Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment system that will give you beautiful, straight teeth without the discomfort and appearance of traditional braces.
Customized plastic trays, called aligners, are used to bring your teeth into the correct alignment gently. Clear aligners can correct most problems that traditional braces can fix from crooked teeth to issues with your bite.
The aligners are worn at night and throughout the day and should only be removed for eating and brushing and flossing. They are virtually invisible, and most people will never know that you are wearing them.
Clear aligners are available for both teenagers and adults. The average treatment lasts about 12 to 15 months, but every plan is personalized for the individual patient, so your treatment time may be longer or shorter. We will work with you to create your customized plan and keep you informed of the progress you are making.
Why Choose Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners have numerous advantages over traditional braces:
- Traditional braces require frequent appointments to tighten the wires and check the condition of the braces. With Clear aligners, you just switch to the next set, which are created according to the order of treatment laid out by you and your dentist.
- Braces can leave permanent marks on your teeth from the brackets. Even with good oral hygiene habits, plaque can still gather around the brackets and cause damage to the enamel of your teeth.
- Clear aligners allow you to eat any foods you want without the restrictions on sticky or crunchy foods that are known for damaging the wires and brackets of traditional braces.
- The wires of traditional braces can poke at your mouth and cause pain and even injury. A broken wire often means an additional visit to your dentist or orthodontist.
Who Is a Candidate for Clear Aligners?
Are you concerned about crooked teeth? Do you have a prominent overbite or underbite?
Clear aligners can treat these common problems and many others, including:
- Protruding teeth
- Wide gaps
- Unusual spacing
- Crowding
- Open bite
- Crossbite
Caring for Clear Aligners
Practicing good oral hygiene habits during treatment is easy. Remove the aligners and brush and floss your teeth as usual. Brush your aligner and rinse with warm water or use a clear aligners cleaning kit to keep your aligners in good shape and free from bacteria.
Never use hot water to rinse or clean your aligners. The plastic could warp. If this happens, call our office immediately. You should also call our office if you crack or damage your aligner in any other way. A cracked aligner will not correctly move your teeth, and it will actually impede your progress.
It’s important to always brush your teeth following a meal and before you replace your aligners. If you replace your aligners without brushing, not only could you cause bacteria to become trapped against your teeth, you could also cause staining and other damage to the aligners.
Please contact our office to find out more information. We are happy to schedule a consultation appointment so you can find out whether Clear aligners are a good option for you.
