Orthodontic
Aligners

Side Effects of Traditional Braces

We have found that aligners are a superior alternative to traditional braces. While braces may be the more familiar treatment, they can leave behind a number of side effects, including:

• Restriction of the oral cavity: Traditional braces consist of metal brackets bonded to the teeth and connected by wires. These components can create a physical barrier within the oral cavity, potentially restricting the natural movement of the tongue and affecting overall tongue posture. And even after these components are removed, the general approach of braces — pushing the teeth inward until they look straight — leaves less room for the tongue, which means it is more likely to present an obstruction to healthy breathing and can contribute to sleep apnea.
• Obstruction of nasal breathing: Nasal breathing is important for optimal airway health, as it facilitates proper oxygenation and helps maintain nasal patency (or openness). The use of traditional braces can impede this in some individuals: the increased pressure generated by traditional braces can create increased nasal resistance due to the pressure exerted by the braces on the teeth and surrounding oral structures.
• Oral hygiene challenges: As anyone who has had braces knows, keeping your teeth clean can be an immense challenge. The presence of brackets and wires can create areas where food particles and plaque can accumulate, increasing the risk of oral health issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. Poor oral hygiene can indirectly impact airway health by contributing to inflammation and narrowing of the airway due to swollen oral tissues.
• Potential speech changes: Some individuals may experience temporary speech changes, such as a slight lisp or difficulty articulating certain sounds, when first getting traditional braces. These speech changes can affect airflow and resonance within the oral cavity, potentially impacting airway dynamics.
• TMJ issues: Traditional braces can sometimes contribute to temporomandibular joint issues such as jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and restricted jaw movement, which may affect oral function and potentially influence airway dynamics.

Speech Issues and Orthodontics

Regardless of the form of orthodontic treatment you select, you're probably going to face some sort of speech or laryngeal challenges early on in the treatment process. These issues tend to be fairly minor and temporary, but they are fairly common during the initial adjustment period.

One of the most expected challenges is the impact on speech, at least initially. This generally presents as a slight lisp, or difficulty pronouncing certain words. The presence of orthodontic aligners or implants can alter the air flow in the mouth and tongue movements in speech production. Many patients learn to overcome this early by adjusting and adapting to the presence of orthodontic appliances in the mouth.

Another common issue is excess saliva production. When foreign objects are in the mouth, the body increases saliva flow as a natural response, which can in turn affect speech clarity. However, as the body adjusts to the appliances, this excess saliva flow generally tapers off.

Swallowing patterns can also be impacted early on in the treatment process. Some patients find that they need to modify their swallowing technique to avoid interfering with their speech patterns in response to the sudden introduction of orthodontic appliances. In addition, the excess saliva production means that patients need to swallow with greater frequency. However, patients generally find that, with minimal adjustments, swallowing is very doable and speech interference is minimal.

Many patients also find that their vocal projection is affected. Neither braces nor aligners directly impact laryngeal function, which is the coordination and movement of the larynx (voice box). However, the presence of orthodontic appliances directly impacts oral anatomy and airflow patterns, which in turn can indirectly impact vocal quality and resonance. Patients may detect differences in their voice and vocal projection during the initial stages of orthodontic treatment.

Many patients discover that these challenges are more easily managed with aligners than with braces. One reason is that aligners are removable, so being able to take them out briefly for things like important presentations or social events helps to minimize issues like excess saliva production or speech changes. Another is that aligners have a smooth surface, leading to improved comfort during speech and swallowing. The protrusions and sharp edges of braces tend to make these sorts of actions more difficult.

Most of all, aligners tend to have much less impact on oral anatomy than braces. Aligners fit over teeth much more tightly and take up a lot less space, which tends to result in fewer challenges with swallowing and speech than braces, especially during the initial adjustment period.

Dental Aligners and Gradual Shifting of Teeth

Everyone's teeth gradually shift over time. The practice of orthodontics uses this to its advantage by gradually moving teeth to their optimal position. Nuvola dental aligners are the best choice for correcting a range of issues around tooth misalignment. By using custom-made aligners, we can gradually move your teeth into the best position over time, fixing a range of issues caused by poor tooth alignment.

More generally, aligners bring a range of advantages for improving your dental health. For one, properly aligned teeth are at a reduced risk of tooth decay. Crowded or misaligned teeth are harder to brush and floss, leading to plaque buildup and increased likelihood of cavities. By properly straightening your teeth with aligners, you will be better able to practice proper oral hygiene and decrease the risk of tooth decay.

Aligners can also tend to contribute to better gum health as well. Misaligned teeth can create pockets between the teeth and gums where bacteria can accumulate, resulting in gum inflammation and periodontal disease. But when your teeth are properly aligned, those pockets are less likely to exist. Straighter teeth are also less likely to cause gum irritation, which in turn reduces the risk of gum recession and related issues.

Aligners can also be a great help to prevent tooth wear. Malocclusions such as overbites or crossbites can lead to uneven tooth wear over time by uneven distribution of biting force. By bringing the teeth into proper alignment, these conditions can be corrected, reducing the risk of premature tooth wear and enamel damage.

Tips & Tricks for Mealtimes

Do:

• Before you start eating, remove your aligners and keep them secure. Eating while leaving your aligners in can damage them and can lead to food particles getting trapped, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Store them in their case to keep them safe and clean.
• Practice good oral hygiene. Before putting your aligners in after eating, brush and floss thoroughly. Keeping your teeth clean can help prevent dental issues and ensures that the aligners continue to fit properly.
• Listen to your orthodontist. Follow your orthodontist's recommendations regarding wear time, cleaning and care of your aligners. This makes sure that your treatment progresses as planned and minimizes the risk of complications during treatment.

Don't:

• Drink anything other than water or use any kind of tobacco products with your aligners in. Consuming colored, sugary, alcoholic or hot beverages can stain or damage the aligners and compromise their effectiveness. And smoking or using tobacco products while wearing aligners can leave them stained or discolored, not to mention increase your risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay.
• Use hot water to clean your aligners. Hot water can deform the plastic of your aligner. Use lukewarm water and a gentle toothbrush or designated cleaning solution recommended by your orthodontist.
• Chew gum or chewy foods. Chewing gum or sticky foods while wearing your aligners can damage them and affect their fit. Avoid these foods completely, or at least remove your aligners before consuming them.

Aligners for Children & Teenagers

Are there age considerations related to using aligners? Generally speaking, orthodontic aligners are frequently used by adults and teenagers seeking a more discreet and comfortable alternative to braces. While clear aligners aren't generally recommended for children aged 12 and younger, they may be suitable for older children depending on their individual orthodontic needs and treatment goals.

If you're a parent considering clear aligners for your children, here are a few matters to take into consideration:

• Maturity for compliance: Aligners need to be worn for 20-22 hours per day, so you need to be honest when determining if your son or daughter may be tempted to remove the aligners, which can lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes.
• Responsibility for care: Clear aligners require proper care, including cleaning them regularly and storing them when they're not in use. Improper care of the aligners, such as inadequate cleaning, can result in oral hygiene issues, damage to the aligners themselves, and potentially unsuccessful treatment outcomes.
• Monitoring progress: Any parent considering orthodontic aligners should be concerned about their ability to monitor their child's orthodontic treatment progress with aligners, particularly if the treatment involves complex movements or requires adjustments over time. Regular check-up appointments with the orthodontist are essential to ensure that treatment is proceeding as planned.
• Affordability: Orthodontic treatment, including aligners, can be expensive, and parents may have concerns about the financial implications of investing in aligners for their child. It's essential to consider the long-term benefits of orthodontic treatment for oral health and overall well-being when weighing the cost of treatment.

Seasonal Aligner Care Tips

Certain times of the year present specific challenges when it comes to aligner care:

• Spring: You may experience seasonal allergies. Make sure you manage any issues related to nasal congestion. Nasal breathing can impact the fit and comfort of your aligners.
• Summer: Make sure you don't leave your aligners in direct sunlight or hot environments, such as the center console of your car, where excessive heat can cause your aligners to warp and deform. You're also more likely to experience dry mouth during the summer, so make sure you're drinking plenty of water.
• Fall: You're more likely to consume beverages that can stain your aligners, such as red wine and pumpkin spice treats.
• Winter: You're probably going to be eating treats and sugary foods that can contribute to tooth decay. Make sure you moderate your consumption and be extra diligent with your oral hygiene at this time of year. (It's probably not a bad idea to rinse your mouth, or even brush your teeth, after indulging.)

How Popular Are Orthodontic Aligners?

Already more popular than braces, orthodontic aligners have seen a sustained rise in popularity, and are forecast to continue to see widespread adoption in the coming years. According to Grand View Research, by 2022 clear aligners had grown to 84% of the overall orthodontics market. And Fortune Business Insights reports that the U.S. market for aligners had hit $3.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to more than $17 billion by 2030.

Once you compare braces and aligners, it's easy to see why aligners have surged in popularity. They're much more comfortable, much more aesthetically pleasing, and can achieve the desired results much faster than braces.

Aligners and Active Lifestyles

Patients in need of orthodontic solutions may want to know their options if they're involved in contact sports like football or lacrosse. In addition, what if a patient is involved in combat sports like mixed martial arts?

This is where aligners are the obvious choice over braces. Sports overall are vastly easier to play with aligners than with braces. If you're playing rugby or soccer and take a hard shot to the face, the results could be disastrous if you have braces, since all that metal could cause serious lacerations to the inside of your mouth. But if you use aligners, simply remove them before practice or a match and wear a conventional Oral Appliance to protect your teeth from damage.