How Does The Clear Aligners Treatment Work?

Aug 10, 2021

Who doesn’t like a great smile? Thanks to orthodontic treatments, getting a straighter smile has never been this easy. While there are numerous teeth-straightening treatments available, traditional braces are perhaps the most renowned options.

Unfortunately for traditional braces, you’ll have to deal with metal wires and brackets to move or shift the teeth to the desired position. Another downside is that you’ll have to brush your way around the braces, which can be challenging, especially for children.

Thankfully, there’s a better, safer, secretive, and more effective alternative to metal braces: clear aligners. Northwest Prosthodontics offers clear aligners in Calgary, AB.

 What are Clear Aligners?

 Clear or invisible braces are a type of orthodontic treatment designed to correct crooked or misaligned teeth. Unlike metal braces, clear braces are invisible and removable, offering more convenience and flexibility.

Usually, clear aligners consist of thin, clear trays, specifically made to fit your teeth, depending on your condition. Types of clear braces include Invisalign, Clear Correct, SureSmile, and more.  Invisalign aligners are the most recognized and used type of clear aligners.

 Benefits of Clear Aligners

There are many benefits to wearing clear braces over alternatives methods. These include;

• They are removable.
• No food restrictions.
• Allow for easy brushing and flossing. Food doesn’t get stuck under the wires.
• Quicker and more effective treatment.
• Require few visits to the dentist.
• They are nearly invisible, making it difficult for people to notice them. This allows you to correct your smile confidently without hiding your smile makeover Calgary.

Who Should Get Clear Aligners?

While clear aligners offer more benefits than alternative teeth-straightening treatments, they may not be suitable for everyone. To know whether you’re eligible for the treatment, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist for professional examination and advice.

Commonly, clear aligners can treat various dental issues, including:

• Misaligned teeth
• Overbites – Cases where the upper teeth on the upper jaw overlap with the lower front teeth.
• Underbites – Happens when the front teeth in the lower jaw overlap with the upper front teeth.
• Diastema – Cases of large and small gaps between teeth.
• Open Bites – Cases when the front lower and upper teeth slant outwards and don’t touch when one closes the mouth.

For clear aligners near you in Calgary, AB, contact Northwest Prosthodontics.

How Clear Aligners Treatment Work

 If you’re considering clear aligners, but you’re wondering how it works, here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

1. Initial Consultation

The first step to the clear aligners treatment is to see your dentist or orthodontic for an oral examination. During the exam, the dentist will examine your teeth and guide you respectively. If you’re eligible for the treatment, your dentist will take digital scans and impressions of your teeth and mouth, as well as a 3D scan of your roots and bones.  These details, together with a treatment plan, will be sent to a lab for the creation of the aligners.

2.  Wearing the Aligners

Once the clear aligners are ready, your dentist will call you in for another appointment. During this appointment, they will examine the aligners to ensure proper fit. The dentist will demonstrate to you how to wear, remove, and clean the aligners.  You may have buttons (small composite fillings) placed on your teeth to help aid the movement of your teeth.  You may also need to have minor adjustments done on the teeth, call IPR, to help fit the teeth into the arch properly.

You’ll also be given a few sets of aligners to carry home. Please note that you’ll have to wear a new set of aligners every 10days to 2 weeks, depending on your condition.  For effective treatment, you’ll have to wear the aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day. Depending on the state of your condition, the treatment can take between 10 – 24 months.

3. Wearing the Retainer

Once the aligner treatment is complete, you’ll have to wear a retainer to help maintain the teeth in their new position. If a retainer is not worn, the straightened teeth can shift back to their original position, undoing the treatment. At first, you may have to wear the retainer for 24 hours a day, and then later, you can wear them every night. You can discuss with your dentist when to wear the retainer.

Tips For Caring for Your Clear Aligners

Proper dental care and hygiene are very important during the clear aligner’s treatment. If good hygiene isn’t observed, it’s easy for food particles and other debris to get trapped between the teeth and the aligners, leading to bad breath, yellow teeth, gum disease, and cavities.

To care for your aligners, use the following tips:

• Always rinse the aligners with water after removal.
• Clean the aligners daily using a soft brush.
• If possible, brush after every and floss daily.
• Always remove the aligners before eating or drinking.
• Deep clean the aligners or retainer by soaking them at least once a week.

 Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you interested in a clear aligner therapy? Visit a prosthodontist near you. Or, contact Northwest Prosthodontics to speak with a specialist prosthodontist in NW, Calgary.