Clear aligner therapy: what you need to know

People who get braces always face a conundrum: sure, they may end up with a perfectly aligned smile at the end of the process, but what about the time while you’re wearing the braces? Those metal bars are not attractive at all. That’s where clear aligner therapy might come in.

What are clear aligners?

In short, a clear aligner is an alternative to the metal braces that are traditionally used to straighten crooked teeth that achieve the same result, but “invisibly”. They are simple to use, time efficient, and cost effective, and so, in many cases they are a superior and preferable to traditional metal brackets, though there are some cases where they won’t be applicable.

The process of using clear aligners happens over a number of stages:

1. The consultation. Here, your friendly Parra Dental dentist will determine whether a clear aligner can work for you.
2. Scan. If a clear aligner is an option, the next step is to take a digital scan of your teeth. This scan (which is completely digital and non-invasive) will be used to design the smile you’ll have at the end of the process.
3. The treatment is determined and the clear aligners will be manufactured to suit the end goal. Every clear aligner needs to be manufacturer to suit your specific smile and end-goal.
4. Now, you just need to wear the aligners! A course involves wearing the clear aligners for two weeks at a time, with your dentist checking in every six weeks or so to make sure the procedure is on track. The treatment can take as short as 6 months and anywhere up to 2 years to complete.
5. You’re all done! With the completion of the last two-week session, we will bond a fixed retainer behind your front teeth when they’re perfectly aligned. And we won’t need to see you until your next 6 monthly check up to maintain a healthy happy smile.

Are there any downsides?

Not really! Clear aligners are more comfortable in the mouth, harder to see at a casual glance, and much easier to maintain. The only real downside is if you forget to use them for whatever reason, the good work can be undone quickly.

Despite that, most people much prefer the convenience and aesthetics of clear aligners. If this is something you’d like to investigate for your own teeth, contact your dentist today to get the consultation process started.