Clear Aligners
Clear aligners prove that effective orthodontic treatment doesn’t have to be difficult. These ingenious appliances have helped millions straighten their teeth and achieve better-looking smiles, and they can help you, too.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are an effective and discreet orthodontic treatment option worn comfortably over your teeth to adjust alignment and spacing continuously.
Clear aligners are custom-made using models of your current teeth and the end result you hope to achieve. With clear aligners, you will switch to new aligners about every two weeks with each set shifting the teeth slightly—this continues until you have achieved your final results, which usually takes about two years.
You remove the clear aligners for eating, drinking, and cleaning only. At first, they will feel very tight, but they will begin to loosen and feel more comfortable after a few days.
Post-Treatment Care
First 3-6 Months After Clear Aligners
After completing orthodontic treatment, wear your retainers day and night for the first 3 months. Remove them only for eating and brushing your teeth. Afterward, wear them only at night to maintain your smile. Consistent nighttime wear is necessary to prevent teeth from shifting. Neglecting to wear the retainers regularly will cause them to lose effectiveness.
Retainers typically last up to two years, but some may wear out sooner, especially if you unknowingly grind or clench your teeth, which is common in over 85% of the population. The first tray used intensively for the initial three months is also prone to stretching. Several uncommon factors, like irregular retainer use, can lead to premature stretching. Regardless of the cause, teeth may shift even if the retainer is used as instructed.
Every 6 Months
Try on a new duplicate retainer every six months. If the new retainers feel noticeably tighter, it means your current set has stretched. To prevent teeth shifting, switch to a new set.
Having only one set of retainers makes it hard to detect teeth shifting until it becomes apparent, by which time it’s too late to prevent changes in your smile. Getting new retainers through a scan or impression will halt further shifting, but it won’t realign your teeth to their previous ideal position.
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How does the clear aligners process work?
To begin, we will take photographs of your teeth and face, dental impressions of your teeth, and x-rays. Those records are sent to the supplier with detailed instructions on how we want the final result to appear. Clear aligners will scan the impressions to create a 3D model of the teeth and work with your dentist to get the mold to its exact proportions. Once final, the trays are made and mailed to your dentist’s office. You will wear a set of trays for two weeks at a time for approximately 2 years, or the length determined by your dentist.
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Clear aligners vs. braces - what's the difference?
There are many differences between clear aligners and braces; we’ve listed some of the largest ones. Ultimately, the decision is up to you, but introducing Invisalign to the market introduced a more efficient, less painful way to straighten teeth.
- Clear aligners use clear transparent aligners, while braces use wires and brackets. The user can remove Invisalign aligners at any time, while a professional can only remove braces.
- Clear aligners allow users to eat whatever they want and not make changes to their oral care practices, while braces restrict what they can safely eat and require special maintenance and care.
- Clear aligners do not present injury risks, while braces can lead to cuts and other injuries.
- Clear aligners are nearly impossible for others to notice, while braces are almost impossible to miss.
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Who can use clear aligners?
Most teens and adult patients requiring mild to moderate orthodontic corrections can use clear aligners. This includes patients with teeth that are crooked and misaligned or teeth that feature noticeable spacing problems. Clear aligners can even help patients with minor bite issues—however, not all orthodontic issues can be treated with clear aligners. More extensive problems will require additional treatment.
More Questions?
If you have more questions about clear aligners, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further.
