Are all clear removable aligners the same?

Giving Sydney Great Smiles

In this podcast, Dr Diane Tay interviews orthodontist Dr Andrew Chang on the differences between clear removable aligners compared with braces. The differences between the different clear removable aligner products are discussed as well as the “do-it-yourself” aligner solutions. Highlights are: 2:10: What types of clear aligners are on the market and what are the differences? 4:30: What are the “do it yourself” aligners and do they work? The way that these aligners work to fix crooked teeth often lead to unhealthy bites or smiles. 8:55: What are the differences between clear aligners and clear braces? Which works better? Aligners or Braces? Generally speaking, the larger the gaps or the more crowded the teeth, braces still outperform aligners. Aligners are easier to keep the teeth clean for patients who have difficulty cleaning their teeth ie: Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy or where manual dexterity with hands is more challenging. The idea of braces or aligners to fix crooked teeth should not be thought of as a zero sum, as for moderate to severe crooked teeth, combining braces and aligners provides the benefits of aligners and the predictability of braces with difficult movements. A new bathroom renovation applies the same concepts. It is the diversity of the tiles, their designs, tile sizes ie: border & main tiles, underlying waterproofing and use of grout and silicon that provides the attractiveness and functionality of the bathroom renovation. 13:20: Are all aligners the same and do they work equally well? Different aligners have different features. Certain features are important for certain movement types. They are slightly different aligner materials and have different treatment planning softwares. Our experience has been their comfort levels are similar and some aligners work better with certain types of bites. 18:45: I’m wearing aligners. What can I do to help my aligners teeth straightening process go on smoothly? Combine snacks with main meals helps to reduce the time that aligners are out of the mouth. Vary the aligner duration based upon the presence of springiness or gaps between the aligner and teeth 23:20: Simple at home exercises to do are discussed to help your aligner treatment go more smoothly If in doubt, send the practice photos of your teeth and aligners so they can advise before you change to each new aligner. Wear elastics well as advised. 26:45: Are all aligners the same?