How Do Clear Aligners Work for Teeth Straightening?

Clear aligners are a discreet teeth straightening treatment option that involves custom-fit transparent trays that pull teeth into an ideal position. It is a great way to improve the attractiveness of your smile and fix issues such as crooked teeth, overcrowding, gaps between teeth, protruding teeth and bite complications. 

How the clear aligners treatment process works

Patients who know more about the treatment process often feel more comfortable when visiting the dentist for clear aligners. This review offers insights into the step-by-step process most dentists use when treating patients with clear aligners. 

The consultation visit

The consultation visit refers to the patient’s first visit with the dental professional. This visit is designed to determine if the patient is a good candidate for treatment, put together a treatment plan and educate the patient about clear aligners. During the visit, the dental professional recommends any necessary dental treatment that is necessary before clear aligners, such as cavity fillings, tooth extraction and periodontal disease treatment. Once the patient is ready for treatment, the dentist takes a dental impression, which is used to customize the clear aligners. 

Wearing the clear aligners

Once the clear aligners are customized and sent back to the dentist, the patient can begin wearing them. They should fit easily over teeth, and they slowly pull and push teeth into the proper position, which may cause some slight discomfort. The patient receives new aligners every one or two weeks. The aligners should be worn between 20 and 22 hours each day for optimal results. The treatment takes between six months and two years, and the dental professional who offers treatment oversees the entire treatment process. 

After clear aligners treatment

Once the patient reaches the ideal jaw and teeth alignment, treatment with clear aligners is complete. However, teeth may shift back into their original position, which is why wearing a retainer is important. The dentist provides detailed instructions for retainer wear, which may involve wearing the retainer for the majority of the day for several months, after which they may only need to wear the retainer while sleeping. Additional dental work is often encouraged after treatment as well, such as teeth cleaning and whitening. 

When to consider clear aligners

Clear aligners are ideal for fixing minor to moderate concerns of crooked teeth, overcrowding and gaps between teeth. In general, any person who is not happy with the appearance of their smile and wants to achieve straighter teeth should consider clear aligners as a treatment option. Patients who have oral health concerns such as weakened enamel or gum disease may need certain treatments before beginning clear aligners, which the dental professional offering clear aligners can include in the treatment plan. 

Schedule your first visit and start the clear aligners process

You can start the clear aligners process with a simple phone call to arrange a visit with our dentistry. During the visit, we answer your questions and put together a treatment plan. If you are considering clear aligners to achieve a better smile, call our friendly dental team today. 

Are you considering clear aligners in the La Jolla area? Get more information at https://www.lajolladentalgroup.com.

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