If you are considering clear aligners to straighten your teeth, you are not alone. A lot of people are choosing this option because it is a more discreet way to achieve the smile they want. Learn about the benefits, process, and results of this popular orthodontic treatment. Read our article “Clear Aligners – Before and After” and say hello to a confident smile.
What Should You Expect from Aligners?
Aligners are a viable option to straighten your teeth without having to use braces. They provide an easy and effective way of realigning your teeth through frequent, small adjustments.
Aligners are designed to be comfortable, discreet, and transparent, they look like a part of your natural smile. With aligners, you can expect fewer appointments and more convenience as there is no need for uncomfortable wire adjustments.
Every two weeks you will switch to a new aligner that has been custom fitted for your teeth so that their overall shape improves and the desired alignment is achieved.
Aligners require good discipline for them to be effective so you must wear them for every day of your treatment period as recommended by your orthodontist.
How do Aligners Work?
For straightening teeth, aligners offer a non-invasive treatment option to braces and other systems. The primary benefit of using custom-made aligners is that rather than individual wires and brackets affecting one tooth at a time, the aligners provide a single force point that works on multiple teeth simultaneously.
These clear aligners are comfortable and easy to wear, with a smooth surface that avoids irritation or injury to the delicate tissue of the mouth. The patient wears each set of aligners for two weeks before progressing onto the next set as directed by their orthodontist; this process is continued until desired results have been achieved. Aligners will need to be worn for 20-22 hours each day of treatment to be effective.
Each additional aligner will bring the patient closer and closer to their preferred look without requiring complicated maintenance or sacrificing comfort. Aligners work around your schedule, providing you with more flexibility than traditional braces while still offering lasting effects.
See our article: Invisible Braces – How They Work?
What Malocclusions do Aligners Treat?
Open Bite
Teeth Open Bite is a dental malocclusion that occurs when the teeth do not necessarily meet in a normal fashion. This can cause issues for individuals because, without proper dental care, it can lead to premature wear and damage of the enamel on their teeth as well as tooth decay.
In mild cases, this condition can usually be treated by simply wearing an orthodontic device or retainer; however, more serious cases may require some form of corrective surgery or even jaw repositioning.
It is important to have a proper diagnosis and treatment plan customized to suit your individual needs created by an orthodontist to ensure your teeth are properly aligned.
Overbite
Teeth overbite, or buck teeth as it is known, is an orthodontic condition in which the upper teeth project outwards and overlap the lower teeth. It is one of the most common types of malocclusion and can cause a range of issues with speech, chewing, and aesthetics.
Overbite can be caused by a genetic predisposition or from thumbsucking, so it is important to identify any potential risks early in life. Fortunately, there are several treatments available to address this condition, such as clear aligners, that can correct the alignment of your teeth and restore proper function while improving their appearance.
See our article: Overbite Face Shape.
Crossbite
Teeth crossbite is a dental anomaly that occurs when the upper and lower teeth don’t line up correctly. This misalignment can be caused by genetics, dental habits, or improper jaw growth.
Most commonly, the lower front teeth rest inside of their counterparts, the upper front teeth, instead of outside them. If left untreated, this condition can cause physical suffering such as jaw muscle spasms and headaches. It can also affect a person’s speech and chewing abilities.
To address this issue, an orthodontist creates appliances such as braces, aligners and retainers to align the bite while promoting healthy jaw growth, giving the patient renewed comfort in their smile.
Spacing
Teeth spacing can be an issue for individuals when gaps are too wide, the teeth are overcrowded, or the alignment is not ideal. This issue can cause a person to feel self-conscious about their smile and affect their level of confidence.
Teeth spacing may also contribute to potential dental health problems that can arise from misalignments such as uneven wear, jaw pain, headaches, and periodontal disease.
With treatment, it is possible to create a beautiful corrected smile which could have lasting effects on an individual’s well-being and self-esteem through improved oral health and aesthetics.
Crowding
Teeth crowding occurs when the teeth in the jaw do not have enough space to grow straight. Each tooth is still centered, but they can overlap and even twist when placed too closely together.
Crowding is generally caused by genetics or a poorly sized mouth; if the size of the mouth does not conform to a regular adult tooth size, overcrowding could occur. Teeth crowding can be uncomfortable, and make brushing more difficult since it is harder to reach tight spaces.
If left untreated, it can potentially lead to speech impediments and difficulty breaking down food properly during digestion.
See our article: How to Fix a Snaggletooth?
How Long Does Treatment Last?
Wearing aligners typically requires orthodontic treatment for anywhere from six months for mild cases to eighteen months for more complex issues, although the exact amount of time varies depending on the individual’s specific needs.
As a guideline, adults should expect to wear their aligners between 20 and 22 hours per day to achieve optimal results promptly. Although the length of treatment can vary greatly, most patients begin to see noticeable improvements after just one month of wearing aligners.
See our article: Quickest Way to Straighten Teeth.
Clear Aligners Before and After
It’s amazing to witness the transformation that clear aligners can produce. Before and after images of patients undergoing clear aligner treatment show remarkable improvements in their overall alignment.
Not only are issues such as overcrowding, gaps, or misalignment corrected but there is often an accompanying boost in self-confidence in looking better and feeling more confident in less obvious ways.
Clear aligners have been highly effective in providing quick and discreet answers to smile confidence issues and are also an affordable and efficient route to straighten teeth, making them the preferred choice for millions seeking a new and improved smile all over the world.
See some reviews of the best clear aligners available here:
SmileDirectClub Review – A popular choice with a lifetime guarantee and free one-time replacement makes this product a great choice.
Byte Review – The top pick these affordable aligners have a lifetime guarantee and come with free accessories.
Candid Review – The most similar product to Invisalign aligners this product is great for mild to severe teeth spacing issues and a Candid orthodontist is assigned to your case throughout the treatment.
NewSmile Review – A low-cost option but with premium aesthetics, this product comes with a teeth whitening kit and a free retainer.
ALIGNERCO – The cheapest at-home aligner products with 24/7 live support and a monthly payment plan with no down payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Aligners Worth it?
Designed to help straighten teeth without the necessity of extra appointments, cumbersome wires, or brackets, aligners are also virtually invisible when worn and can be removed for eating or cleaning, allowing you to maintain your regular oral hygiene routine with ease.
An article on the Bupa Healthcare website states that clear aligners are more comfortable and flexible than traditional braces. They are also removable so you will find it much easier to eat and brush your teeth normally during treatment.
Aligners are definitely worth using if you want straighter teeth with lower maintenance, fewer appointments and a more normal appearance during treatment.
How Long Do You Have to Wear Aligners to See Results?
The length of time they need to be worn depends on your circumstances but generally, it is between 6-18 months. During treatment, you will need to wear your retainers for 20-22 hours each day to get the desired results.
