Clear aligners provide a discreet solution for adjusting crooked and crowded teeth. They are less noticeable than traditional braces and can be removed to eat, brush, and floss more easily. Here’s how aligners help straighten your teeth and enhance your smile’s physical appearance:
Understanding Clear Aligners
As their name implies, clear aligners are dental appliances made from a transparent material. They work by gradually shifting the teeth into their correct positions through a series of plastic trays. Cosmetic dentists custom-make these trays to fit snuggly over your teeth, providing a smooth fit. Upon wearing them, the aligners put mild pressure on the roots of your teeth to move them into their proper positions. Your dentist will check your progress periodically and help you transition to new sets of aligners. This process can take up to 12 months, depending on the level of treatment required. Wearing the aligners for 22 hours each day may help quicken treatment.
Oral Imperfections Corrected by Clear Aligners
Transparent aligners are effective for treating various oral imperfections, including spacing and bite issues. While these aligners are effective for many orthodontic issues, they may not be suitable for severe cases that require more complex dental work. This can include severe bite problems or tooth extraction needs. Here are several issues oral aligners can correct:
Crooked Teeth
Crooked teeth create inaccessible spots where plaque and tartar accumulate, increasing the risk of cavities and tooth decay. A cosmetic dentist will evaluate the severity of the crooked teeth and take digital scans of your mouth. Using this data, they will develop a personalized treatment plan to straighten the crooked teeth over time.
Crowded Teeth
Teeth crowding can occur when there is insufficient space in the jaw for all the teeth to align properly. This leaves little to no space between them. The teeth may press against each other and start to shift, resulting in overlapping teeth. Your orthodontist will custom-design aligners that straighten out your teeth and create spaces between them.
Bite Problems
Clear aligners can help correct bite issues, including underbites, overbites, and crossbites. These bite problems make your lower and upper teeth overlap with each other. Failure to fix them can result in jaw pain and excessive wear on your teeth. Wearing aligners will gradually shift the affected teeth into the desired position, allowing your upper and lower teeth to close correctly. When it comes to severe bite problems, your orthodontist may recommend aligners combined with surgery.
Gaps or Spaces
You can benefit from oral aligners if you have visible gaps between your teeth. Gaps and spacing issues can result from missing or oddly shaped teeth. Aligners exert pressure on these teeth, helping them move closer together to fill the gaps. Your orthodontist might also recommend retainers to keep your teeth held close together after treatment.
Treating Oral Imperfections With Clear Aligners
With oral aligners, you can adjust the positioning of your teeth to create a straighter, more aligned smile. Correcting oral imperfections with aligners can also help improve your oral health, as proper alignment allows for more effective brushing and flossing. Contact an experienced cosmetic dentist today to determine if clear aligners are suitable for you.
