Whether you’re looking to close a gap or tackle a more serious dental problem like an overbite, clear aligners provide an effective solution. However, not all aligners are created equal. Unlike traditional invisible braces, clear aligners can be removed to enjoy meals and social occasions. However, patients must wear them for the prescribed amount of time each day for best results. It is also recommended that they brush their teeth before putting them back in. This prevents them from trapping liquid against their teeth and stains from developing.

It’s important to research, read reviews, and visit orthodontists in Webster to make an informed decision. The right clear aligner treatment can provide you with the following benefits:

Comfortable

Unlike standard braces, which are bonded to the teeth and connected by wires and tiny rubber bands, clear aligners are made of smooth, comfortable, BPA-free plastic that’s virtually invisible. They’re worn over the teeth and gradually shift them until they are in their final positions.

The treatment process begins with a consultation and detailed impressions or digital scans of the teeth to create a 3D model of your mouth. This model is then used to develop your custom-fitted clear aligners.

During treatment, you’ll wear each set of clear aligners for a specified amount of time, removing them only to eat, drink, brush and floss. Regular check-up appointments allow your orthodontist to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments, ensuring that you get the best results possible from clear aligners. They can correct a variety of orthodontic issues including crooked teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites and crowded teeth. The gentle pressure applied by the aligners will gradually move your teeth into their new positions, correcting your smile and bite.

Removable

The ability to remove them also allows patients to maintain their normal diet without having to avoid foods like chewing gum, popcorn, or candy. Furthermore, clear aligners do not require the wearing of dental elastics, which can become uncomfortable after a while.

During the treatment, patients must visit their dentist regularly to check the progress of their case. This is to ensure that the aligners are moving their teeth as planned and to correct any issues, such as a lisp or overbite. During these visits, the orthodontist can also replace any lost or damaged aligners. This can help to reduce the length of treatment, as well as the cost of the procedure.

Efficient

Clear aligners are effective in a variety of situations, including closing gaps between teeth and correcting an overbite (when the upper front teeth overlap with the lower teeth) or underbite (when the lower teeth protrude beyond the upper teeth). They can also address crowded teeth by redistributing them evenly along the dental arch.

Because they don’t have metal wires or brackets, clear aligners can be more comfortable than traditional braces. However, they do require consistent wear in order to achieve the desired results.

If your alignment trays aren’t worn properly, they may not be as effective at straightening your smile. To ensure that your trays are working efficiently, avoid drinking anything other than water while wearing them.

Some clear aligner treatments include attachments, which are small ‘buttons’ that are glued to the surface of your teeth. These help the aligner apply pressure to specific areas of your teeth, so they move into place. During treatment, your orthodontist will add or remove these attachments as needed.

Discreet

Clear aligners are made of a thin, clear plastic material that is custom-fitted to your teeth. They are nearly invisible, resistant to clouding from wear and tear, and much more discreet than fixed braces with wires and brackets.

They also allow you to eat, drink, brush and floss normally, without working around wires or brackets that could become dislodged or broken. Plus, you may have to make fewer visits to your orthodontist for treatment because the aligners are removable.

Clear aligners use gradual pressure to shift your teeth into alignment. Sometimes these movements are assisted by special attachments which attach to the tooth or are built into the aligner itself. This allows clear aligners to treat a wider range of malocclusions than traditional braces. However, results depend on how diligently you wear them and follow your orthodontist’s treatment plan. Some patients begin to see noticeable improvements in as little as a few months, but more complex issues could take longer.