Clear aligners: we tested it! – GOOD SHAPE

Even those who have used fixed braces can suffer from tooth displacement over time. As we age, it is common for teeth to become misaligned. But now there is an alternative for those who do not want to put (sometimes again) the “braces” of the fixed appliance: the aligners, which help to align the smile in a few months.

For a month I haven’t parted with the transparent box with the SouSmile logo stamped on it. It is in this packaging that I keep the brand’s transparent dental aligners. They replace the fixed appliance for cases of simple to moderate smile correction complexity.

When I was a teenager I had orthodontic treatment for years. There were painful monthly trips to the orthodontist, hours waiting for the results of the panoramic x-ray exam and the impression of a plaster-like material. Anyone who has used braces knows what I’m saying. I used a fixed, then mobile and a dental retainer for years. This is all to fight against the natural tendency of the teeth to return to the dysfunctional position before the treatment. The containment can be fixed or mobile, but the one I used was a metallic wire fixed to the lower dental arch.

One day, I went to see a dentist that I visited for the annual check-up, he said that the retainer was silly and he removed it. Spoiler: it’s not nonsense. My teeth, even after years of treatment, have come out of perfect alignment.

The expert’s erroneous assessment overlooked the fact that it’s not just the skin or hair that suffers the effect of time. The teeth too. Mine, without the containment, had a great chance of moving and that’s what happened. Nothing drastic. It is true that the upper arch disguised the two or three teeth that were crooked, but that bothered my smile. I remember talking to an orthodontist years ago, who offered me the solution of wearing braces again. I obviously dismissed the idea of ​​reliving such a nightmare.

Until I got to know SouSmile’s approach, a startup that aims to democratize access to clear aligner technology and transform visits to the dentist.

Here it is worth mentioning that the treatment value is fixed, without additional maintenance or charges for each consultation. And the amount can also be paid in automatic debit from the current account, without compromising the credit card limit.

Unlike the fixed ones, the aligners can be removed to eat, facilitating hygiene. (./Disclosure)

THE STEP BY STEP

In addition to the aligner itself being completely different from a mobile device, the whole treatment approach starts out different.

First, a virtual pre-assessment is done. This step is essential for the specialist to identify the problem and the degree of difficulty of treatment.

The most basic clear aligners are made of a type of plastic and are used for cases that are aesthetically uncomfortable, such as spacing, or when there are mild to moderate functional problems, such as an overbite in which the upper teeth completely cover the lower teeth. This SouSmile treatment lasts between three and nine months, no more than that.

If your case is a little more severe, there are Smart and Plus treatment plans, which will treat more severe cases of crowding and spacing and make corrections such as crossbite, deep bite and open bite. For these new modalities, plans last up to 18 months.

“APPROVED!”

If the case is approved, the next step is a face-to-face consultation to confirm the diagnosis. And for that, a 3D scan and x-ray is done, which thanks to current technology takes just a few minutes.

The idea of ​​transforming the visit to the dentist, which is often traumatic, is successfully implemented.

When I was at the Ipanema unit, in the south of Rio de Janeiro, I was impressed with the design of the environment: modern, beautiful and welcoming. Completely the opposite of that white, cold room, and the 90s soundtrack playing on the radio in the teenage dentist’s room.

The 3D scan replaces the plaster cast, which required biting into that pasty mass and waiting hours for it to dry. If something went wrong in the process, it would have to be done all over again.

But in seconds, I see my dental arch in 3D on the device’s screen, and in color! In my case, I had to do a cleaning before having a definitive mold, because the aligner needs to fit completely to the teeth. Not a millimeter can be left.

The digital images go to the digital planning center, where the SouSmile team of orthodontists programs the movements of each tooth and makes the treatment more predictable.

Between analysis, planning and production of the aligners, it took about 15 days. After this stage, it is time for a new face-to-face consultation to finally begin the treatment.

UMBOXING

Through a graphic forecast on the computer, you can see how your smile will look week by week (./Disclosure)

On the scheduled day, the specialist shows me an animation on a tablet of how my teeth will move at each stage, until I reach the expected result. The forecast is six months for the end of treatment.

Unlike fixed braces, clear aligners apply just the right force and wrap around your teeth completely. And each phase is marked by an aligner, as each one will move the teeth into a new position.

In order for them to move as expected, it may eventually be necessary to open space between the teeth. It was my case. The orthodontist filed two upper teeth in seconds without any pain. And for the perfect fit of the aligner, you may need to apply a transparent resin ball to some tooth. It’s noticeable, we only feel it when passing the tongue.

For this stage of treatment, I receive a box with everything I will need to start the journey. It is a real “unboxing”. I get six aligners, numbered and marked with the dates I’ll need to replace one with the other, every two weeks. This can vary and extend if I don’t wear it for the recommended time (22 hours a day) or delay changing the aligners (it could happen to lose the aligner, for example). The orthodontist explains how to insert and remove the aligner without the risk of breaking it and teaches me how to bite the “gumi”, a cylindrical rubber that helps it fit completely.

I confess that in the first two weeks, it was difficult for me to adapt. In the first few days I felt pain and discomfort from spending hours with the aligner. You have to control your tongue so you don’t rub the device all the time and avoid injuries (which I did the other way around and got hurt). I went out for lunch, took off the aligner, and only remembered to use it again hours later… You have to clean the device and you cannot, under any circumstances, drink tea or coffee while wearing them. The material is, after all, plastic and can be damaged in contact with hot liquid. Did I almost do it? Yes. But I remembered in time.

Now, already on the second aligner, I’m more used to the new routine and looking forward to the next appointment that will be in and we’ll already see some results.