Clear aligner treatment has been around for decades and continues to grow in popularity amongst dental patients young and old. While most know clear aligners to be an alternative to traditional braces, many still have lots of unanswered questions about it.
How do they work? Who is a good candidate for the treatment? And, how long will the aligners need to be worn? All of these questions and more are answered below.
1. How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Clear Aligners offers orthodontic aligners made with a clear, soft plastic. They are custom-designed to slowly shift your teeth and transform your smile. Using 3D technology, dentists can create a roadmap to better alignment — and, in turn, a series of aligners are made.
Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before it is replaced with the next one in succession.
2. What Conditions Do Clear Aligners Treat?
Clear Aligners treat mild to moderate orthodontic issues, including misaligned bites, overcrowding, crooked teeth, gaps, and the like. It is often used in cosmetic dentistry to remove any flaws within the teeth, too.
3. Am I A Candidate for Clear Aligners?
Most patients needing some sort of cosmetic or orthodontic care are candidates for clear aligner treatment. Those who have dental implants, bridges, teeth erosion, or smaller-than-average teeth may need to seek alternative treatment.
During your consultation for Clear Aligners, your dentist will confirm whether or not you are an ideal candidate for treatment.
4. Do Clear Aligners Work as Well as Traditional Braces?
Yes! Clear Aligners work as well as traditional braces— maybe even better. They both offer a very different, yet effective, approach to fixing orthodontic concerns in about the same amount of time.
5. What is the Cost of Clear Aligner Therapy?
The cost of Clear Aligners will depend on your need and how many aligners are required. Typically, the longer the treatment, the greater the cost. On average, you can expect to pay between $3,000 and $7,000 for Clear Aligner Therapy. Keep in mind that this is a very general idea and it is best to get a personalized estimate from your dentist.
6. How Long Does Clear Aligner Treatment Take?
The amount of time Clear Aligner treatment will take also varies. Mild treatment can be completed in as little as 6 months whereas more complex treatments could last anywhere from 12 to 18 months or longer.
7. Will I Still Need to Visit the Dentist?
Routine dental visits throughout treatment will allow your dentist to ensure your teeth are shifting as they should and that everything is lined up for a successful outcome.
8. Are there any Food Restrictions with Clear Aligners?
One of the most enticing things about clear aligners is that they can be removed. This means that there are no food restrictions. Unlike traditional braces, you don’t have to worry about dealing with any permanent hardware in your mouth, requiring that you stay away from hard foods, chewy foods, etc.
Enjoy anything you’d like with Clear Aligner Therapy — just take out your aligners and store them in a safe place before eating.
9. How Do I Clean My Aligners?
Your aligners can be cleaned by brushing them when you brush your teeth. Cleaning them or rinsing them throughout the day after you have eaten is always a good idea, too.
If interested, some companies offer a cleansing solution that you can purchase or you can use any retainer cleanser.
10. What Happens if I Lose or Break an Aligner?
Each of your aligners is part of a series. Losing or breaking one can throw off your entire treatment. If you find yourself in this situation, contact your dental office right away. Do not move forward with the next tray unless advised to do so by your dentist.
A replacement aligner can be created, but it may come with an extra fee.
Learn More About Clear Aligner Treatment
Do you still have questions? Are Clear Aligners right for you? Our team at Sachi & Co. Dentistry have a lot of experience in creating these clear aligners and transforming smiles. It feels good to get this transformative treatment from a team you know and trust!
Call 310-530-9893 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.