Crooked teeth or misalignment is a common dental imperfection among both children and adults, which in most cases, affects your self-confidence. While orthodontic treatments such as braces may help straighten crooked teeth, the discomfort that comes with it may hinder you from getting treatment. Fortunately, with dental technology, there are various alternatives to traditional braces, including clear aligners in
Orlando, which are more discreet and comfortable.
What are clear aligners?
Clear or invisible aligners are mouthpieces used during orthodontic treatment to correct crooked teeth. They are hardly noticeable compared to traditional braces. Clear aligners are custom-built to meet the needs of different patients depending on the severity of teeth misalignment. Your specialist may recommend clear aligners to fix various problems such as:
- Crowded
teeth - Overbites
- Underbites
- Open
bites - Crossbite
There are different brands of clear aligners including Invisalign, and Byte®. However, your dentist is in a better position to determine which one may best work for you.
What does this orthodontic treatment involve?
Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners involves an initial consultation. Here, your orthodontist will examine your teeth to ensure you are a good candidate for clear aligners. Patients with severe teeth misalignment may not benefit from this treatment. Your orthodontist will take x-rays and impressions of your teeth and send them to a laboratory to create a custom treatment plan for you. Your specialist may show you the digital preview of your aligners before fabrication. You may need to wait for several weeks or months before your aligners are ready. Not all cases require an in-person consultation, as other brands allow you to send molds of your teeth via mail.
After getting your aligners, your orthodontist may require that you have them on for at least 22 hours every day to achieve the desired results. You can take out an aligner when eating or brushing but put them back on immediately after. The treatment period may vary from patient to patient, from 10 to 24 months. When treatment is complete, and your teeth are well-aligned, your orthodontist may recommend that you wear retainers to prevent malocclusion – teeth from shifting to a previous position.
Care guidelines for clear aligners
- Take
out aligners before eating. - Ensure
you rinse the aligners after removal with cold or lukewarm water. Do not
use hot water as it may warp the plastic and damage the aligners. - Brush
and floss your teeth each time before you wear your aligners. - Use
mild soap to clean the aligners and not toothpaste.
The benefits of clear aligners
- Clear
aligners are made out of plastic, making them more comfortable to wear
than traditional braces. - They
are removable. You are not limited to specific foods since you can take
them off before eating. - Since
no adjustments are needed, clear retainers require fewer dentist visits,
usually only once every month or after every six weeks. - Clear
aligners straighten your teeth, improving your dental outlook and making
it easier to brush and floss.
If you have further inquiries or want to start treatment, book a session with your orthodontist at Orlando Center For Cosmetic Dentistry for a consultation today.
