A study of Canadian oral health found that while many people believe a healthy smile is important, only four percent of people follow the oral care recommendations given to them by their dentist. However, even flossing and brushing your teeth will not be able to improve crooked or gapped teeth. One common teeth straightening treatment that can help uses clear aligners to gradually shift your teeth back into place. Do you want to learn how clear aligners can help you improve these aspects of your smile? Keep reading this guide to see what to expect from clear aligners treatment.
What Are Clear Aligners?
Dentistry has evolved, creating newer and better ways to treat oral health conditions. Clear aligners are an alternative to traditional braces that are growing in popularity. While traditional braces use metal brackets and wires to shift teeth, aligners are essentially clear retainers. This means they can shift your teeth less painfully. Because they are made with clear plastic, they are essentially invisible and they will not detract from your smile. These aligners are removable, so you can eat, drink, and brush your teeth more easily. Because they are removable, you will get several sets of clear aligners throughout the process! The aligners will shift and straighten your teeth by putting gentle pressure on them. As your teeth begin to move, you will get new aligners that will continue to shift your teeth even more until you are satisfied with your smile. Because these aligners can be removed, it means that you will have no dietary restrictions and will be able to easily go about your days.
Before You Get Your Aligners
How do clear aligners work? You can get clear aligners a few different ways. First, you can meet with your dentist and they can make impressions of your teeth. Otherwise, you can get clear aligners online to make the process even easier. When you order online aligners, the first step is to create impressions of your teeth. You can do this by ordering an impression kit from an online company, taking impressions of your teeth, and sending them back to the aligner company. With these impressions, an aligner company will create a customized treatment plan using aligners.
Aligner Process
When you receive the aligners, you need to consistently wear them if you want to see results. You will get new aligners every few weeks as your teeth gradually shift. Each set of aligners only slightly differs from the next. This means they will not be too uncomfortable or painful to wear, but they will still be able to shift your teeth with the pressure. Typically, it is recommended that you wear your aligners for at least 20 hours a day. You can take them off to eat and drink, as well as to brush and floss your teeth.
After You Get Your Aligners
After you have achieved your ideal smile, you are done wearing the clear aligners. However, your teeth will still shift in your mouth. There are many causes of teeth shifting, from aging to tooth decay, and even grinding your teeth. To prevent your teeth from shifting back to their natural place, you need to wear a retainer after your teeth straightening treatment. These only need to be worn at night, but this will keep your teeth from moving around too much.
Pros of Clear Teeth Aligners
There are many pros and cons that you should consider before getting clear aligners. The biggest benefit of clear aligners is that they are removable. This makes it an easier and less painful process to straighten your teeth. You can continue eating the foods you want to and simply replace the aligners after you are done eating. Another great benefit of clear aligners is that they are nearly invisible. This means that you can straighten your teeth without anyone noticing. Pricing is another pro of clear aligners. Aligners can be less expensive than braces, depending on how long you need to use them. If you are looking for the cheapest clear aligners, you can often find options that fit your budget. Otherwise, there are many financing options available that make it easier to afford this teeth straightening treatment. Finally, aligners are a great way to straighten teeth because the treatment time is usually less than with traditional braces. Many patients get results anywhere from six months to 18 months, while braces can take much longer.
Cons of Clear Teeth Aligners
One drawback of clear aligners for teeth straightening is that it does not work for every person. Some oral health conditions are too severe to be treated with aligners. In these cases, you would meet with your orthodontist to find a different solution. Aligners also take commitment. You have to wear the aligners for 20-22 hours each day, even while you sleep. If you are not committed to wearing your aligners, you will not see results as quickly. Finally, you may experience an adjustment period when you start using aligners. While it will not be as painful as braces, it may be uncomfortable for a week or two. While there are some drawbacks of using clear aligners to straighten your teeth, the benefits usually outway these drawbacks.
Find the Best Clear Aligners Online Today
If you want a smile that is perfectly straight and aligned, a simple way to do this is with clear aligners. The overall process is quite simple and doesn't require any lengthy dentistry appointments. Are you looking to buy clear aligners online? AlignerCo can help! We offer invisible aligners that help our clients get straighter teeth in 4-6 months. Contact our team today to learn more about our clear aligners cost and more information on what to expect with clear aligners!
Canadians admit to poor oral hygiene habits despite citing a healthy-lookingsmile as a health priority. (2019b, January 29). Newswire. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canadians-admit-to-poor-oral-hygiene-habits-despite-citing-a-healthy-lookingsmile-as-a-health-priority-539575932.html Colgate. (2021b, February 24). Why Does Teeth Shifting Happen? https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/adult-orthodontics/why-does-teeth-shifting-happen
