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Many people prefer to search for clear aligners near me when considering orthodontic treatment. These appliances provide comfort, convenience, and an almost invisible design, making them a popular, attractive alternative to traditional metal braces.
Nevertheless, it may sound too good to be true that several sets of mouthguard-like appliances will magically give you the perfect, straight smile. Let’s explain how clear aligners work and go through the step-by-step treatment process so you can know how to improve your smile in the future.
Clear aligners are an innovative orthodontic system that straightens teeth using custom-made trays. These aligners are made of a flexible plastic material intended to move teeth precisely while offering enhanced comfort.
Since aligners like Invisalign® are removable, they are a more convenient option for many patients than traditional metal braces, which are cemented to the teeth. In addition, the translucent nature of clear aligners gives them a more discreet appearance for patients—particularly adults—who are self-conscious about their appearance.
Aligners can treat a wide variety of orthodontic issues, including:
Not every patient can benefit from Invisalign; for example, patients with severe malocclusions or complicated bite problems might need to pursue alternative orthodontic treatments. On the other hand, clear aligners have been shown to be more successful than conventional braces in the cases they can treat.
But how do they achieve that?
Clear aligners are thin, plastic trays shaped to fit your mouth precisely. Your teeth will gradually realign because of the mild pressure they apply while you wear them.
Typically, each aligner is worn for one week at a time for at least 22 hours a day, moving your teeth a fraction of a millimeter at a time. You should only take them off to brush, floss, eat, or drink.
If the trays are not used during the prescribed periods, the orthodontic treatment will not go as planned. As a result, your treatment could get delayed, or you may have additional expenses due to having to remake the trays.
Patients also have the option of wearing nighttime aligners if they are unable to wear them consistently. These are worn only at night to move teeth gently and continuously to correct problems with bite alignment and teeth alignment.
The night aligners are worn in a progressive series, like regular all-day aligners. Each tray must be worn for longer before moving to the next one—about two weeks—as it has less time to take effect. After the last tray, your bite will be corrected.
The number of aligners and treatment times needed to correct misaligned teeth varies based on the individual’s orthodontic issues and the movements needed to correct them.
Clear aligners can be a discreet and comfortable way to get the smile of your dreams. Because they’re removable and seemingly unnoticeable, they allow you to maintain your lifestyle without the hassle of traditional braces.
So, how’s the process for getting this treatment?
The first step in the orthodontic process is making an appointment for an orthodontist or dentist consultation. During this appointment, your doctor will evaluate your oral health and decide if clear aligners are the best course of treatment for you.
During the consultation, your orthodontist will take pictures, X-rays, and digital scans of your teeth. Using advanced 3D imaging technology, we can create a digital model of your teeth, which allows us to map out a personalized treatment plan that explains the movements your teeth will experience and the expected duration of the procedure.
Moreover, you can also see a preview of how your teeth will look once your treatment is completed.
After your treatment plan is decided upon, Invisalign or SureSmile® will make a set of personalized aligners that gradually move your teeth into the desired position—we don’t make them ourselves!
Each set of aligners is customized to fit your mouth precisely, offering the highest level of comfort and efficacy. Moreover, the medical-grade, BPA-free SmartTrack thermoplastic used allows gradual, controlled pressure to be applied to your teeth, speeding up the process without causing you too much pain.
As advised by your orthodontist, you will wear each set of aligners for one to two weeks at a time. After the allotted time, you will move on to the next set of aligners, which will keep moving your teeth toward their ideal alignment.
For the treatment to be effective, you must wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. You should only remove your aligners for eating, brushing, flossing, and drinking anything other than water.
Your orthodontist will arrange routine checkups during your Invisalign treatment to monitor your progress and ensure your teeth are moving according to schedule. Usually, six to eight weeks apart, these appointments involve getting your new set of aligners.
Because Invisalign makes small, gradual adjustments, keeping your aligner changes and checkups on schedule is critical. Additionally, your orthodontist might advise using "attachments," which are tiny, tooth-colored dots of dental bonding material placed on particular teeth to give the aligners more grip.
These facilitate more intricate dental movements and increase treatment efficacy.
When you have finished wearing every aligner in your treatment plan, your teeth should be properly aligned. Nevertheless, your treatment is not over when you take out the aligners.
Most patients with clear aligners will need to wear retainers to keep their teeth from moving back into their original positions. Retainers are typically worn full-time at first to ensure your new smile takes hold. Afterward, you can progressively reduce to nighttime wear.
People with crowded or crooked teeth may feel self-conscious about their smiles. They may also not practice good dental hygiene, increasing the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems.
Maybe you have put off getting braces because you do not want to wear the traditional metal ones. However, using clear aligners to straighten teeth is more covert. If you’re considering starting your treatment and want to learn more about it, contact Black Bear Dental!
*Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/ or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.
