How Clear Aligners Can Transform Your Smile Without the Hassle of Traditional Braces

It’s a common misconception that braces are only for teenagers. In fact, many adults are turning to orthodontics every year to help them to achieve a straighter and more refined smile.

And forget everything you think you know about braces. You no longer have to put up with traditional fixed braces made from metal brackets and wires. There are many modern orthodontic systems available, including clear and removable aligners.

Clear and removable aligners could fix many of the issues you might have with the prospect of traditional fixed braces. They are discreet, easy to care for and can make your treatment more comfortable. Let’s explore this treatment plan in more detail…

What are clear aligners?

Clear aligners look a lot like the retainers you might typically wear at the end of orthodontic treatment. Or you might recognise them as looking very similar to teeth whitening trays.

The difference is that clear aligners are made from a special plastic that is capable of applying pressure to the teeth at strategic points. This pressure gently and gradually moves your teeth into the correct alignment.

With traditional orthodontic treatment using fixed braces, the braces are adjusted by your dentist as the treatment progresses. This means you’ll need to visit the dentist more frequently. With removable aligners, the treatment is designed in full at the start and you receive a case of aligners.

You wear each aligner for 7-10 days before moving to the next aligner in the case. With every aligner change, your teeth will get a little closer to perfect alignment.

How do clear aligners work?

Clear aligners are made from a special material that is very strong but still transparent and thin. Using 3D scans of the teeth and mouth, your dentist will design your treatment plan. These scans are then used to create your case of aligners. Each one is designed to fit your teeth and gum line perfectly, so they should be very comfortable to wear.

It’s also possible to use attachments, which are small pieces of resin stuck to the surface of your teeth. This connects with a textured part of the aligner and allows it to get a better hold on your tooth. Attachments are commonly used to correct teeth that have rotated.

As you move through the treatment plan, every change of aligner will bring your teeth a little bit closer to perfect alignment. And at the end of the treatment, you can switch to just wearing a retainer at night time to help keep your teeth in the correct position.

Why are clear aligners different to traditional braces?

There are many differences between the clear aligner system and traditional fixed braces. The first is that clear aligners are removable, which can make the treatment plan more comfortable and less fussy.

With fixed aligners, you might have to avoid certain foods or take extra time to brush your teeth and braces. But with clear aligners, you simply remove your aligners to eat, drink and brush your teeth.

Another key difference is in the visibility. While you could opt for tooth-coloured brackets and clear wires with your fixed braces, this will still be visible. Clear aligners sit flush against the teeth and are made from a transparent plastic.

While they aren’t completely invisible, they are removable should you need to take them out for a moment. This is popular with professionals who might feel more confident removing their braces while giving a presentation, for example.

The number of visits to your dentist during treatment will also be drastically lower when you choose clear aligners. This is because you can manage your adjustments at home by simply changing your aligners. You will still visit the dentist periodically throughout treatment to make sure everything is progressing as it should.

Your daily routine with clear aligners

When you’re wearing clear aligners, you won’t have to make many big changes to your daily routine. You wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day. This should leave you with plenty of time to eat, drink and brush your teeth.

When you wake up in the morning, you will have been wearing your aligners all night and they’ll be ready for a clean. You can start the day by removing your aligners while you enjoy your breakfast and a cup of tea or coffee. Next, you can brush your teeth while you leave your aligners to soak in a special cleaning solution.

Once your teeth and aligners are clean, you can pop them in for the day. You can now only drink cold or tepid water for the rest of the day, unless you decide to take your aligners out. Hot water and drinks like coffee will warp and stain your aligners.

At lunch time, you can remove your aligners and keep them safe in your aligner case. After you’ve enjoyed your lunch, you can rinse your mouth and your aligners and put them back in. One perk of clear aligners is that it can help you to stop unhealthy snacking habits that can cause damage to your teeth.

You can then remove your aligners again for your evening meal. If you’re planning a night out, you’ll just have to remove your aligners while you are drinking anything other than water. And then at the end of the day, you can remove your aligners and soak them in a cleaning solution again while you brush your teeth. Before you go to bed, remember to put your aligners back in so they can work through the night.

You don’t have to make any changes to the foods that you enjoy, but you might have to cut down on snacking between meals or drinking lots of cups of tea and coffee throughout the day. Of course, it’s still possible to enjoy occasional treats, you’ll just have to remember to remove your aligners before you eat or drink.

Caring for your aligners

The most important thing to remember when you are wearing aligners is not to drink hot drinks while wearing them. Heat will warp the aligners and make them ineffective. It could also cause the edges of your aligners to curl outwards, which could put pressure on your cheeks and gums.

Another thing to consider is that aligners are prone to bacteria build up. Therefore it is essential to make sure you have a good cleaning routine. This can help to prevent bad smells and tastes in your mouth while also preventing staining.

If your aligners do develop any stains, you can use a small amount of non-abrasive toothpaste to help clean them.

Your aligners will also have wear indicators which show your dentist if you are wearing them for long enough. It’s essential to wear your aligners for long enough, or the treatment won’t be as effective. If you switch to the next aligner in your case and your teeth aren’t ready, it will also be more uncomfortable.

Who shouldn’t wear clear aligners?

While the vast majority of individuals can wear clear aligners, this treatment plan isn’t right for everyone. There are a few situations where you might not be the ideal candidate.

• If you are quite forgetful and might struggle to remember to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day, this treatment might not be effective for you.

• Likewise, if you often lose track of things and are concerned you might lose your aligners, you might be better off with a fixed aligner solution.

• Finally, there are some alignment issues that can be treated more effectively with traditional fixed braces. Your dentist will be able to tell you if this is the case.

Final thoughts on the benefits of clear aligners

If you’re looking for a discreet and effective way to achieve straighter teeth, clear aligners could offer the perfect solution. If you’re self conscious about wearing braces, this could be an easy way to achieve straighter teeth without having to spend months wearing fixed metal braces.

There are so many myths surrounding clear aligners that it can be difficult to know who to believe. For example, some people would have you believe that you can only use clear aligners to fix mild orthodontic issues, but this isn’t the case. Another common myth is that you can’t have orthodontics as an adult if you didn’t have it as a child. This is also not true.

The best way to overcome these myths and get to the truth is by speaking to your dentist. This will allow you to cut through the noise and determine if this treatment plan could be the right one for you. Remember, even if you would prefer clear aligners, this might not be the optimum treatment plan for your needs. It’s important to make decisions based on insight rather than trends.