Everything You Need To Know About Impress Clear Aligners

When we talk about types of orthodontics, we are used to the first image that comes to mind being the traditional metal brackets. However, there are other corrective modalities that many people overlook, which are much more advanced and just as effective as traditional orthodontics, such as Impress clear aligners.

Nowadays, no one is obliged to wear fixed orthodontics that is uncomfortable or that they do not feel aesthetically comfortable with. Orthodontic treatments have evolved a lot in recent years, creating orthodontic devices that are safe, efficient and almost imperceptible to others.

There are different types of invisible orthodontics. Among them are Smile2Impress clear aligners, which are orthodontic splints that, unlike traditional systems, are almost imperceptible, comfortable and do not require the cementing used in brackets or wires. With this methodology, patients receive all the aligners at the beginning of the treatment and have to change them every 1 or 2 weeks. Clear aligners removable, transparent and custom-made for each patient. They are very easy to use. To put them in place, they must be adjusted on the teeth by applying a little pressure with the fingers to adapt them correctly. These splints make the teeth make small, light and gradual movements without causing any unbearable pain until they are placed in the desired position.

Depending on the characteristics of each patient, the change of aligners for a new set is carried out approximately every two weeks, as mentioned above, until the treatment is completed. In this way, the teeth are continuously moving in the desired direction.

Clear aligners treatment consists of three stages:

1. The first stage is the pre-treatment stage in which an x-ray of the patient’s mouth will be taken to ensure that they have the optimum conditions to begin treatment. It is important to know that orthodontic treatment cannot be started with caries, gingivitis, etc. A 3D SCAN is also used to get a total view of the patient’s teeth and a video simulation of what the patient’s smile will look like at the end of the treatment will be designed. This way you will be able to see the results you will obtain before undergoing treatment.
2. During the treatment it is very important to follow the orthodontist’s instructions and recommendations for the treatment to be 100% effective. At this stage, the aligners will be sent, the patient will be monitored with a dental app and, in some cases, the patient will have to make visits to the clinic.
3. In the last stage, post-treatment, it is essential that the patient continues to take care of their teeth. They will need to wear night-time retainers to keep their teeth well aligned and they must maintain good oral hygiene.

It is true that no type of orthodontics is better than another, they simply have different characteristics and depend on the needs of each client. But the Impress clear aligners that have recently entered the market have certain advantages that differentiate them from other types of orthodontics, for example:

• The material of the aligners: the aligners are made of thin plastic and are cut to the level of the gums, adjusting perfectly to the mouth of each patient, they do not have metal threads or hard parts that can damage cheeks and gums as traditional orthodontic appliances use metal materials that can irritate the mouth.
• They are less painful: as they do not have brackets or wires, they do not cause wounds or sores inside the mouth or on the gums. If at any time the patient feels that the aligners are too sharp and cause discomfort and damage the gums, it is enough to go to the clinic to have them filed down.
• It is removable: the patient can remove the splints to eat or to brush their teeth as long as they have them on for at least 22 hours a day. This makes it more comfortable.
• Hygienic: as it is a removable treatment, you are free and easy to brush your teeth without any problems or inconveniences and you can also clean the splints thoroughly.
• Speed: On average, treatment lasts approximately one year in adult patients. However, everything will depend on the state of the patient’s teeth and the work they need to be aligned and functional.
• Free first appointment at the clinic: the first visit with the orthodontist will be free of charge.
• Follow-up with your doctor: continuous monitoring by a specialist thanks to a mobile application.
• 24/7 support: the patient will be able to ask any questions at any time throughout the treatment.

Finally, it is important to get information and visit an experienced specialist before undergoing orthodontic treatment. To achieve the desired results it is necessary to follow the instructions of the expert and follow a series of recommendations such as:

• Keep the aligners in place for as long as possible every day, in order to obtain quick results. Remove them only to brush your teeth, eat or drink. A minimum of 22 hours a day is recommended. The longer the patient wears them, the better the result in your mouth.
• In addition to maintaining dental hygiene, the splints should be cleaned every time they are removed and should be cleaned with a special brush, cold or lukewarm water and neutral soap.

Retainers post-treatment

Retainers are appliances that the orthodontist places in the patient’s mouth once the brackets or clear aligners have been removed.

There are two types of retainers:

On the one hand, fixed retainers: this is a metal bar that the professional places on the inside of the teeth to prevent them from moving. It is fitted on the same day that the orthodontics are removed. It is a device that is imperceptible to others and it is possible for some people to wear this type of lingual retainer for the rest of their lives, without causing any discomfort on a daily basis. Even so, the patient will have to go through a few days of adaptation in which they may experience some discomfort.

On the other hand, there are the removable retainers by Impress: these are transparent plastic covers that the patient can remove. The dentist needs to take a sample of the patient’s oral cavity to create custom-made clear dental splints. As with fixed retainers, removable retainers are placed where the patient has had orthodontics, and can be worn in both retainers. There are two types of removable retainers:

• Hawley retainers: is one form of orthodontic retainer, which uses a combination of a hard plastic or acrylic plate connected by a thin metal wire.
• Clear retainers: is a thin, transparent plate made of plastic that looks similar to a clear aligner or mouthguard. The purpose of the retainer is to discreetly help your teeth keep their post-treatment positions.

The use of clear dental retainers is regressive, that is, at the beginning, for approximately one month, the dentist recommends their use during the whole day, except for brushing and eating. As the days go by, the patient will only have to wear them at night.

It is important to always follow the dentist’s instructions to wear the retainers correctly, as the timing varies from person to person. Normally, check-ups are carried out every 6 months or yearly.