Active Aligners Review: Cost, Benefits & Results of Clear Aligners in South Africa
By now you’ve probably seen it all over your Instagram and Tik Tok feed; clear aligners are blowing up on the South African dental scene. The clear, removable ‘braces’ offer an easier way for adults to achieve the perfect bite, which means saying no to traditional ‘railway line’ braces for teeth realignment. Comfortable, removable, and nearly invisible, it’s easy to see why the market for clear aligners is progressively expanding in South Africa and abroad.
But, while big-name players in the game are charging the earth for the treatment, one company is making it easier than ever before for South Africans to access treatment with clear aligners.
With a lab based in South Africa, Active Aligners offers South Africans seeking orthodontic treatment with clear aligners a more cost-effective, locally-made option that they can smile about.
If you’ve been tempted by clear aligners in the past but were unsure exactly what the treatment involved; the results you could expect; or how much it was going to cost you, then read on. I paid a visit to Active Aligners provider and go-to dentist to Capetonians in-the-know, Dr. Marc Sher, at Enamel Clinic to start my Active Aligners journey and have been documenting my progress along the way.
My process started with scans and fitting my clear aligners and since then I’ve shared a 5-month check-in with tips and tricks for wearing clear aligners.
I finished my Active Aligners journey in March this year and after giving my teeth some time to settle, it’s time to share about the final results. My entire journey with Active Aligners and Dr. Marc Sher at Enamel took just under a year. To say it was an easy, pain-free process seems like an understatement of note.
Rounding off my Active Aligners journey:
I initially went to Dr. Sher to fix a crowding issue with my bottom front teeth, but my consultation scan revealed that the best course of treatment would be to treat both my top and bottom jaw. Dr. Sher recommended I follow a treatment plan that required me to wear 20 Active Aligners on the lower jaw and 10 Active Aligners on the upper jaw. Each set of aligners was to be worn for 2 weeks at 22 hours per day, removing them only for eating and drinking.
After 10 months of wearing Active Aligners, I was finally ready to ditch both my upper and lower aligner trays and finish up my course of treatment for the prescribed 20 aligner trays on my lower jaw. My final week for my lower jaw saw me having to wear my last tray for an additional 5 weeks (6 weeks total) to allow my teeth time to fully settle into their new position.
During this time, I paid a visit to Dr. Sher for a final assessment, where we discussed my results. Dr. Sher analysed my bite and there were a few places he wanted to ‘refine’ the results for a better visual and practical result that would ensure my teeth stayed in their final position and also didn’t give me any discomfort. My teeth were already looking incredible at this point, but Dr. Sher wanted to ensure that I was completely satisfied with my results.
After having another 3D Active Aligners scan, Dr Sher advised that I wear another 6 ‘refinement’ trays to achieve optimum results. These trays would only be worn for 1 week, with a total treatment time of 6 weeks. Refinements are a common part of any Active Aligners journey, so make sure you discuss this with your dentist before starting so you’re not disappointed with having to add on another month or two after your initial batch of trays.
Keep in mind, the clear aligners process and predicted results are pretty accurate when predicted with a 3D scan, but after seeing your results in real-time, there may, of course, be small tweaks you would like done in the final stages.
Removable night retainers or fixed wire retainer?
Shortly before your treatment comes to an end, you will also have to discuss your long-term retainer plans with your dentist. You will need to wear lifelong retainers to ensure you maintain your clear aligner results. No matter your age, your teeth continue to move slightly, so retainer use is critical for maintaining the results of your treatment.
There are two options available: a removable night retainer or fixed wire retainer. A fixed wire retainer is a permanent retainer that holds in place the teeth to which they are attached, while a night retainer functions the same as the aligner trays you’ve become accustomed to throughout your treatment journey.
Dr. Sher recommended that I opt for a fixed wire retainer for my bottom jaw, due to the fact that my case was quite extensive. It’s the best possible way to ensure your teeth stay put. I was a little apprehensive at first, but after having the wire fitted on the bottom front teeth (behind them), I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was incredibly thin, basically invisible, and completely non-invasive.
After 5 months of living with it in my mouth, I have completely forgotten it is there. If your lower front teeth were really crooked or crowded before your treatment, then these types of retainers will be the most likely option for you.
As for the top teeth, I sleep with a night retainer. Dr. Sher had a bite guard made up that serves as both a night retainer to maintain my results as well as a protection for tooth grinding. Making sure I keep this retainer clean and remembering to pop it in each night before bed is pretty simple; but if you’re the type of person who won’t remember to reach for your night retainer at bedtime, then you’re better off going with the low-maintenance option of a wire.
You will have to take a bit of extra care to floss with an interdental brush for the front teeth where the wire sits but this can easily be incorporated into your existing flossing routine.
Results & Benefits of Active Aligners
The result of my Active Aligners treatment is beyond incredible. Over the past 30-odd years, I’ve had nothing but issues with my teeth, caused by crowding issues that prevented me from brushing and flossing effectively. Taking care of my teeth felt like a constant uphill battle and I could never have imagined how life-changing this Active Aligners treatment would be.
Not only do my teeth look incredible — I can now smile with absolute confidence — but my teeth and gums are healthier than they have ever been. Before having my Active Aligners treatment, I struggled massively with plaque buildup on my bottom teeth, which meant I had to book expensive cleanings with an oral hygienist every 3 months. Now, I’m able to get away with annual cleanings because I can brush and floss effectively and prevent plaque from accumulating. However, I do still plan to book bi-annual cleanings just to be proactive and keep my pearly whites looking great.
I’ve always thought of myself as having ‘problem teeth’ but now my teeth are the least of my health worries. It’s been 5 months since my treatment plan finished and my teeth have settled beautifully.
Interested in Active Aligners?
If you’re interested in Active Aligners, then book a consultation with Active Aligners expert Dr Marc Sher at Enamel Clinic Cape Town to find out if you’re a candidate for this innovative dental solution.
The holy grail of dentistry, Enamel Clinic, isn’t your average dentist’s office. The unique practice is home to dental experts specialising in dentistry care across the spectrum; from specialist hygienists to general dentists; aesthetic dentists; periodontists and more.
At Enamel, knowledge, skill and experience are the credentials that set the team apart from the rest. Not all dentistry is equal – when you visit the Enamel Clinic, your dentistry will be bespoke!
Dr. Marc Sher is a General Dentist and a partner at Enamel Clinic. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Science – B.Ch.D (UWC 2007), has achieved accreditation for Myobrace and is a Key Opinion Leader for Active Aligners South Africa. Book a consultation with Dr Sher at Enamel Clinic now!
For patients outside of Cape Town, Active Aligners has qualified providers located across South Africa. Visit the Active Aligners website for a full list of providers in South Africa.
For more information, follow Active Aligners on Facebook and Instagram. Follow Enamel Clinic on Facebook and Instagram.
