Clear aligners, around since the 1970s, can now be generated from 3-D scans electronically sent to a manufacturer along with X-rays, photos and a detailed prescription from the orthodontist directing how to address misaligned teeth, known as malocclusions. The patient gets a series of sequential, snug-fitting, clear plastic aligner trays, which usually can move the teeth into the desired position in six to 18 months depending on the complexity of the case.
Aligners initially were marketed as braces for adults, but as the products improved, manufacturers saw an opportunity to sell them to an appearance-conscious younger market. Invisalign Teen was introduced in 2017.
“I think it started out by orthodontists who used aligners aggressively in their practice of adults, and started experimenting with teens,” Dr. Larson said.
Consumer demand is a big factor driving the trend, energized by a culture of social media in which teens increasingly feel they are defined by how others perceive their physical appearance. Direct-to-consumer advertising and technology allowing for customization also play a part.
According to Dr. Larson, there are not many well-designed clinical trials showing the effectiveness of aligners for adults, and even fewer for teens, but there is a lot of clinical evidence and experience showing that for certain types of dental problems, aligners can be very effective.
When clear aligners first arrived on the scene, the technology was inefficient and orthodontists were skeptical. “Now, after years of thinking they were an inferior appliance in all cases, we see them being equivalent in many cases and superior in some cases,” said Dr. Alexander Waldman, an orthodontist in private practice in Los Angeles.
The advantages of clear aligners include invisibility, removability and less pain. “There’s no teenager who wants braces. It’s awkward to wear them. The little kids sometimes don’t mind as much but if I have a 14-year-old girl in my chair, it better be a clear aligner case,” said Dr. Elliott Moskowitz, a clinical professor in orthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry who is also in private practice in New York City.
Source : Nytimes
