clear aligner therapy in Holden

Clear aligners work by using a series of clear plastic “aligners” to adjust the position of your teeth over time. These “aligners” are similar to a retainer.
‍
Each set of aligners is worn for 20-22+ hours per day. They are designed to exert gentle, even pressure on your teeth and gradually move them into the proper position. You will usually switch to a new set of aligners every 2 weeks or so. 
‍
About every 6 weeks, you’ll come to our office to see our Holden dentist for a checkup and to get your next several sets of aligners. For most patients, treatment takes about 20-24 sets of aligners, which means the average treatment time is under a year.

• Your aligners will be invisible while you’re wearing them, so you can straighten your teeth without anybody knowing.
• Clear aligners are much more comfortable to wear compared to traditional braces. They exert more gentle, even pressure to adjust your teeth.
• Clear aligners are removable, unlike traditional metal braces. You can take your aligners out to brush and floss, which allows you to maintain better oral hygiene. 
• Since aligners are removable, you won’t have to deal with dietary restrictions during treatment. You can eat whatever you want!

How long treatment will take depends on how severe your orthodontic problems are and whether or not you properly follow instructions. You must wear your clear aligner trays for a minimum of 22 hours a day or your teeth will begin to shift back to their old alignment. 
‍
Very minor cases of gaps in the teeth can be corrected within 6 weeks and other minor alignment issues can be corrected within 6 months. However, most people can expect to wear their clear aligner trays for 12-18 months, while those with severe alignment or bite issues, or overcrowding, treatment could take 24 months or longer.
‍
Clear aligners are just as effective at treating adult teeth as it is for teenagers. However, once you have completed your treatment, you will likely need to wear a retainer for 22 hours a day to prevent your teeth from reverting to their old alignment while the jawbone is still malleable. 
‍
The length of time you will need to wear a retainer again depends on the severity of your malocclusions and will be discussed with your dentist. If you’re interested in clear aligners, contact us at Khanani Family Dental to schedule an appointment with Dr. Salman Khanani today.

Clear aligners are not as painful as traditional braces because it exerts gentler force to gradually shift the teeth into their proper alignment. However, it is not unusual to feel some soreness, especially when you first begin wearing your aligners. 
‍
You will receive a new pair of aligners every 2 weeks and they will feel the tightest when you first put a new pair on. However, this feeling of pressure on the teeth is how you know the orthodontic treatment is working. Some amount of pressure on the teeth is necessary to shift them. 
‍
The trays will feel the loosest before you switch to a new, tighter pair of aligners. This is because the aligners are working to gradually shift your teeth. Once your teeth have moved a certain amount, the aligners feel looser and more comfortable, which is when it’s time for a new set. You can take over-the-counter pain medication to help reduce discomfort and try sucking on ice cubes.

The only thing you should be consuming when you have your aligners in is cold or room temperature water. While you will not have any restrictions on what you can eat or drink, all foods and hot liquids should only be consumed after removing your aligner trays. 
‍
You should also not smoke or use tobacco products while wearing your aligners. Thankfully, clear aligners are removable so you can easily take off your aligner trays whenever you need to eat or clean your teeth. This also allows for thorough brushing and flossing, unlike traditional braces which make thorough oral hygiene very difficult.

Reasons you should remove your aligners before eating, drinking, or smoking:

- Hot liquids can alter the shape of the aligners
- Foods and drinks can stain the aligners and your teeth
- Food particles can become trapped in the aligners
- Smoking can stain the aligners
- Foods and drinks introduce bacteria into the aligners

Rinse your aligners out when you take them off and before putting them back in, then place them in their storage case. After eating, drinking, or smoking, you should brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligners back in. 

You don’t want any staining foods or food particles being introduced in your aligners, which would be a breeding ground for bacteria and tooth decay. To keep your aligners clean, soak them in cleaning crystals or denture cleaning solution once a day. 

Then, use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently scrub off any food particles or bacteria. Try to limit your snacking and drinks throughout the day so you don’t have to remove your aligners for longer than a total of 2 hours per day, as this can limit the effectiveness of clear aligners.

Clear aligner attachments are tooth-colored bumps made of composite resin that are bonded to your teeth to help anchor your aligners and achieve more complex tooth movements. The attachments will come in various shapes and sizes depending on the direction and type of movement that needs to be achieved. 

They can also be combined with elastics to help shift the jaw. However, not everyone will require clear aligner attachments. If you have a minor case, your aligners will likely be enough to shift your teeth. 

When people have a misaligned bite or severely crooked teeth, attachments are needed to place more pressure on the teeth to achieve movements like rotation or to raise them into the gums. Once your treatment is complete, the attachments will be removed and your teeth will return to normal. 

They are pretty discreet while they are on the teeth because they are just small bumps that blend in with your natural tooth color. They are unlikely to be seen unless you have your aligners out, which should only be happening for a maximum of 2 hours per day.

Rinse - Remember to rinse your aligners out when taking them out and before putting them back in. You should also rinse your mouth after eating so you don’t introduce food particles and bacteria to your aligners. Ideally, you should brush and floss before wearing your aligners every time.

‍Brush - You will need to clean your aligners twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and a solution of denture cleaner or warm water. Do not brush your aligners with toothpaste.

‍Soak - You should soak your aligners in a solution of cleaning crystals or denture solution at least once a week. Don’t soak them for longer than 30 minutes and don’t soak in hot water, which can morph the shape of your aligners. Never soak your aligners in mouthwash.

‍Storage - You will be given an aligner storage case. This is where you should always store your aligners when you aren’t wearing them to avoid damage or loss.

Clear aligners are considered to be a perfectly safe and reliable method of orthodontic treatment, including during pregnancy. Clear aligners are FDA and ADA approved and is made of high-quality plastic that does not contain any BPAs. 

If anything, clear aligners improve your oral and overall health by correcting misaligned teeth. Crooked teeth are more difficult to clean and increase your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. 

This is especially important for pregnant women, who are more prone to developing gum disease. This condition increases the risk of premature labor, low birth weight, and other serious conditions that can impact the health of your child.

Schedule Your Consultation Today!
‍
Interested in a pain-free, more hygienic, and discreet alternative to braces? Contact us at Khanani Family Dental today to schedule a consultation for clear aligner therapy with Dr. Salman Khanani.