What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are a great way to completely align and straighten your teeth. If you’d rather not wear metal brackets and wires, these clear aligner trays can be worn to work just as effectively. Treatment is quicker and easier for most patients, and the aligners can be removed for more thorough brushing and flossing. Clear aligners are ideal for patients of all ages, including adults.
Why Would Clear Aligners Be Needed?
If your teeth are crooked or crowded, you might not like the way that you look. You might even find it difficult to clean your teeth properly. It is hard to floss around teeth that are too tight and crooked, and this can lead to both tooth decay and gum disease. For this reason, it is important for you to consider clear aligner treatment to benefit your oral health.
Do I need Invisalign?
If you're looking to have a good bite, aesthetics, shorter, more efficient cleanings, better speech and pronunciation, you might need Invisalign. Misaligned teeth suffer from food impaction and make it more difficult to brush and floss properly. Invisalign aids digestion by more efficient chewing and breakdown of food particles in your mouth.
Do I wear my Invisalign braces every day all day?
Invisalign should be worn about 22 to 24 hours a day. The aligners are changed approximately every two weeks, and you might wear them for as little as six months or more, depending on the shape and position of your teeth.
Traditional braces vs Invisalign?
Both braces and Invisalign are excellent options for moving teeth and improving your oral health. Invisalign is a wonderful alternative and can be more comfortable than braces. Invisalign is also much easier to maintain than traditional braces, as they are custom aligners that you simply take out before you eat. Braces can create sores in your mouth and it can be difficult to clean certain foods out of wires and brackets. Brushing and flossing your teeth with braces is a little more difficult than with Invisalign.
Who Is A Candidate For Clear Aligner Treatment?
Most patients who want or need clear aligner treatment are good candidates. You should be able to commit to treatment and will need to wear the aligners for the majority of the day and night. Because of this, they may not be suitable for children who might forget to replace them after taking them out. We will examine your teeth prior to treatment to determine if it’s the right choice for you.
What Happens During Clear Aligner Treatment?
Clear aligner treatment begins with a consultation, which includes an exam and x-rays. You will have a treatment plan made just for you and begin the work that is needed. We take impressions of your teeth and use these to make a custom-fitted aligner tray. You will wear these trays for about 22 hours a day, or as otherwise directed. You will then need to come back in to have new aligners made every few weeks as your teeth begin to shift. It is important that you stick to treatment so that you can benefit from a straighter smile in just a matter of about 18 to 24 months.
If you would like to learn more about clear aligner treatment and how it works, call us today so that we can get you in for a convenient consultation appointment.