Clear Aligners

What are Clear Aligners?

Instead of relying on metal brackets and wires to move teeth, Clear Aligners use a series of clear aligners to move teeth into place. The aligners are made of a clear and comfortable plastic that looks similar to a full retainer. By taking care of them and refraining from scratching their surface, aligners will remain clear and virtually invisible when worn.

The aligners are created using a digital or hard impression of your teeth and gums. Once received, the lab will create a series of aligners that start with the current position of your teeth and slowly move them until they are perfectly straight. A patient will wear each aligner for about 2 weeks. Afterward, the patient will replace the old aligner with the next one in the series. The aligners place pressure on specific teeth to gradually move the teeth for a more comfortable experience. By wearing all of the aligners in the series, your teeth will move from crooked to perfectly straight.

Clear Aligners vs. Traditional Braces

Traditional metal braces are extremely effective for straightening teeth and treating misaligned jaws. While metal braces are more comfortable than they were in the past, they are still noticeable and unfavorable to many. With the wires, brackets, and rubber bands, traditional metal braces can negatively impact the way that a person looks and feels. Many people find that traditional braces are distracting and do not fit into a busy or professional lifestyle.

Simultaneously, metal braces are difficult to keep clean as food can become stuck between the brackets, requiring a special floss to remove the bits of food. We can help patients receive the necessary treatment without having to drastically change their diet or skip out on some of their favorite treats when wearing braces. While only temporary, this can be inconvenient and at times, frustrating. Given the tendency for food to become stuck, those wearing braces, also need to spend more time brushing and flossing throughout the day.

Clear Aligners are a far more convenient option than other methods for straightening one’s teeth. Patients remove the aligners themselves when eating, so there are no restrictions on which foods you can eat. Patients also do not have to worry about something becoming stuck in the brackets or the embarrassment of feeling awkward while eating. Patients wear Clear Aligners for at least 22 hours per day, leaving plenty of time to enjoy a romantic dinner, business meeting, or lunch without metal braces ruining one’s confidence. This makes it possible for patients to maintain their current lifestyle without any further restrictions.

Another advantage of Clear Aligner braces over traditional ones is that patients can remove the aligners while playing sports, a musical instrument or singing in the choir. As a dental office, we recommend that athletes wear a mouth guard during practice or a game. With braces or other teeth-straightening products, this can be an issue. With Clear Aligners, patients can remove the aligners to wear the mouth guard.

Contact Heritage Dental to learn more about our Clear Aligners or to schedule your appointment.