WHAT ARE CLEAR ALIGNERS?

Clear Aligners are transparent trays made of a special material that are used to straighten teeth just like braces. They use gentle and constant force to move the teeth in the required position without going through the hassles of metal wires and brackets. They are custom made for each patient through a digital scan.

How do they work?

Your Orthodontist will formulate a customized plan to move your teeth in the desired position. The aligners shift the teeth slowly and gradually and as a result, a person needs to change into a new set of trays every 3 weeks. The new-age braces as they are called are worn for at least 20 hours in a day to get the maximum efficiency and better results.

The aligners are either made of a special material which uses the gentle and constant force and moves the teeth just like metal braces and brackets. Each set of aligners fit accurately over the teeth but should be removed while brushing, eating and flossing.

Difference between Traditional Braces & Clear Aligners

Care with Aligners on:

Though aligners are the most comfortable option, yet there are certain things that need to be kept in mind while you have it on. Your Orthodontist will give you a set of guidelines which should be followed diligently such as below:

You should wear the aligners for at least 20 hours a day for effective results.

Remove your aligners while brushing, flossing & eating. Never have it on especially while consuming anything hot.

Keep your aligners clean. While you brush to make sure that you brush your aligners in the same way.

Keep them safe in the box as given by your Orthodontist to prevent it from getting dirty.

Post-treatment care

Retain your smile with Retainer – Just because you’ve got your teeth straightened does not necessarily mean that it will stay straight throughout. Your Orthodontist might advise retainers which will prevent your teeth to shift back to their previous location.

Take care of your food habits – It may so happen that your teeth are sensitive after the treatment, therefore, it is advised to not consume, too crunchy food for a few days. Let your smile rest before going back to the crunchy munchy snacks.

Do not forget to brush – Keep up your habit of brushing twice a day and flossing in order to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Not taking good care of your oral hygiene will let the treatment go in vain.

Visit your dentist – Because you are done with your treatment and have got that perfect smile you always desired for does not mean that you need not visit the dentist ever. Always visit a dentist every 6 months to ensure that this smile remains intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are Aligners as good as Braces?

Aligners work on the same principle as that of Traditional Braces and can produce the same result in most cases. However, talk to your dentist to know if aligners are the best option for you.

2. Can anyone get Aligners?

Aligners work best for almost any and everyone. However, do talk to your dentist if your kids can be treated with aligners.

3. How long does it take to recover?

The time taken to recover depends on the condition of existing teeth. Usually, it takes 13-15 months to get your smile to straighten but only your dentist can help to know the exact time of recovery.

4. What is the price of treatment?

The treatment is costlier than the traditional braces, but it generally varies from case to case i.e. on the type of problem a person is facing.

5. Are the results permanent?

Yes, if you follow the healthy regime of taking good care of your teeth, then the result is permanent.

6. Are there any side-effects of the treatment?

The treatment of Clear Aligners is absolutely safe with no side effects at all. You might feel a bit uncomfortable in the beginning but that is only for a few days.