An orthodontic aligner, which is a removable appliance made of translucent plastic, covers teeth and applies force to move them. Aligners are custom made and produced serially in various numbers according to the amount of tooth movement needed. Aligners are one of the orthodontic treatment methods used to treat tooth crowding in dentistry. The aim of aligner treatment is to straighten  teeth without braces. Tooth colored composite blocks in various shapes are bonded to some tooth surfaces for affective movement. They are called attachments or engagers.

Aligners provide patients with many more advantages compared to treatment with braces. Brackets and wires are not used in aligner treatment. For this reason, it is known as wireless orthodontic treatment method. With the development of technology, a great deal of progress has been made in orthodontic treatment and aligner treatment is one of those innovations brought by digital dentistry. Aligner treatment aims to provide patients with properly aligned, healthy teeth. However, not all patients might be suitable for custom aligner treatment. Orthodontist can make this decision after examining the patient.

Aligner treatment is much more comfortable than conventional braces treatment. One of the advantages of custom aligner treatment is the use of clear material. Transparent plaques cannot be noticed in mouth unless they are carefully looked at. Another advantage of custom aligner treatment is that transparent aligners can be inserted and removed by patients, for example while meals. Patients don’t have to change their diet as they do in braces treatment.

Teeth and plaques can be cleaned more easily after each meal. Providing oral hygiene in custom aligner treatment is much more practical than conventional braces treatment. By the help of digital dentistry methods,  treatments can be completed more easily and in a much shorter time compared to conventional braces treatment. Firstly, the patient's intraoral  impressions are taken by using a digital scanning system. Intraoral and extra oral photographs and digital dental modals of the patient are transferred to aligner planning software in 3D. The orthodontist can plan the treatment in digital environment throughout the whole process.

The planning of the treatment process and the draft model are shown to the patient. Having received the approval of the patient,  transparent plaques are started to be produced. Thanks to this system, the patient can see the whole process and its result before starting the treatment. Thus, the system gives the patient the opportunity to express what they want much more clearly.

Transparent plaques used in custom aligner treatment usually do not cause high level pain. Minor tingling may be felt as the teeth start to move only when they are first inserted. This is quite normal and does not last more than a few days.

It is very important for the patient to be disciplined in custom aligner treatment. Although a custom aligner is a good method for the treatment of crowding, its success depends on the patient as well as the dentist. Since transparent aligners can be inserted and removed, it is of great importance for the patient to use them regularly and to follow the instructions of the orthodontist. Clear aligners must be attached for a minimum of 22 hours. It should only be removed while eating and cleaning the teeth.

Arbitrary insertion and removal of transparent aligners causes a prolongation of the treatment. You can get successful results from aligner treatment by following your virtual controls regularly and keeping your clear aligners attached for the time recommended by your orthodontist. With the aligners, you experience a comfortable orthodontic treatment process and  have healthy and straight teeth.