Clear Aligners are one of the more popular ways to straighten teeth these days. These devices make it possible to deal with orthodontic issues without having to worry about metal brackets and wires ruining the appearance of your smile.
A person's smile is one of the first things people notice during social interactions. For many people, having their appearance altered by braces is simply not an option. It is one of the reasons many adults with orthodontic issues refused to get treatment before clear aligners were invented.
How clear aligners work
Patients are given a series of teeth straightening trays that work similarly to the way traditional braces work. Each tray exerts pressure on the patient's teeth, gradually pushing it into the proper position. The trays are worn for a period of two weeks each and then are replaced by another set that pushes the wearer's teeth a little closer to the desired position.
When a patient wants to straighten their teeth with aligners, the first step is a consultation with a dentist. During the visit, the dentist will inspect the patient's teeth and determine if clear aligners can get the job done. Once that is out of the way, the dentist will take digital images of the patient's teeth. Projections of how the treatment will proceed will be developed, and once the dentist and patient are satisfied, the data is sent to a lab where the aligner trays are made.
The patient will be called in for a follow-up appointment, where the dentist will insert the first tray into the patient's teeth. The patient will be educated on how to properly take care of the aligner and their teeth, before being sent on their way.
Clear braces can be used to deal with a range of orthodontic issues like crooked and misaligned teeth. Treatment periods range from six months to two years.
What makes clear aligners better than traditional braces
Clear aligners provide many benefits that traditional braces do not. It is not only the more obvious ones, like not having to deal with a mouth full of metal. Clear braces can also be easily removed and reinserted, unlike traditional braces, which require a dentist to take them off. It means the wearer can easily take the device out for meals or to clean their mouth.
With traditional braces, patients often have to deal with food particles getting stuck underneath the wires and in the brackets. That makes them more vulnerable to tooth decay since the food particles lodged there can be converted into acids by the bacteria in the mouth.
People who opt for clear braces do not have to deal with all that. They simply remove the device and enjoy any foods they want. The most noteworthy benefit of clear braces is the fact patients get to enjoy all these benefits while spending less or about the same amount it costs to get metal braces.
Call (301) 485-7492 today to reach Gateway Dental Dr. William Swann DDS.
Check out what others are saying about our clear aligners on Yelp: Clear Aligners.
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