With the advances in technology in orthodontics - area of dentistry that deals with the position of the teeth and jaw bones - the possibility of using a invisible device has become a reality.

Also called transparent aligner or invisible aligner, the model became popular for being a more discreet and comfortable option than the fixed appliances made with metal brackets and wires.

But, after all, can anyone who needs to align their teeth use this option? Find out more below!

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What is it and how does the invisible appliance work?

More discreet and comfortable than the old fixed models, the invisible aligner is a mobile device It is made of transparent thermoplastic material.

According to dentist Liana Lima Pinheiro, it is a new treatment option, which can be used alone or with fixed accessories, elastics, among others.

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"The aligner attends to the most complex malocclusions, i.e., the abnormal alignments of the upper and lower teeth, which lead to non-correct mouth closure, and with that, to problems in the bite," she points out.

The treatment, then, is done with the help of virtual programming, in which the dentist creates the desired movements and then makes a sequence of transparent plates, each containing a step along the way to correct the position of the teeth.

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So, can anyone use it?

As much as it is a more practical method than fixed braces, not everyone can opt to use the invisible aligner.

According to the dentist, this appliance is indicated mainly for those who already have permanent teeth. Therefore, the treatment should not be done in children, since the plates can "stop" the growth of the teeth.

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"Wearing invisible braces on growing patients can hinder the correct development of the bone bases and create functional deleterious habits in patients. This, in turn, changes the normal growth pattern of the teeth and impairs the contact of the upper teeth with the lower teeth," she explains.

Furthermore, it is important to say that patients who undergo treatment with the invisible aligner need to maintain frequent follow-up visits to their dentist. This also applies to those who have all the plates ready.

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Contraindications

According to the dentist, there are no contraindications for the use of this method, except in infant patients.

"What could be a problem, just, is the fact that the treatment is totally dependent on the patient's cooperation; however, the comfort of the method ends up diminishing indiscipline."

Source: Liana Lima Pinheiro, orthodontist and president of the Brazilian Academy of Dentistry.

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