Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are an alternative to traditional braces and are designed to help guide teeth into their proper position. Similar to braces, clear aligners use a gradual force to control tooth movement, but without metal wires or brackets. The aligners are made of a strong plastic material and are fabricated to fit each individual’s mouth. If a series of aligners are needed, each aligner moves the teeth in increments until the desired movement is achieved.
Aligners are worn for at least 20 hours a day to reach the desired maximum effectiveness. Each aligner is worn for three weeks before changing to the next one. The length of treatment with aligners depends upon the severity of each case. Typically, aligner treatment can be as short as three weeks or as long as six months. Overall, aligners offer a much shorter treatment than traditional braces.
Advantages of orthodontic treatment with clear aligners
Clear aligners are a great alternative for patients who want a straighter smile, but do not want to wear traditional metal braces. Also, aligners are beneficial for patients with previous orthodontic treatment that want to make minor corrections to their smile. There are several advantages to using clear aligners:
- Clear aligners are removable so it is easier for you to brush and floss after meals
- Clear aligners are easier to keep clean
- Clear aligners are comfortable and less likely to irritate your gums and cheeks
- Clear aligners can prevent tooth crown wear from grinding
What Makes Home Teeth Aligners So Affordable?
Consider the process involved in traditional orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign or braces. A dentist personally inspects your teeth, then customizes your treatment plan, then applies the prescribed dental appliances on your behalf. Every month after that, you schedule an appointment and go into the office so your provider can monitor your progress and make adjustments accordingly. That’s a lot of one-on-one office care — and it can get expensive.
Home teeth alignment programs, on the other hand, are developed remotely by a licensed dentist or orthodontist and shipped directly to your home. By eliminating all the in-person attention from a dentist, these treatments cut costs while freeing up your schedule.
What Are Invisible Teeth Aligners?
Invisible teeth aligners are clear, tight-fitting mouthpieces that fit over your teeth. They’re a popular alternative to traditional metal braces.
“Invisible teeth aligners are clear, removable, and are worn all day and all night,” Andrew Geller, DDS, a dentist at Geller Family Dental, tells WebMD Connect to Care. “They are only removed for eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth.”
These aligners are less noticeable than traditional metal braces but can achieve similar results for many patients.
“Invisible teeth aligners are prescribed for patients interested in correcting crowding of teeth, spacing, bite issues, and those who want an overall improvement in their smile,” Geller says. “The aligners can accomplish the same things as fixed braces, and treatment time is generally quicker.”
How Do Aligners Straighten Teeth?
Invisible teeth aligners work similarly to traditional metal braces, but they don’t involve getting metal brackets glued to your teeth or placing wires in your mouth.
Teeth aligners are created from molds or digital scans of your teeth. These molds are used to create a series of clear plastic mouthpieces that put gentle pressure on your teeth and gradually move them into proper dental alignment, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. You will wear each set of mouthpieces for 1-2 weeks before switching to a new set that will move your teeth to slightly different positions.
Invisible teeth aligners can straighten teeth and lead to a healthy smile as long as you wear them as prescribed. Geller says you should be honest with yourself about what type of treatment you are willing to commit to.
“In total, patients looking to straighten their teeth should wear their aligners 22 hours a day,” Geller says. “Unmotivated patients often stop wearing their aligners altogether or do not wear them for the appropriate amount of time. This can potentially lead to even more challenging dental issues that are difficult to correct.”
