In the 1980’s The use of clear aligners was introduced. At first the clear aligner material was used for teeth retention. As a plastic material could be mold on a cast (teeth model made of stone) then the teeth were reset on the cast and the plastic melted on the cast to replicate the aligned teeth, and a series of removable plastic appliances were fabricated to gradually move the teeth to the position adjusted on the teeth model. So, the use of the plastic material became known as an aligner. At first only slight teeth movements could be obtained since the plastic material was very rigid. With technology advances in imaging, computing and materials, the complexity of this reproduction became less time consuming and more marketable.
A venture company in 1990’s computerized the aligner processes and the marketing of removable invisible aligners increased its use as orthodontic treatment. The steps for this orthodontic treatment start by taking an impression of the patients upper and lower teeth, or taking a scan of the patients mouth. the impressions are sent to an offsite facility where it is scanned. The scan becomes a 3 D digital model, virtual tooth movements are made, based on the dentist specifications and desired outcomes for the patient, stages are created to attain ideal final tooth positions, the stages are studied and once approved by the dentist, aligners are fabricated and sent to the dental office. The orthodontic treatment time varies depending on the patients needs.
Orthodontic treatment involves changes on teeth position by applying light continuous forces, so teeth react depending on the force applied and type of appliance system used. There are fixed and other removable appliance options apart to clear aligners to move teeth. It is important to understand and appreciate that continuous forces are more efficient in moving teeth, removable clear aligners provide interrupted forces so it is very important to keep the removable appliances wear consistent for proper application of the force and best outcomes.