What should I know about clear aligners?
Clear aligners are removable clear appliances that straighten your teeth just like braces do, only without the metal and wires. These aligners are made of a transparent plastic material, making them look nearly 'invisible' when worn.
Before you make your final decision on what appliance to get to straighten your teeth, our Calgary dentists would like to share some things you might want to factor into this important choice. We love helping our patients make informed choices, so here are some things you should know about clear aligners.
Clear aligners are a low profile option many patients appreciate.
When a patient gets clear aligners, they are custom-made to precisely fit their teeth, gradually moving them into their proper positions over a period of time prescribed by your dentist.
As the name suggests, these aligners are clear, virtually invisible on your teeth to the casual observer. For this reason, they may be preferable to metal braces for people who are concerned with how their teeth will look while they undergo orthodontic treatment.
Clear aligners treat many dental issues quickly and efficiently.
You will typically start to see results of treatment within a few months as your teeth begin to straighten, though each case is unique and time periods could vary.
With your hard work to stay on track and excellent at-home oral hygiene, in addition to check-in visits to your dentist, you will be able to see and feel the difference in your mouth.
Consider how quickly you’ll need to eat and drink.
For your clear aligners to have the intended effect, you’ll need to wear them for about 22 hours per day.
That means all your eating and drinking will need to fit within an approximately two-hour time slot. While this may seem daunting at first, you may soon see some side benefits. For instance, you can say goodbye to mindless snacking (and the impact it can have on your waistline).
Don’t be surprised if your teeth feel loose.
Because your clear aligners will be gradually straightening misaligned teeth, your teeth may feel a little loose when the aligners are removed. Not to worry - this is completely normal as your teeth move and realign to their new positions.
You’ll need to be diligent about brushing and flossing.
Each time you remove your aligners to eat or drink, you should brush and floss before putting them back on. This is important because food particles can become trapped between your teeth and the aligners, which would be uncomfortable and bad for your teeth. It can also cause your aligners to turn yellow - yuck!
Make sure to properly and thoroughly clean your aligners.
Just like your teeth need to be cleaned each time you eat or drink, you’ll need to clean your aligners as well. You shouldn’t use toothpaste to clean them, as it contains abrasive ingredients that can scratch your aligners. Instead, clean them with clear aligner cleaning crystals, denture cleaner, or Retainer Brite.
You may want to remove and place your aligners in private.
Because your aligners fit your teeth so precisely, you may find it challenging to remove them and pop them in again when you’re done eating or drinking. For this reason, you may be more comfortable doing this in a restroom, especially at first.
Don’t count yourself out.
Patients who come to us asking about clear aligners often wonder whether they’d be a candidate. The only way to find out is to ask and visit your dentist for a consultation.
Depending on which clear aligners you’re considering, they can be used to fix a variety of issues, from gapped, crowded or crooked teeth to overbite and crossbite. We would be happy to assess your smile and help you find out if you’re a candidate for treatment with clear aligners.
Wearing a retainer will be important following treatment.
The orthodontic treatment you choose may not be quite finished after you wear the entire series of clear aligners as prescribed by your dentist. Wearing a retainer after the main course of your treatment will help to ensure your straight smile stays in place!
We’re here to support you.
Though choosing clear aligners may come with its challenges, we’re here to support you 100% through any questions or concerns you may have. You’ll have our dental team just a phone call away to provide answers or advice. And in the end – you’ll have a healthier, straighter smile.
