Keeping things clear

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  Posted by: Dental Design      11th October 2024

Flaws in a smile can inhibit self-confidence and affect interactions with peers, so it is unsurprising that the UK orthodontic market is expected to be worth £289.4 million by 2027, fuelled by a high demand for a dream smile and technological advancements in treatments.[i]

Whilst fixed braces may be perceived as the traditional orthodontic treatment for malocclusion, clear aligners have become increasingly popular in a post-Covid ‘Instagram smile’ market.[ii] As they are discreet and removable, clear aligners promote convenience and flexibility. The global market for clear aligners was valued at USD 5.13 billion, and is expected to grow by 30% every year.[iii] They represent an effective option for mild to moderate cases of misaligned teeth, but educating orthodontic patients on the importance of cleaning them is essential for treatment success.

Better than braces…

Whereas fixed braces are often noticeable and can make patients feel self-conscious, clear aligners satisfy the desire for more discreet and comfortable orthodontic appliances – they are virtually invisible.[iv] Ideally worn for 20-22 hours a day, only eating, drinking anything except water and oral cleaning should stop patients from wearing their clear aligner.[v] Despite being removable, the potential for bacterial growth on the appliance should not be ignored.

Identifying white spot lesions can indicate the early stage of caries. Orthodontic treatment increases the incidence of white spot lesions because fixed appliances impact the oral hygiene routine, leading to poorer oral health and an increase in the retention of plaque.[vi] For clear aligners, the prevalence of white spot lesions is lower: 26% of individuals undergoing conventional orthodontic treatment showed signs of white spot lesions compared to 1.2% of individuals who used clear aligners.iv This can be attributed to shorter treatment times and the ease of maintaining a good oral hygiene routine with a removable appliance.

But brace for bacteria…

Due to being repeatedly removed throughout the day, clear aligners can cause liquids and food particles to become trapped against the teeth if the oral cavity if not sufficiently cleaned before the aligners are worn. Confined to the tooth by the appliance, these particles can increase the risk of cavities and gingival diseases.v Educating patients on the importance of a consistent oral hygiene routine, especially daily interdental cleaning, can disrupt food remnants. Encouraging a rinse with water when eating or drinking throughout the day before putting the aligners back in can also promote good oral health.

Clear aligners may attract distinct microbial communities in the oral cavity.[vii] The grooves and ridges on the aligner surface may provide an optimal environment for bacterial adherence, as well as the development of plaque biofilms that can cause caries.iv After being worn for the maximum 14 days , microcracks and abraded areas conducive to bacteria growth have also been observed.iv Some of these bacterial species, including Streptococcus and Granulicatella, have an affinity for the biomaterials used in clear aligners; these can increase the prevalence of caries.iv

Furthermore, there are other consequences to a poorly maintained clear aligner: the deterioration of the aesthetic appearance and a disagreeable odour may decrease patient compliance.[viii] This then prevents treatment success and can lead to patient dissatisfaction. It is therefore vital to maintain both oral health and the cleanliness of the clear aligner.

Get busy cleaning

Despite having less of an impact on oral health outcomes than fixed appliances, clear aligners still carry a risk of accumulating bacteria, as well as trapping food particles that demineralise the enamel and cause gingival diseases.vii Besides a regular and effective oral hygiene routine, cleaning each clear aligner is an effective solution that can lower the risk and support the orthodontic treatment.

Using the Curaprox Aligner Foam is an excellent way of cleaning both the aligner and the oral cavity. It contains hyaluronic acid to moisturise and promote healthy teeth and also features the natural bioflavonoid CITROXâ, formulated for its antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curaprox Aligner Foam revitalises and enriches teeth whilst leaving a smooth moisturising shield over them. Easily used, it can be either swished around the mouth after brushing or directly placed into aligners, retainers or mouthguards for more beneficial long-term effects. For better protection against caries and gingival diseases, recommend Curaprox Aligner Foam to your patients.

As clear aligners become increasingly sought after, educating orthodontic patients on the risks to their oral health and the cleaning measures needed to reduce them can ensure that they emerge from the treatment with the smile they have always wanted.

To arrange a Practice Educational Meeting with your Curaden Development Manager please email us on sales@curaden.co.uk

For more information, please visit www.curaprox.co.uk and www.curaden.co.uk

Author: Andrew Turner, Curaden UK Head of Marketing UK & Ireland

[i] www.fortunebusinessinsights.com. (n.d.). U.K. Orthodontics Market Size, Share, Growth & Report [2027]. [online] Available at: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/u-k-orthodontics-market-105048.

[ii] Dentists warn of permanent damage from clear braces ordered online. (2023). BBC News. [online] 20 Jan. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58038752.

[iii] www.grandviewresearch.com. (n.d.). Global Clear Aligners Market Size & Share Report, 2020-2027. [online] Available at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/clear-aligners-market.

[iv] Rouzi, M., Zhang, X., Jiang, Q., Long, H., Lai, W. and Li, X. (2023). Impact of Clear Aligners on Oral Health and Oral Microbiome During Orthodontic Treatment. International Dental Journal. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.identj.2023.03.012.

[v] Leber, C. (2024). Clear Aligner Therapy: The Discreet Way to Straighten Teeth. [online] American Association of Orthodontists. Available at: https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/clear-aligner-therapy/.

[vi] Dental, P.H. (2024). The Impact of Clear Aligners on Oral Health. [online] Pure Holistic Dental. Available at: https://www.pureholisticdentist.com/the-impact-of-clear-aligners-on-oral-health/ [Accessed 9 Jul. 2024].

[vii] Shokeen, B., Viloria, E., Duong, E., Rizvi, M., Murillo, G., Mullen, J., Shi, B., Dinis, M., Li, H., Tran, N.C., Lux, R. and Wu, T. (2022). The impact of fixed orthodontic appliances and clear aligners on the oral microbiome and the association with clinical parameters: A longitudinal comparative study. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 161(5), pp.e475–e485. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2021.10.015.

[viii] Charavet, C., Gourdain, Z., Graveline, L. and Lupi, L. (2022). Cleaning and Disinfection Protocols for Clear Orthodontic Aligners: A Systematic Review. Healthcare, 10(2), p.340. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10020340.

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