What are some of the common orthodontic conditions that minimally invasive clear aligners can improve?
Dental Arch Collapse
The team at Smile Elements Orthodontics is committed to providing the best orthodontic experience to our patients. Over the last two years, our patients of all ages (primary, mixed and permanent dentition) have benefitted from our proprietary minimally-invasive clear aligner treatments which do not incorporate any bonded attachments and eliminate IPR (interproximal enamel reduction) almost entirely. This results in the preservation of enamel and excellent oral health. With our minimally-invasive orthodontic biomechanics protocols, not only do patients leave with a beautiful smile but improvements in their overall oral health and well-being.
Patients undergoing minimally invasive treatment with us report several other improvements; these are expressed in terms of improvement in their airway, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function, facial esthetics through growth modification, and last but not all a beautiful healthy smile.
Airway & OSA Considerations
Constricted or collapsed dental arches is a manifestation of most malocclusions, with narrow dental arches encroaching on the tongue space. Resolving malocclusion by addressing the relationship between dental arch dimensions and the tongue volume available is an essential component of our treatment philosophy.
Stable orthodontic differential arch development can restore the normal form and dimensions of dental arches. This provides the necessary space allowing the tongue to be positioned more anteriorly thereby improving the oropharyngeal airway volume. In addition, maxillary and mandibular arch development allows the mandible to assume a neutral position (often more anteriorly) improving jaw relationships, dental relationships, and further increasing to posterior airway volume.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMDs)
Malocclusion can play a significant but poorly understood role in the development of TMD. One of the main goals of orthodontic therapy is to achieve sound masticatory function. Premature contacts, CR-CO discrepancies, and deep bites are all examples of occlusal abnormalities that may contribute to TMD development. TMD usually includes symptoms related to muscle strain causing pain and discomfort. Our efficient treatment mechanics with clear aligners can bring fast and effective relief from TMD symptoms originating from occlusal problems.
Dentofacial Growth Modification
Some patients present with inharmonious growth and development of their skeletal bases. These patients are successfully managed with our minimally invasive growth modification treatment analogous to a Twin Blocks functional appliance therapy, but with Aligners. Features built into our aligners can help “re-direct” mandibular growth, in addition we incorporate orthodontic elastics into our aligner protocol to help achieve skeletal and dental changes through optimized Aligner/Elastic biomechanics.
Smile Esthetics
Our treatment helps improve patient confidence by giving them a beautiful smile. We determine the most esthetic position for each individual teeth and obtain the ideal smile arc. The smile arc is determined by the curve of the upper anterior teeth to the lower lip curvature on smiling. Furthermore, the expansion of the dental arches during treatment helps us develop a full smile with the elimination of dark buccal corridors. smile esthetics, smile arc, buccal corridors...
Multidisciplinary/Interdisciplinary Treatment
At our practice, we see patients with complex malocclusions. Patients may require prosthodontic, periodontic, or surgical care. With attachment-less aligners we can create or maintain space for dental implants, prepare patients for orthognathic surgery, and reposition teeth to aid in restoring periodontal health. We are also committed to providing interdisciplinary treatment in cases requiring periodontal or restorative work. Repositioning teeth can help restore bony architecture and aide in the correction of bone defects or horizontal bone loss and at times can also eliminate the need for gingival recontouring before the placement of restorations. We ensure to collaborate with other professionals to bring the best overall dental treatment experience to the patient.
Habits and Speech Problems
Orthodontic treatment with minimally invasive aligners can effectively correct speech difficulties Common speech difficulties related to malocclusion include lisps due to anterior open bites and distortions in common speech sounds such as those for /f/, /v/, /th/,/sh/, and /ch/.
Dentition: Missing Teeth, Extra Teeth, Impacted Teeth
Many of our patients present with previously extracted teeth, congenitally missing teeth, supernumerary teeth, and/or impacted teeth. Each of these conditions can be effectively managed with our minimally invasive aligners. In cases where there are impacted teeth such as maxillary canines, space creation to allow its eruption can be performed. In more complex scenarios, traction can be applied for the purpose of forced eruption.
Crowding | Spacing: Relationships to Tongue Space
Crowding of the dental arches is a problem that most commonly occurs due to the lack of space for the permanent dentition. This leads to teeth that may erupt in a more palatal or lingual position encroaching on tongue space. In other cases, the forces generated by the tongue musculature may cause development of spaces between the teeth. Either way, our aligners can help resolve dental crowding or consolidate spaces and develop a state of equilibrium between hard and soft tissues.
Occlusion & Bite Discrepancies: Overbite, Open Bites, Crossbites, Functional Occlusion
Our minimally invasive aligners can position teeth accurately and precisely to eliminate any occlusal discrepancies. With the ability to make predictable sub-millimeter adjustments to individual tooth positions, we can achieve excellent occlusal characteristics to provide patients with optimal functional occlusion.
Our team at Smile Elements is determined to provide impeccable dental care with minimum levels of invasive interventions. Learn more about these treatment options now.
