Clear Aligners 101: Everything You Need to Know

Clear Aligners 101: Everything You Need to Know

Mar 08, 2021

Everyone desires a beautiful smile, but for some of us, this can be hard to attain. Dental problems like teeth misalignment, bite problems and overcrowding make it hard for some people to maintain oral health and dental appearance. Fortunately, with the services of our orthodontist dentist near Phoenix, you can attain a beautiful smile and improve oral health.

Traditional braces have long been used to correct orthodontic problems. But, with the advancement of dental technology, we have clear aligners that can conveniently offer the same results.

What are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners or invisible braces are orthodontic devices designed to correct malocclusion and other orthodontic problems. These braces are made from a thermoplastic material that is biocompatible, meaning it is gentle on the gums. They are customized to fit your precise dental structure and are created based on the severity of the dental problem.

Invisible braces fit over your teeth and gradually reposition the teeth.

Who Can Benefit From the Clear Aligners?

While braces are recommended for anyone, clear aligners are meant for adults and teens. These devices are custom-made for a tight fit and are therefore ideal for people who have matured teeth and jaw. Children are not ideal candidates because their teeth and jaw are still developing. Using these braces may affect the development and cause the teeth to become crooked.

Also, because of their design, clear aligners are recommended for people with mild to moderate malocclusion. If you have severe bite and jaw problems, our orthodontist in Phoenix may recommend other complex treatments.

Why Use Clear Aligners?

A common misconception is that traditional braces are better than clear braces. However, these work the same, and both will gradually reposition the teeth. Unlike conventional braces, these aligners are removable and customized to fit your precise dental structure. The braces make it easy for you to clean the teeth and gums.

Also, you can remove them when you are eating. This makes it easy to keep the teeth and aligners clean.

How do They Work?

Our Phoenix orthodontist will examine your teeth and give you a set of aligners throughout the treatment process. You will need multiple aligners because a single aligner can only move the teeth slightly.

The aligners are fabricated in a process that includes:

  • Mapping and assessment

The orthodontist in 85044 will first examine your teeth and bite to determine the severity of the malocclusion. During the appointment, the orthodontist will take a precise digital scan of the mouth using s 3D scan. This is used to fabricate the aligners.

You will be able to see a digital preview of the expected results. The dentist may use software to determine the pressure and time needed to attain the new teeth position.

  • Treatment process

You will get a set of aligners every one to two weeks. These aligners are to be worn for 22 hours every day for effective treatment. Each aligner needs about two weeks to move the teeth.

It is important to remove the aligners when you are eating, brushing, and drinking. You will need to visit the dentist every six to eight weeks for assessment and monitoring of the treatment process.

  • Retention phase

After the treatment, the dentist will give you a custom clear retainer to help in maintaining the new position. These retainers should be worn every night to ensure the teeth do not revert.

How Long Does Treatment Last?

Some people have reported positive results within six months using some brands such as Invisalign®. But, on average the treatment lasts between 10 to 24 months depending on the severity of the malocclusion.

How Can You Preserve the Aligners?

Here are few tips that can help preserve the braces:

  • Rinse the aligners with lukewarm water every day
  • Brush and floss the teeth before wearing the aligners.
  • Keep the aligners moist by soaking them in denture cleaner.
  • Always remove the aligners when eating and drinking.
  • Clean the aligners daily with mild soap. Do not use toothpaste as this can damage the braces.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Braces for all Faces for more information on clear aligners, the cost of treatment, and the types of brands available.

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