Invisible Aligners: Are Traditional Braces the Only Option?

A person may have lost one or more teeth a long time ago, causing the neighbouring teeth to tilt or rotate. This can lead to a lowered bite and excessive wear of the front teeth. If the person is a smoker or consumes large amounts of coffee, the teeth may also appear yellow or brown in colour.

In such cases, orthodontic treatment is first used to correct the tilted teeth. The next step involves special ceramic crowns that do not require full tooth preparation. These crowns are used to restore the bite, relieve stress on the remaining teeth, and re-establish the compromised vertical dimension (so-called table tops or onlay/overlay restorations).

Once orthodontic treatment has reopened the edentulous spaces, dental implants are placed to replace the missing teeth. For final refinement of the front teeth, teeth whitening or ceramic veneers can be used, restoring a fresh colour and achieving a natural, aesthetically pleasing shape.

However, braces are not always the only or the best solution. There are many cases where patients have previously worn fixed braces, but over time some teeth—most commonly the front teeth—have slightly rotated again or crowding has occurred.

We also frequently see patients who have irregularities such as spacing between the front teeth, rotation, or protrusion/retrusion of individual teeth, yet have no functional issues or problems with their bite. Their concern is purely the aesthetics of the front teeth (incisors and canines).

Grinding down such teeth for metal-ceramic or all-ceramic crowns may seem like the fastest solution—and until recently, it was often the only option for patients who did not want fixed braces. However, this approach is highly invasive and harmful, as tooth preparation irreversibly destroys healthy tooth structure.

Modern aesthetic dentistry now offers alternatives to traditional fixed braces, such as clear aligners (e.g. Invisalign-type systems) and the Inman Aligner. These highly precise devices are the result of advanced digital technology and are manufactured using sophisticated digital simulations and 3D-printed models, significantly enhancing the quality of orthodontic treatment.

What Are the Advantages of Invisible Aligners?

Invisible aligners offer a relatively fast treatment, usually within 3–6 months. They are comfortable to wear, without causing cheek sores or irritation commonly associated with fixed braces. As the name suggests, invisible aligners are almost completely unnoticeable in the mouth, unlike traditional braces.

Maintaining oral hygiene is much easier because clear aligners can be removed for brushing and eating. They do not damage tooth enamel in any way and are safe to use, applying gentle yet continuous forces that move the teeth into the desired position. Speaking is easy with invisible aligners, and they do not interfere with the tongue.

Another significant advantage is that invisible aligners are often more affordable than fixed braces.

So, while the advantages are numerous, how can you know whether you are a suitable candidate for invisible aligners?

An evaluation for clear aligner therapy includes an analysis of the bite and the current condition of the teeth. If the patient is a good candidate, precise dental impressions and photographs are taken. Based on these records, specialists individually design and manufacture the aligners using the latest technology (3D scanners and printers, CAD software).

Before treatment begins, the patient can see how their teeth will look at the end of therapy through a digital simulation and a 3D model—another major advantage.

During invisible aligner therapy, the patient receives a set of aligners that are worn every day, all day long (except during meals), and are typically changed every two weeks. After completing treatment, it is essential to ensure that the corrected alignment does not relapse. This is achieved using splints (thin wires or white strips bonded to the inner surfaces of the teeth) and/or retainers (thin transparent aligners worn at night).

Once the teeth are perfectly aligned, any remaining physical imperfections—such as chipped edges, shortened or worn teeth, or colour irregularities—can be easily corrected using the ABB concept: “Align” refers to aligning the teeth, “Bleach” to teeth whitening, and “Bond” to correcting shape imperfections using aesthetic composite fillings (so-called white fillings or free-hand bonding veneers), as well as composite or ceramic veneers.

Here is an ABB concept case treated with Esthetic Ortho Aligners, where the therapy was completed with composite veneers.