Clear Aligners
What are clear aligners?
Step-by-Step (What to Expect Getting Aligners):
1. Initial Consultation and Scans: First, we evaluate your teeth and bite to determine if clear aligners are suitable for your case. We’ll take dental impressions or a digital scan of your teeth, as well as photographs and X-rays as needed. These records are sent to the aligner laboratory (like Align Technology for Invisalign) where a 3D model of your teeth is created. We work together (with computer modeling) to design a treatment plan – this is a digital simulation showing how your teeth will move with each aligner and what the final result should look like. We’ll show you this “ClinCheck” or similar digital preview for approval.
2. Custom Aligner Fabrication: Once the plan is approved, a series of custom aligners is manufactured specifically for your teeth and treatment steps. The number of aligners varies based on complexity – it could be anywhere from 5 aligners for very minor adjustments to 30+ for more comprehensive movement, sometimes given in phases. This means treatment might range from a few months to 18+ months depending on needs. Each aligner is slightly different, progressing your teeth’s positions gradually.
3. Aligner Delivery and Instructions: When the aligners arrive (usually a few weeks after records), you’ll come in for a fitting. We may need to prepare your teeth in small ways: often, attachments (tiny tooth- colored bumps of composite) are placed on certain teeth to give the aligners better grip for specific movements. We might also perform some IPR (Interproximal Reduction) – lightly polishing between some teeth to create very small space if needed for alignment (this is minimal and only if needed). We then fit your first aligner, ensure it snaps on well, and show you how to put it on and take it off properly. We’ll provide several sets of aligners at a time and instructions on how long to wear each (commonly 22+ hours a day, changing to the next set every 1-2 weeks). You must wear them all day and night, removing only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene.
4. Follow-Up Visits: Approximately every 4-6 weeks, you’ll have a short visit so we can check your progress. We’ll ensure your teeth are tracking according to plan (sometimes we might do a little more IPR or adjust attachments if needed). You’ll receive your next series of aligners at these visits. It’s important to bring your current aligners and possibly previous ones to appointments. If an aligner is not fitting properly, we address it then. Patients who are compliant often sail through, but if some teeth lag, we might extend wear time or do some corrections.
5. Completion and Retention: Once you finish the last aligner, we assess if the outcome matches the goal. Often, a refinement (additional minor adjustments with a few more aligners) might be needed to perfect the bite or certain tooth positions – that involves new scans and a few more aligners, usually included as part of treatment. When you and the doctor are happy with the result, we move to the retention phase. You’ll need a retainer (often looks like a final aligner or could be a different material) to keep your teeth in their new positions. We may give you clear retainers to wear nightly and/or consider a fixed retainer (a small wire bonded behind front teeth) for long-term stability. We’ll discuss retainer options and schedule you for retainer checks. Remember, retention is for life – wearing retainers as instructed is crucial to prevent relapse (teeth shifting back).
Key Benefits of Aligners
– Nearly Invisible and Aesthetic: Clear aligners are transparent and very hard to notice when worn. People can often go through treatment without most coworkers or acquaintances realizing it. This is a big plus for adults or self-conscious teens who want to avoid the look of metal braces. It allows you to straighten your teeth without the obvious “brace face” appearance, which can be important in professional settings or social situations.
– Removable and Convenient: Aligners can be taken out for eating, so there are no dietary restrictions unlike with braces (where sticky or hard foods can be a problem). You can eat all your favorite foods (just remember to brush before putting aligners back in). Oral hygiene is also easier – you simply remove the trays and brush and floss normally, so you can maintain better gum health and cleanliness during treatment compared to maneuvering around braces. Also, for short periods (like a big presentation or ceremony), you could remove aligners – though we emphasize keeping them out only briefly – but that flexibility is there.
– More Comfortable and Safe: Aligners are generally more comfortable than braces. There are no brackets or wires to poke your cheeks or tongue, which means fewer mouth sores. The plastic is smooth. Initially, you’ll feel pressure and maybe slight soreness as teeth move, but it’s usually mild and each new aligner’s pressure fades after a day or two. There’s no risk of cutting your mouth or dealing with broken brackets wires in emergencies – fewer emergency visits are typically needed. Also, aligners cover teeth fully, which can offer some protection from grinding or sports (though not a substitute for a sports mouthguard because they aren’t as thick).
– Predictable Gradual Movement: With the computerized treatment planning, each tooth’s movement is visualized and sequenced. This often results in highly controlled, gentle movements. You typically change aligners every one or two weeks, which means each step is small – reducing discomfort and focusing force where needed. Many patients love seeing their teeth gradually improve almost week by week. You can even refer to your digital plan to know what changes are coming. Also, fewer in-office adjustments are needed; no wire tightening appointments, mostly quick progress checks.
– Improved Oral Health During and After: Straighter teeth are easier to clean, reducing risk of cavities and gum disease long-term. Even during treatment, since you can brush and floss normally, you often maintain better oral health. Additionally, aligners can help correct bite issues (like mild overbite or spacing) which can lead to improved function and distribution of forces when chewing. That can alleviate abnormal wear or certain jaw issues. Some patients also notice less clenching or better breathing if alignment was impacting those aspects. Overall, beyond cosmetics, properly aligned teeth contribute to healthier gums and joints.
Common Risks or Side Effects
– Discomfort and Soreness: While aligners are generally comfortable, you will experience pressure on your teeth, especially with each new tray. This pressure is what moves the teeth, and can make your teeth feel sore or achy for a day or two (similar to how braces adjustments feel). It’s usually mild to moderate and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers if needed (ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Some people also feel transient tenderness in their jaw or a slight headache when adjusting to a new set. Additionally, the aligners might initially affect your speech slightly; you may lisp for a day or so until your tongue adapts to the presence of the trays. This is typically short-lived.
– Compliance is Crucial: A big risk factor is not wearing the aligners as prescribed. They typically need to be in at least 20-22 hours per day. If you don’t wear them enough, teeth won’t move as planned, and your next aligners may not fit. This can prolong treatment or derail it. Losing aligners or frequently forgetting to put them back after meals can set you back. Aligners also can warp if exposed to heat – so only use cool or lukewarm water to rinse, never hot. If a patient isn’t disciplined, aligner therapy may fail where braces (which are fixed on teeth) would have succeeded due to forced compliance. So, personal responsibility is key; we emphasize this strongly.
– Potential Attachments and Visibility: Some patients think aligners are completely invisible, but note that many cases require tooth-colored attachments on the teeth (small bumps) which can be slightly visible up close. They are matched to tooth color but can still catch light or make the aligner bulge a bit. Also, if you have elastic bands for bite correction, there will be little hooks and the rubber bands can be seen. Still vastly less noticeable than braces, but not 100% undetectable in some cases. When attachments are removed at the end, they generally don’t damage teeth (we polish the composite off), but there’s a minor risk of enamel scratches if not done carefully (we do it carefully!).
– Aligner Misplacement or Damage: Aligners are removable, so they can be lost or broken. Pets (especially dogs) love to chew on them if found. If you misplace a tray, it can halt progress; we might need to have you wear the previous tray or jump to the next, or order a replacement (which can cost a fee and take time). Also, if not cleaned properly, aligners can develop odor or discoloration. You must keep them clean (rinse often, brush them gently daily, and use cleaning crystals or solutions as directed). Neglecting hygiene could lead to plaque or cavities on your teeth, since aligners can trap liquids against your teeth – which is why we say no sugary or acidic drinks with aligners in. Always remove them to eat or drink anything other than water, and brush before putting them back.
– Not for Every Case / Limitations: Clear aligners are great for many mild to moderate orthodontic issues, but they have limitations. Complex movements like severe rotations, large vertical movements, or correcting big jaw discrepancies might be less predictably done with aligners alone. Sometimes mid-course, we might see a tooth not tracking well and have to do a mid-treatment correction (e.g., add a new attachment, do some IPR, or even use a brief phase of braces on one or two stubborn teeth if absolutely necessary – though rare). In some cases, especially involving bite changes, results may not be as perfect as with braces unless patient compliance is 100%. We try to evaluate upfront; if something is not ideal for aligners, we will have pointed it out. But a risk is that you might need additional refinement or even adjunctive treatment to get the ideal outcome if aligners alone fall short in some aspect. We will, however, do everything possible with the aligner system (refinements are common and included) to reach the goals.
– Minor Side Effects: Some patients experience dry mouth or excess salivation at first with aligners – your mouth is adjusting to having a foreign object. Stay hydrated; this usually normalizes. Occasionally, an aligner edge may rub or cause an ulcer on the tongue/cheek – if so, we can smooth the edge or you can use orthodontic wax or a nail file gently to soften that spot. TMJ discomfort can happen if the bite changes or if you have to posture differently; we monitor that, but aligners often alleviate TMJ issues in some, or occasionally transiently aggravate them in others. We’ll adjust if any issue arises. Also note, if you don’t keep aligners and teeth clean, tooth decay or gum issues could occur – but that’s user-dependent risk. In fact, aligner patients often improve hygiene because they have to brush more often.