Clear Aligner Therapy

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of malocclusion. Orthodontic treatment has brought about a massive positive change in the lives of millions of people in America by giving them a smile they always wanted. There are several types of orthodontic appliances that we use to treat patients. One such appliance, which is known to be the most aesthetically pleasing one, is a clear aligner.

What are clear aligners?

Clear aligners are orthodontic appliances that bring about a change in the alignment of the patients' teeth. Clear aligners, as the name indicates, are made from a clear, dental-grade plastic material. The patient can wear the aligners, and they would stay under disguise as they are transparent. However, they quietly go about their job of moving the teeth to their right alignment by gently applying pressure on them in the required direction.

Procedure

When you visit our practice for the initial consultation, our dentist will conduct a thorough diagnosis to understand the severity of your condition. This will allow us to assess it and determine the best treatment method to treat the malocclusion. The dentist will prepare the teeth by thoroughly cleaning them. We use a hand-held scanning device to scan your teeth and take a precise mold of them. It will be used to fabricate the aligners in a dental laboratory, which can take a few days. During your next appointment, the dentist will hand you the aligners and guide you through their usage.

How to use the aligners?

Clear aligner therapy includes several sets of aligners that will have to be worn during each stage of the treatment. Once each stage is complete, which lasts for a few weeks, you will have to start using the next set of aligners. Each set of aligners will be slightly different from the previous set in terms of contour. You need to wear them every day but may take them off only when you have to brush the teeth or eat food.

Why should you choose clear aligners?

• The main advantage of clear aligners is that they are near-invisible. When you put them on, anyone who sees you talk or smile would hardly be able to spot them. This keeps you from the embarrassment of wearing dental braces.
  
• Unlike braces, clear aligners do not have any metal components that could injure the soft tissues of your mouth.
• When you take a hard blow to the mouth or have a bad fall, the chances of you getting injured due to the aligners are almost none. But, in the case of braces, it's quite sure that you will be injured due to the brackets or wires.
• You need not stick to a particular diet during the treatment phase. You can eat anything you want to. But, ensure there is no food debris on the teeth before putting the aligners back on.

To have a consultation with our dentists, please schedule an online appointment or call us at (831) 372-7548, and we will be happy to help.