What Is A Clear Aligner- And Is It Effective For Me?

What Is A Clear Aligner- And Is It Effective For Me?

Apr 01, 2021

You have been told or have heard these words “ I love your smile” or “I love how your smile transforms your face”. What is a smile without well-aligned healthy teeth? There are orthodontic devices that can help you have well-aligned and straight teeth. One of these devices is the clear aligners.

What Is A Clear Teeth Aligner?

Clear aligners are removable transparent plastic trays that are fitted into either your upper or lower rows of teeth to help align and straighten them. They are more like braces but are transparent and removable, hence they can also be called “invisible aligners”. If you are planning to meet an Orthodontist in Phoenix, you might want to know how a clear aligner works.

How Does Clear Teeth Aligner Work?

One of the initial misconceptions about clear aligners is, people think that their teeth are straightened or aligned overnight once they wear them. It doesn’t work that way.

Clear aligners work by applying gradual or controlled pressure to your teeth so they can move to their ideal location. This means if you consistently wear it, your teeth are aligned and straightened overtime.

This pressure passes from the root of the teeth to the jaw. Your jaw reacts to this controlled pressure by shifting the socket of your teeth until it is in the ideal location. Remember all this happens over time.

Clear aligners sometimes do not work alone. There are little bump-like objects called “attachments” that can be placed on the back of your teeth. These attachments act like pressure points on your teeth. Their shape and the way they are placed also determines the direction that the movement will follow.

You also have to understand that as your treatment advances, you have to switch clear aligners. Each one you switch is never the same as the last. This is to give room for teeth movement

Teeth Conditions In Which Clear Aligners Can Treat

You might need a clear aligner if you have a mild or moderate case of:

  • Overbites
  • Underbites
  • Crossbites
  • Crowded teeth
  • Small gaps between teeth
  • Crooked teeth
  • Open bite

Are Clear Teeth Aligners Effective?- Benefits

Before deciding on whether to visit a phoenix orthodontist or an orthodontist near phoenix. Here are 4 reasons why clear aligners are effective.

  • Detachable. Clear aligners can be removed before eating food, brushing, or flossing your teeth. They are unlike the traditional braces that are fixed to your teeth, which causes some difficulties when doing those things.
  • Comfortability. Since they are made of acrylic or plastic, they are flexible. They don’t dig into your cheeks like the metal wires of traditional braces do sometimes.
  • Reduced treatment time. They straighten and align your teeth faster. You only have to wear them for six to twelve months. Unlike the traditional braces that take up to one year or 2years
  • Invisible. They are transparent, which means they are undetectable when worn over the teeth. This is helpful if you are in a job that requires you to meet a lot of people. Or if you just don’t want attention on your teeth.

Possible Side Effects Of Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are good and sometimes better (depending on your preferences and teeth condition) alternatives than traditional braces. That doesn’t mean it is without its share of a little discomfort. You should keep in mind that these are small hitches that you can easily adjust to. Here are some of the side effects:

  • Dry mouth
  • Slight lisp
  • Loose teeth
  • Mouth odor
  • Slight pain, discomfort, or tightness.

You may experience all these during the first few days of wearing a clear aligner. These should stop after a few days or after cleaning your teeth after each meal in the case of mouth odor. Regard it that clear aligner is doing its work. For dry mouth, take a sip of water at intervals.

Limitations Of Clear Aligners

Clear aligners cannot be used to treat severe cases of crooked teeth, overbite, open bites, crossbites, or even overcrowded teeth

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