also have the ability to use digital programming techniques to lessen the severity of excessive deep bites while preserving facial aesthetics.
Extreme deep bite problems often involves some form of skeletal discrepancy where the upper jaw is overdeveloped or the lower teeth are significantly tilted. In such situations, excessive deep bite correction with clear aligner-only therapy will be more difficult to accomplish. Randomly, traditional braces can sometimes apply greater vertical force than clear aligners. In extreme cases, surgical options may be required.
That being said, clear aligners represent a very comfortable and aesthetically pleasing method of predictable, long-lasting treatment for adult having moderate deep bites issues.
Can Invisible Braces Close Gaps?
Transparent teeth braces can effectively fix small to moderate-sized gaps between teeth. Using a series of clear, custom aligner trays helps move the teeth closer together over time -0 through the application of gentle continuous pressure. Usually each set of aligners is worn for 1 to 2 weeks and, as you switch to the next set of aligners, will decrease the spacing and improve alignment.
This type of treatment is effective when treating gaps resulting from existing tooth position rather than treating a gap caused by a missing tooth or significant jaw discrepancy. Invisible braces also provide the advantages of being removable and easier to clean them, while wearing a clear aligner tray are suitable for adult patients focused on gap closure and improved tooth alignment for a more uniform and confident smile.
What Aligners Can’t Do
Though teeth aligners have improved substantially, there are still limitations to treatment. Invisible braces work through surface contact materials with controlled directional pressure. They cannot yet reproduce the entire mechanical range of traditional braces for complex or serious tooth movements.
Clear aligners or invisible braces might not provide the most efficacious treatment in circumstances like:
- Patients with a significant skeletal discrepancy who require jaw repositioning.
- Patients who present with large rotations of teeth or bodily movement of molars.
- Patients requiring vertical changes involving significant extrusion or intrusion of multiple teeth.
- Patients who require extractions, where spacing issues and require root controlled closure of space.
In light of these considerations, patients should always have a comprehensive orthodontic assessment conducted through 3D scanned images, photographs, and X-rays before considering clear aligner therapy. An orthodontist or trained clinician would determine if invisible braces would be suitable or if a hybrid approach (a blend of aligners and limited fixed braces) would be best for you.
Role of Technology and Expertise
Although teeth aligners in UK can be an effective product for adults, the results will not only depend on the product itself but also on the skill set of the clinician. Comprehensive treatment planning at ProAligners London includes the use of advanced digital simulations for predictions of tooth movements and bite correction. Regular appointments are arranged to monitor the treatment progression, assessment of the bite relationship, and confirm movements.
Since aligners are removable, compliance is important! Patients must wear aligners at least 20 to22 hours a day to achieve the desired outcome. Non-compliance with the wear will continue to extend treatment length or impact the outcomes for bite correction.
So how long do braces take to work?
The length of time you will be in braces depends on the severity of the case. Typically, clear aligners or invisible braces requireabout 6 to 18 months on an average to straighten teeth and correct bites with aligners. It should also be noted that for mild alignment or spacing issues, you may notice results in as little as a couple of months, whilecomplex cases which involve bite correction may require longer.
Consistently wearing aligners, generally around 20 to 22 hours a day, is vital in achieving the desired results in the appropriate time frame. Regular visits with your orthodontist also ensure the treatment is moving forward safely, predictably, and that you finish with a confident straight smile at the end of treatment.
The Advantages of Invisible Braces for Adults
While there are drawbacks, clear aligners have big advantages; comfort and convenience and better oral hygiene. Of course, they can easily be removed with no apparent metal appearance – responding well for most professionals – and as an interchangeable way to fix a significant variety of alignment and bite issues with no interruption to daily life.
Adult patients in particular, who receive clear aligners report a mental ease of cleaning their aligners, less irritation, and were generally more pleased with their experience. When wearing aligners for appropriate bite cases, clear aligners can positively enhance both aesthetic as well as significant oral health outcomes.
Final Takeaways
Invisible braces can be used to treat many types of bite problems, including mild to moderate crossbites, deep bites andopen bites, very accurately and comfortably. Invisible braces are best used when the main problem is the alignment of the teeth rather than the structure and positioning of the jaw.
Where complex jaw discrepancies or significant jaw issues are present, traditional braces or a combination of braces with orthodontic approaches is likely the best approach.
If you are interested in getting invisible braces in London, a consultation with a professional at ProAligners will be able to help you determine if your bite can be corrected using clear aligners. With the ability to utilise technological advancements, meticulous planning and patient involvement, clear aligners may be one of the most rewarding and innovative forms of orthodontic treatment today.
