Description
Do you dream of having the perfect smile? Having crooked or crowded teeth can make people self-conscious about their smiles, and can also hinder their dental hygiene, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, or other issues with oral health. Perhaps you’ve avoided orthodontic treatment because, as an adult, you don’t want to wear traditional metal braces. Fortunately, there may be a more discreet way to straighten your teeth:
Clear Aligners are nearly invisible plastic shells that snap over your teeth. As you wear them, they apply gentle pressure on your teeth to gradually reposition them. If you are suffering from problems with your teeth, clear aligner treatments may be the orthodontic solution you have looking for.
How Do Perfect Aligners Work?
Clear aligners are sets of clear, thin, plastic-like trays that are custom-formed to fit your mouth and sequentially apply the pressure required to move the teeth. Typically, each aligner is worn for 2 weeks at a time, at least 22 hours a day, and moves teeth a fraction of a millimeter at a time.
Aligners must be removed when you eat or drink and when brushing and flossing. 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. To find out if aligners are the best solution for you, schedule a consultation with your orthodontist.
What Do Perfect Aligners Treat?
The most common conditions treated by aligners include:
Abnormal Eruption
Abnormal eruption is when a tooth emerges through the gum in the wrong place and can lead to other issues.
Overjet (Protrusion)
An overjet, often mistaken for an overbite, refers to a horizontal issue where the front teeth splay out.
Underbite
An underbite happens when lower teeth overlap the upper teeth and is often caused by a misaligned jaw.
Overbite (Deep Bite)
With an overbite, the upper teeth protrude further than the lower teeth and may completely cover them.
Open Bite
An open bite occurs when the upper teeth and the lower teeth do not meet when the mouth is closed.
Crossbite
A crossbite is a type of malocclusion, or a misalignment of teeth, where upper teeth fit inside of the lower teeth.
Excessive Spacing
This may result when one or more teeth fail to grow in, are lost, or there is a discrepancy between jaw size and tooth size.
Crowding
Crowding a common issue and is the result of inadequate space in the jaws to accommodate all of the teeth.
Clear aligners may be a treatment option if you want straighter teeth and a less visible option to traditional braces.
Who Isn’t Eligible for Aligners?
Clear aligners are not right for everyone. Aligners work best at straightening teeth with mild to moderate problems. Aligners can even be combined with traditional orthodontic elastics to help with mild or moderate bite correction, those with more severe cases may need more complex treatment, which is treated more predictably with traditional braces.
An orthodontist is best qualified to determine whether braces or clear aligners are the best treatment option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Perfect Aligners
Is there anything that needs to be done before getting clear aligners?
Is getting aligners faster than getting braces?
Not necessarily. Clear aligners are not usually fabricated on site, and delivery from the manufacturer can take 1-2 weeks. Combined with initial scans, placing attachments, and educating the user on how to properly wear and care for them, aligners can…
What is the process for getting clear aligners?
In-scanning or impressions (10-15 minutes)
Treatment plan Three to five business days Production and shipping of aligners after treatment is approved (this step may take up to two weeks Delivery of aligners,
placement of accessories, instructions for wear and care, etc.) 45 minutes – 60 minutes at the clinic)
How will my mouth feel after getting clear aligners?
As with anything new, you can expect an adjustment period of about a week as it gets used to your aligners. Mild discomfort is common for the first few days. This is temporary and can be relieved by rinsing with…
Before & After Cases:
