Clear aligners or invisible orthodontic trays are a very unique and promising method for straightening teeth as an alternative to braces. The credit goes to Align tech and specifically to Zia Chisti one of the co-founders of Align tech at its embryonic stages.

Clear aligners are manufactured through high-end 3d technology from 3d scanning dental models to 3d designing of teeth movements then 3D printing the sequential steps through a 3D printer and finally thermoforming plastic materials chemically made out of TPU or PETG to conclude a clear aligner form.

4D dynamic aligners are produced through using special shape memory polymers that could be formed on the targeted shape of teeth let’s assume the 4th step in the process of teeth aligning S4, the clear aligner is re-engineered in-lab under specific temperatures to shape S1, we call it “Back from the future” concept. The patient has an activation device to activate the clear aligners (Aligner booster) every 2 weeks and thus recover the shape of the clear aligner gradually to go back to S4 “ Back to the future”.
The result is instead of using 4 aligners per arch to align teeth over 2 months, by this technique we use only 1 aligner.

The technique proved in-lab as well as in the first waves of clinical trials to be supremely successful and functional.

On the other side recycling the 3D models is also considered a huge benefit, not only would any lab decrease the material waste but also save a lot of money. Recycling somehow represents a bit of investment at the start yet it is worth it on the long run.

A call to action, align teeth but don’t forget aligning your business to our planet, make your patients and planet smile :)

This is the future of us and our grandchildren.

Dr Sherif Kandil Mar/20/2019

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