Aligners are a modern, discreet way to straighten your teeth without the need for traditional metal braces. They offer a useful and often more comfortable alternative to metal braces. In this blog, we’ll explain what aligners are, how they work, and their benefits in simple terms.
What are aligners?
Aligners are clear plastic trays that are prepared to fit over your teeth. This set of aligners, time by time, shifts your teeth into the needed position. The aligners are created to fit your teeth by your dentist. The aligners, when compared to traditional metal braces are better in terms of being discreet and nearly invisible. This quality of aligners makes them a good choice for adults and teenagers who prefer a discreet way to straighten their teeth.
How do aligners work?
Aligners function by ‘push” motion. Aligners apply light pressure to your teeth to shift them into the desired position. Your dentist will give you your set of aligners which you will use for a few weeks of time. The teeth will then start shifting to the desired position, and as your teeth move, your dentist will switch you to the new set of aligners to keep them moving to their final position.
Here’s how the process works:
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Step |
Process |
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1. Consultation
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Visit to your dentist for a checkup |
| 2. Treatment | The dentist will make impressions or take digital oral scans of your teeth to create aligners that fit your mouth.
Once the aligners are delivered to the dentist by the lab, the dentist will call you back to start your aligner journey. |
| 3. Wearing the aligners |
You wear the aligners for about 20-22 hours a day and only remove them when eating, drinking, or cleaning your teeth.
|
| 4. New aligners |
Every few weeks your dentist will give you a new set of aligners to keep your treatment on track.
|
| 5. Retainers |
After treatment, you need to wear retainers to keep your teeth in their new position.
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Benefits of aligners
Aligners offer many advantages over traditional braces. Here’s a comparison of their benefits:
|
Benefit |
Aligners
|
Metal braces |
|
Appearance
|
Clear and discreet, hard to notice.
|
Metal brackets and wires are visible. |
| Comfort | Smooth, plastic material, no sharp edges. |
It can cause discomfort, irritation, or sores.
|
| Removability |
It can be removed for eating, drinking, and cleaning teeth.
|
Fixed in place, must clean around brackets to maintain hygiene. |
| Treatment time |
Often faster for mild to moderate cases.
|
Treatment time may be longer for more complex issues. |
| Maintenance |
Easy to clean and maintain.
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Needs regular adjustments and cleaning. |
How can you know that aligners are the right option for you?
The aligners are the right choice for you if you have mild to moderate teeth straightening needs. The aligners fix issues such as
Crowded teeth: When there is overlapping of the teeth.
Gaps between your teeth: when there is visible spacing between your teeth.
Bite issues: such as overbite or underbite.
The aligners might not suit you if you have serious dental problems such as major bite issues or very crooked teeth. At such times, you can go for traditional braces. Therefore, you should always ask your dentist to determine what is the right option for you.
How long does aligner treatment take?
The aligner treatment time depends on the condition of your teeth and the diligence with which you follow your dentist’s instructions. This treatment in normal conditions takes from about six months to 2 years. The proper estimate will be known after your dentist gives you a treatment plan that takes care of all your needs.
What to expect during treatment?
Discomfort: the initial phase of aligner treatment can make you feel some mild to moderate discomfort or soreness when you start wearing aligners or switch to a new set of aligners. This is normal and means that your aligners are working to move your teeth.
Consistency: the period you wear your aligners directly affects the aligner treatment results. The dentist will advise you to wear your aligners for around 20 to 22 hours in most cases. The only time you can remove your aligners is when you eat, drink or clean your teeth.
Follow-up visits: regular checkups are very important to avoid any issues & make sure your treatment is on track, as well as to pick up your next set of aligners.
Tips on how to get successful results for aligners treatment.
To get the results from your aligners, here are a few tips:
|
Tip |
Why it helps |
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Wear aligners consistently
|
Ensure your teeth move as planned. |
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Clean your aligners daily
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Prevents buildup and keeps them clear. |
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Avoid sugary drinks
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Drinks like soda or juice can stain your aligners and harm your teeth. |
| Use a retainer after treatment
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Retainers are given so that your teeth will not shift back to their initial position. |
Summary
The aligners are a comfortable and discreet dental tool used by your dentist to straighten your teeth. They are a good choice for cosmetic issues and bite alignment issues like crowded teeth, crooked teeth or gaps between teeth and provide a flexible and effective solution.
Always visit your dentist before getting any treatment to take the advice and be sure about the treatment. Your dedication and proper care will make sure the results of the aligner case are successful and help you achieve a confident smile.
