Guide on Straightening Teeth with Clear Aligners
May 24, 2022
Most people straighten crooked teeth due to esthetic gains. There are many benefits of straightening your teeth. Straighter teeth are easy to clean, essential for your oral and overall wellness. Similarly, straighter teeth enhance your appearance, which positively impacts your self-confidence.
When looking to straighten crooked teeth, you may be wondering whether to go for traditional braces or clear aligners. Generally, both treatments are effective, depending on your condition. The only significant difference is that traditional braces use metal wires and brackets while clear aligners use clear plastic.
The visible nature of traditional braces is always a concern to some patients, making clear aligners the ideal option. Clear aligners are hardly noticeable, allowing you to straighten your teeth without compromising your smile. The treatment doesn’t also impact your diet or lifestyle. Let’s discuss clear aligners and how they work.
What are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners, also known as invisible aligners, are a type of orthodontic treatment used to correct misaligned and crooked teeth. Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners are virtually invisible and removable. Clear aligners are custom-made for every patient based on their dental conditions.
Clear aligners can correct several dental imperfections, including:
- Crowded teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Open bites
- Diastema
- Misaligned baby teeth
It’s worth noting that clear aligners aren’t as effective for complex misalignments as traditional braces. Therefore, if you have severely crooked or misaligned teeth, your dentist can recommend traditional braces or a combination of both treatments. For clear aligners near you, contact our prosthodontist in Calgary.
How Aligners Work
Popular brands for clear or invisible aligners include Invisalign, Candid, and byte. The clear or invisible aligner’s treatment typically involves:
- Initial consultation
If you’re considering clear aligners, you should begin by visiting an orthodontist for an exam. They will examine your teeth and take digital scans of your mouth. They will also ask you about your medical history.
- Treatment plan
After the initial examination, the dentist will review your results to determine whether you’re a good candidate for the clear aligner treatment. The dentist will create a customized treatment plan according to your specific condition and needs if you’re eligible.
- Aligners preparation
Once the dentist has the necessary impressions and digital scans of your mouth, they will use 3D technology to create digital models of your aligners. Once approved, these models are sent to a production facility to make the customized aligners. The orthodontist will guide you on how to wear the aligners.
- The aligner treatment
Like any other treatment, clear aligners come with instructions. For instance, you’ll have to change your aligners every 1-3 weeks. Each set of aligners moves the teeth to the desired position gradually.
Similarly, you should wear the aligners for at least 20-22 hours daily for quick and effective results. Some aligner companies allow you to wear the aligners for a lesser time. You must clean the aligner trays daily to minimize the risk of oral infections and teeth yellowing.
Furthermore, you should remove your clear aligners when eating and drinking anything apart from clear water. After eating or drinking, you must brush your teeth to prevent food particles from getting trapped under the aligners, increasing your risk of oral infections.
- Wearing a retainer
The treatment doesn’t end with the aligner trays. Once they straighten your teeth, you’ll need to wear a customized retainer to maintain the teeth in their new position. You don’t need to wear the retainer throughout the day. You can wear the retainer at night or a few days a week (follow your dentist’s instructions).
Caring for your Clear Aligners
Proper dental hygiene and habits are essential to care for your mouth and clear aligners. Use these tips:
- Brush your aligners. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear liquid soap every night. It helps eliminate any trapped debris, saliva, and food particles accumulated throughout the day.
- Rinse your aligners every time you remove them.
- Store your aligners when they aren’t in use.
- Brush your mouth before wearing your aligners.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Are you interested in clear aligners in NW, Calgary? Contact Northwest Prosthodontics for more information.