The Inman aligner is a mixture of aligner, retainer and spring loaded brace, all in one package. It’s pretty powerful, but why? Usually a multi-tool is less effective than a device specifically designed to perform one task, so what’s the logic behind this Swiss army orthodontic tool?
Complex treatment
Orthodontist treatment is really straightforward; the crossbites are the best example of this where some teeth need pushing back and some need to be moved forward. Mix in the potential of a part of the dental arch which is overcrowded, or where a different part of the arch is gappy needing condensing, and you can see there is a very valuable space where a strong yet flexible orthodontic multitool can be useful and will come into its own.
What the treatment like?
The nature of cases that require the application of an Inman Aligner are by definition complex, so treatment can be as short as a week or may extend to 18 weeks depending on individual cases. It is removable, giving it the same flexibility as clear aligners around food choices, as the tool can be removed whilst eating and as long as you brush before reinsertion. Cleaning and maintaining it is relatively straightforward compared to a fixed brace, as it can be cleaned using a cold water tap.
Clinical effectiveness
The clinical effectiveness of the Inman system is without doubt its titanium coil springs. This allows the aligner to operate using a set of bars as it does not require attention to be stored in archwire. This enables a wide range of movement to be consistently applied across two opposing directions, which is necessary when correcting crossbites.
If the aligner is used too aggressively, there is a risk of damage to thin enamel, as the bars apply very high pressure up and across the length of the tooth. This will be taken into consideration and mitigated by the practising orthodontist.
Post-treatment
Aftercare following this aligner usually involves a retainer, to avoid the common complication of reversion, where tendons which usually stabilise teeth by anchoring them like ropes spreading from the sides of the teeth to the jaw bone move. These tendons are under placed under tension when the tooth position is changed. When the pressure exerted by the aligners cease with the end of treatment, the tendons begin migrating the teeth back to the starting locations.
These are limited by the uses of retainers, which hold teeth in place, maintaining the position until the tendons have altered the length and accepted their new positions. Thankfully most retainers are only required at night making them less obstructive to daily routines.
Is it the right treatment for you?
Selecting correct orthodontic treatment for any particular misalignment is very important; not all treatments are incredibly effective. The more invasive the treatment, the more invasive it will be in your everyday life. So it is important that you get a full assessment from your local dentist in Ipswich. If your misalignment is particularly complicated, they may refer you to a partner specialist orthodontist.
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