Invisalign fever and Spark aligners: why do we look for a perfect smile in adulthood?

• MIND The magic of smiling

• PSYCHO Sincere smile there is only one

With the popularization of social networks, which show incredible before and after cases, more and more people are encouraged to correct their teeth.

"I have no doubt, in less than 10 years, traditional orthodontics will disappear."

expert orthodontist

and pioneer in Spark invisible aligners, speaks.

Although he likes to call himself the architect of pretty smiles.

"It's an art, a lot of sensitivity is needed for harmony, for

and even the soft tissues that surround the mouth, and that is not learned at the University".

The actress

to name Malagón.

Since then, he has been known as the famous orthodontist.

"But the reality is that I treat a lot more anonymous people," he points out.

For privacy, he prefers to remain discreet.

Although he has plenty of data, since he is also a prestigious speaker.

"

in terms of the use of transparent aligners, only behind the United States and China."

Taking into account the comparison between the three countries mentioned in terms of size and population, the doctor indicates that we are

Why do we care so much about having a perfect smile?

Is it a matter of aesthetics, health or both?

The main motivation is summed up in

believes Dr. Eugenia Cervantes.

"Aligned teeth allow us to have

, wear and tear and pain in the joint."

MORE AESTHETICS AND COMFORT

The average duration of an invisible orthodontic treatment is 18 months. Shutterstock

Estefanía Nieto has been using

"It's comfortable and, when dealing with people, you hardly notice that you're wearing it. When you eat, you take it off and in the photos you look perfect," she says.

This patient in her thirties tries to make amends for her mistakes as a child.

"I didn't want to wear it back then for aesthetics, you know, the hang-ups of teenagers, but when invisible braces came along I said, 'Go for it.'"

The aligner market still

performed, especially due to the upward price difference compared to the traditional one.

However, there is a real boom after 30, as is the case of Estefanía.

"It has no competition. Today everyone wants to be treated with transparent aligners for comfort and aesthetics," confirms the doctor.

WHY INVISALIGN OR SPARK?

The discipline of the patient is essential: they must wear the aligners 22 hours a day.Shutterstock

The problem is, Malagón believes, that in most cases it is the dentists or orthodontists themselves who do not recommend it: "If they are not well trained or

, they advise against these much more modern techniques. and effective."

In fact, he himself was treated with invisible orthodontics and, for this reason, he wanted to specialize in it.

"I would not have used any traditional orthodontic appliance, since it

. I verified the efficiency of transparent aligners in the hands of the right professional."

Invisalign and Spark are two of the most popular brands of clear aligners.

The fundamental difference, says the doctor, is that, being both equally effective, Spark is even more aesthetic.

"There are numerous published studies that indicate that they are very similar in terms of results, but

, so tooth movement can be made more efficient. The plastic is stronger and less porous, so it stains less than traditional aligners.

ADVANTAGES REGARDING 'BRACKETS'

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How does an invisible orthodontic treatment differ from the traditional one?

• "The

  brackets

  are adhered to the surface of the tooth enamel and, for this, you have to

  use acids that demineralize the tooth

  ", points out as against Dr. Malagón.

• In addition, if the average treatment time is about 12 months, he explains, you have to have these

  brackets

  glued to your teeth : "

  It makes hygiene very difficult

  and there is a higher risk of caries."

• On the other hand, the orthodontist points out, braces are usually the

  cause of

  mucosal wounds, chafing... and we avoid that by using transparent aligners.

• The forces that are used to move the teeth with aligners are much more controlled, since they are calculated digitally with a computer.

  "And that improves the health of the gums and

  greatly prolongs the stability of the results

  once the treatment is finished."

• A clear aligner less than 0.5mm thick (half a millimeter) is like a contact lens.

  "If the dentist knows how to use the technique well and the patient is cooperative, basically wearing the

  aligners 22 hours a day and brushing their teeth after every meal

  , the aligners will remain perfectly adapted to the surface of the teeth during the entire treatment, It will get the goals accomplished."

• Improves confidence and self-esteem.

  "A more harmonious and beautiful smile can even rejuvenate us and make us appear more confident. A smile has the power to renew a person, to empower them," says Dr. Eugenia Cervantes.

• Lastly, aesthetics.

  "Today it is not a matter of working with the public, but rather that people have understood the need to have

  a nice, well-groomed smile,

  to feel better about themselves, and thus be able to offer their best version to the people who They surround you. And the fact of wearing traditional orthodontic braces greatly mortgages this during the time of treatment," says Malagón.

DISADVANTAGES

In the telenovela 'Yo soy Betty, la fea', the protagonist wore 'braces'. Gtres

• The main drawback is

  time, which is usually longer

  than with

  braces

  , and the

  higher price

  .

  "We have three types of Invisalign: Express (mild cases), Lite (for moderate cases) and Invisalign Full (complex cases). The choice will depend on the degree of complexity of each case. Prices range between 2,000 and 4,600 euros on average," says Cervantes.

• Discipline is essential

  .

  Invisalign is "the Ferrari of orthodontics."

  Of course, regardless of the brands, you should always leave

  the treatment in the hands of an experienced orthodontist

  to obtain the desired results and heed the recommendations of taking it as long as possible or two years can be extended to even three treatment.

  "The aligners do not move by themselves, there must be good planning behind them," says the doctor.

• If you didn't regularly

  floss,

  welcome it.

  By correcting your smile, you will have new gaps in your teeth that you must keep clean for proper hygiene.

• Misleading advertising.

  Cervantes assures that the usual treatment time is usually about 18 months.

  Orthodontics is health and a long-term stable and functional result must always be sought.

  "The patient must be aware that

  it is not just about aligning a smile in six months

  as the new brands of aligners that bombard all day promise. Orthodontics goes further."

• The

  treatment requires a very complete initial study

  , with x-rays, taking intraoral and extraoral photographs, videos and intraoral scanning that will allow the patient to see a simulation of the result of their smile.

PROFILE TYPE

The actress Adriana Ugarte, one of the most notorious patients of Iván Malagón.Gtres

Little by little, the population is becoming aware of oral health, about the importance of having aligned teeth and correct chewing, says Cervantes.

"We already know the potential of orthodontics and how much it can improve our appearance, even more so with a system as comfortable and practical as invisible orthodontics."

Of course, the doctor notes how lately

has increased.

There are also many return patients.

"There are some cases, especially among those who have worn

in adolescence and due to carelessness did not wear retainers. Teeth have memory and it is normal that, without adequate retention, they tend to return to their initial position. That is why they reach the clinic because there are pieces that we have to replace".

In these cases, he affirms, it is possible

and what better than a more comfortable, aesthetic and removable system such as invisible orthodontics.

What they like most is

"They value that they did not have emergencies, as happens with braces and that visits to the dentist are more spaced."

That's why he now has more mature patients.

"At an advanced age they think that they can no longer wear orthodontics, but with the comfort and effectiveness of the system plus good planning they manage to stabilize their bite and improve their smile.

."

In short, those who improve their smile rejuvenate, are motivated and come to their next visits safer, concludes the doctor: "Without the fear of before showing their smile,

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