Clear Aligners
Many people dream of having the perfect smile. However, some people avoid actually getting orthodontic treatment because they don’t want to deal with how visible and cumbersome braces can be. Fortunately, there’s a discreet way to straighten your teeth –clear aligners.
Having crooked teeth not only makes people self conscious of their smiles, but it can also hinder their dental hygiene, which can lead to tooth decay or gum disease if it’s not treated in a timely manner. Fortunately, clear aligners are nearly invisible plastic replicas of your teeth. As you wear them, they put gentle pressure on your teeth to gradually reposition them.
Do I Need Clear Aligners?
Signs that you may need clear aligners include:
- Gapped teeth
- Crowded or cramped teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Open bite
- Crooked teeth
- Cross bite
That being said, aligners are not right for everyone. Aligners work best at straightening teeth and fixing the above conditions so long as they are mild or moderate. Those with more severe cases may need more complex treatment.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Clear aligners are clear, thin, plastic-like trays that are formed to fit an individual’s teeth. Patients are responsible for putting in and removing their aligners. A series of aligners is created to move teeth. Each aligner is worn for 1 week at a time, and moves teeth a fraction of a millimeter at a time. Patients must remove aligners for meals and when brushing/flossing. The number of aligners needed to correct misaligned teeth varies based on the individual’s orthodontic problem and its correction.
