While many people tend to think of braces when talking about orthodontists and tooth correction, there are multiple solutions for aligning the teeth to get the perfect smile. Whether you are hoping to find the affordable solutions than the current cost for braces, an easier regimen for reshaping your teeth or a method that does not visibly interfere with your smile while correcting it, Invisible aligners may be the solution you have been looking for.
We have compiled everything you need to know about what actually teeth aligners are, how they work and what you can expect when using them below.
What are Teeth Aligners?
Teeth aligners, or invisible aligners, are specially handcrafted moulds that fit around your teeth to work as much as braces do. While braces use brackets and wires to mould bone and reshape smiles, invisible aligners use clear, flexible plastic to do the same thing.
Also unlike braces, invisible aligners don’t use cementing or bonding to secure your teeth — they’re completely removable. Many people enjoy invisible aligners for the freedom to enjoy special occasions without even worrying about the appearance of braces, but it also means they don’t have to deal with the hassle of tooth correction while eating and brushing or flossing teeth.
Can Anyone Use Invisible Aligners?
Braces are a personal matter that varies from person to person. That being said, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind when considering whether invisible aligners may be the way to go or not. While clear aligners can fix severe underbite and overbite in adults, children may require more complex treatment from orthodontists or dentists when it comes to severe teeth straightening. For less severe cases, clear aligners can be a great option for children.
Adults who need mild and general corrections to their teeth, however, can greatly benefit from the use of invisible aligners. Not only will invisible aligners make it easier to maintain oral health: they’re also specially designed and crafted to make customized corrections.
How do Invisible Aligners Straighten Teeth?
Invisible aligners use plastic to apply carefully controlled, constant pressure to teeth that can ultimately slip them into a more desirable shape. This is done by first obtaining an impression of a client’s teeth. We make this first step very simple with our impression kit, which you can use to take impressions at your home with easy to understand instructions and send them to our team.
From there, our specialized team of dental experts use cutting-edge software to develop a plan that will ultimately give your teeth the ideal smile you’re looking to achieve. The invisible aligners are then created based on the plan and your impressions and sent to you. As you wear each pair for the appropriate amount of time, your teeth will ultimately take the desired shape.
How to Maintain Invisible Aligners?
While invisible aligners can easily be removed for you to brush and floss your teeth, they still require proper care to perform well. Without daily cleaning, bacteria can collect on the aligners and become a problem. In order to avoid this, follow these simple steps:
- Clean aligners with gentle dish soap: toothpaste can scratch the plastic and leave extra niches for bacteria to collect.
- Use lukewarm water, not hot water to wash aligners. Excess heat can warp the plastic and cause it to become unusable.
- Avoid bleach and other strong chemicals, as they can affect the plastic negatively.
What to Expect When Using Invisible Aligners
While invisible aligners work to shape your teeth, you might experience residual soreness or discomfort. This is a completely normal part of the process and can mean that the aligners are doing their job in shaping your teeth. To avoid excess discomfort, there are a few methods you can try:
- Dental Wax: Slipping some dental wax between your teeth and the clear aligners can help cushion your teeth as they acclimate to new aligners.
- Ice Packs: The cold can help numb oral pain, and maybe just what you need when you feel discomfort.
- OTC Pain Killers: A simple OTC analgesic can help you continue to wear aligners despite the mild pain, which should subside in two to three days after using new aligners. Stopping to wear the aligners at any point in the process only makes it harder to put aligners back in.
Save on Teeth Aligners Today
Want to try ways to straighten teeth besides braces? Take a look at our invisible aligners today to get applications designed by a team of dental experts for a better smile. Not only will you avoid visits to the clinic — you’ll also be spending up to 65% less than other leading brands for invisible aligners.
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