Clear Aligners: What Are They and How Do They Work?

Misaligned teeth not only affect your smile and appearance but also can damage the dental structure. An uneven bite can make it hard to chew food properly and also puts pressure on your jaw and cause problems like TMJ. Fixing these orthodontic problems is crucial to your oral health and jaw integrity. Fortunately, we have several orthodontic devices that you can use to help in repositioning your teeth.

In the past, traditional braces were the only treatment of choice. But, these devices are a bit inconvenient for adults as they are fixed and have visible wires. Today, however, we have clear aligners that are not only removable but are invisible too.

These invisible braces work similarly to the traditional braces without the inconvenience of the wires on the brace. But, before you can get the clear aligners near you, it is important to what they are and how they work.

What Are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners are made of a thermoplastic material that can be customized to fit your teeth and gums. These invisible braces are removable and are designed to correct mild to moderate orthodontic problems. 

Invisible braces are mostly recommended for adults and teenagers. This is because these devices require high standards of hygiene and discipline for them to work. Also, orthodontic treatment is not recommended for children because their jaw and teeth are still developing and it may damage them.

What Are the Common Clear Aligner Options?

We have several types of clear aligners in Rancho Santa Margarita that you can use. The most common types are Invisalign® and ClearCorrect®. These two braces differ a little bit when it comes to the treatment. 

Both Invisalign and ClearCorrect are made of plastic material that can be easily manipulated to fit your teeth and gums. However, these two differ when it comes to thickness and cost. The ClearCorrect is a bit thinner compared to the Invisalign aligners and this makes it more comfortable and invisible.

The cost of these two types of clear aligners is almost the same and several insurance plans cover the part of the cost. It is important to consult a dentist near you on the differences between these two aligners.

How Do the Aligners Work?

These invisible braces work the same and follow almost a similar procedure.

Evaluation and planning

Our dentist Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, will begin the process with a comprehensive examination and evaluation of the jaw and bite problems. The dentist 92688 will use a 3D dental scan to get a precise image of the jaw. He may also use software to determine the pressure and the time needed to reposition the teeth.

The cosmetic dentist near me will also give you’re a glimpse of the clear aligners before and after pictures and what you can expect during the procedure.

Treatment process 

The dentist will send the 3D digital scans to the lab to create a series of braces to correct the alignment. The dentist will give a set of aligners that will gradually move the teeth. You are required to wear a set of Invisalign and ClearCorrect aligners for 22 hours daily, 14 to 21 days a week respectively.

Although the treatment is done at home, you will need to visit the dentist regularly for monitoring the progress of the treatment.

Since the clear aligners correct mild to moderate orthodontic problems, the treatment process can last for about 6 to 18 months. If you have a severe bite and jaw problems, the dentist will recommend traditional braces or other orthodontic treatment.

After the treatment 

After the teeth have realigned, the dentist will give you a retainer device that works to hold the teeth in position and prevent them from reverting.

You are required to wear the retainer for 24 hours in the first few days, and at night after that. The dentist will give you instructions on how to wear the retainer and the duration.

How Can You Maintain the Braces Clean?

Clear aligners require high dental hygiene practices. Make sure you clean the aligners every day and before wearing them. Also, ensure you wear the braces for the recommended time and remove them when you are eating.



Schedule an Appointment

Visit Jordan and Pham Dentistry for more information on Clear aligners and how they work.