Questions to Ask a Dentist About Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are an effective option for straightening teeth. Aligners are worn over your teeth to straighten them. Aligners are popular partly because they are almost invisible and do not draw attention to the mouth. Clear aligners could be the ideal solution if you want a straight and beautiful smile. Keep reading to learn more about aligners.

Clear aligners

Aligners are transparent in color and custom-built for a tight fit. Aligners use a series of trays to move the patient’s teeth to the desired position. One big benefit of clear aligners is they are removable, which is convenient. Removing them before eating, brushing, and flossing is usually advisable. But patients may also take them out for work, playing sports, or on social occasions. Here are some answers to some common questions about clear aligners.

What orthodontic issues can aligners fix?

Clear aligners can treat many orthodontic cases, including crowded or crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, open bites, and diastema. Sometimes, these issues can cause other oral health problems. For instance, it is usually hard to clean between the teeth when it comes to crooked and crowded teeth. This can result in tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Crooked teeth can also strain a person’s teeth, jaws, and muscles. This, in turn, increases the risk of breaking a tooth.

Moreover, crooked, misaligned teeth can also interfere with chewing and speaking. Sometimes, it is better to treat orthodontic problems when all the permanent teeth have come in. However, early treatment is recommended if the problem is one that could end up becoming more severe if left untreated. It is important to note that clear aligners are meant for mild to moderate issues. Clear aligners are not ideal for severe tooth alignment correction.

How do aligners work?

First, patients visit an orthodontics provider for a consultation. An orthodontist will examine the teeth during the appointment and then take a digital mouth scan. The 3D scan will help to plan out the course of treatment. After a while, the clear aligners will be sent to the orthodontist, and eventually, the appliances will be delivered to the patient.

Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks or as recommended, and then it is replaced with the next set. With each new set, the teeth move slowly toward the ideal final position. People must wear them for the required amount of time every day. Treatment length varies depending on a patient’s needs. It is usually based on how much the teeth need to be moved or rotated.