From the University Agenda

An advantageous alternative to braces: Transparent aligners

Orthodontist Asst. Prof. Dr. Merve Kurt Bıyıklıoğlu explained the questions about transparent aligners, which are frequently preferred by those who want to have aligned teeth and a healthy smile but are hesitant to use braces, and emphasized that transparent aligners are also suitable for children's use.

Specialist Dentist Asst. Prof. Dr. Merve Kurt Bıyıklıoğlu from Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) Dental Hospital stated that transparent plate treatment is a process that aims to gradually correct the teeth by using transparent aligners that are individually planned and removable.  

It should be used for an average of 22 hours a day!

Bıyıklıoğlu underlined that transparent aligners have a structure so thin that almost no one will notice them and added: “They straighten the teeth by applying force through the filling protrusions called attachments, which are added to the tooth surface. In order for the teeth to move, the applied force must be continuous. Hence, orthodontic aligners need to be used for an average of 22 hours a day, except for feeding time and removing them while brushing teeth. When transparent aligners are first put on, a pressure may be felt, but it is possible to get used to it after a short time."

 “Suitable for both children and adults”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Bıyıklıoğlu stated that transparent aligners can be used in both children and adults if the dental support tissues are healthy. “It is applied for treatment goals such as tooth crowding, closing gaps between teeth, smile aesthetic planning, and pre-prosthetic preparations. In order to prevent the teeth from returning to their previous state after the treatment, the teeth are fixed with a thin wire from the back, as is done after braces treatment, this is not visible from the outside."

“Orthodontist guidance is very significant”

Explaining that the process of transparent plate treatments begins with the orthodontist taking oral measurements, Asst. Prof. Dr. Bıyıklıoğlu said, “At this stage, traditional measurement methods can be used, as well as intraoral scanners. The measurement taken is transferred to the computer environment and the teeth are moved with a computer simulation and transparent aligners are prepared. Production is done according to the position where the teeth are desired to move. After the measurements are taken, it may take up to 4 weeks for the aligners to be delivered to the patient, depending on the system used. In transparent aligner treatment, each plate is worn for an average of 7-10 days. As the treatment continues, other necessary plates are applied with the guidance of the orthodontist."

Useful for oral hygiene

Bıyıklıoğlu stated that patients can clean their teeth and plaques by removing their plaques as in daily dental cleaning, and said, “Aligners can be brushed in a way that is not harsh. Therefore, it does not pose a problem in terms of the patient's oral hygiene. The fact that patients have received a previous treatment (orthodontics, filling, root canal treatment, crown coating etc.) does not constitute an obstacle to clear aligner treatment. Clear aligner treatments require more patient cooperation compared to traditional treatments.”

The advantages of transparent aligners are countless: The result of the treatment is visible in advance,  no restriction on eating or drinking

Asst. Prof. Dr. Merve Kurt Bıyıklıoğlu listed the advantages of using transparent aligners, which patients frequently wonder about, as follows:
• Thanks to the digitally created treatment simulation, the patient can see the treatment result in three dimensions before the treatment begins.
• Since it can be removed while eating, it does not require eating and drinking restrictions.
• Being removable while brushing your teeth makes brushing easier compared to bracet treatment.
• Aligners do not prevent activities such as sports and swimming.
• After the period of getting used to the presence of the aligners, it does not cause any problems in speaking.

“Remote treatment monitoring is possible”

During the control process of transparent aligners, patients are generally called for routine checks every 4 - 6 weeks. Depending on the treatment process, there may be times when this interval is kept longer or shorter. Asst. Prof. Dr. Bıyıkoğlu stated the following: “During the check-ups, there are procedures such as checking the compatibility of the transparent aligners in the mouth, comparing the position of the teeth with the positions in the previously planned simulation, and informing the patient about the general progress. Additionally, remote treatment monitoring can be provided for out-of-town/abroad patients.”