Clear Aligners
Crooked teeth not only affect the aesthetics of your smile, but they can also be detrimental to your oral health. For instance, crowded teeth can be much more difficult to properly clean, leaving you at a greater risk for developing tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. Luckily, people in need of orthodontic care have more options than ever before.
At Discovery DentalClick to open in this tab, we specialize in clear aligner treatment. The clear aligner system is designed for patients who want a discreet and effective alternative to traditional metal braces.
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How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Clear aligners straighten your teeth without the use of metal brackets, wires, and elastic bands. Instead, we begin treatment by taking an impression of your teeth and gums. This impression will be used to create a 3D model of your smile. We may also take photographs, X-rays, and CBCT scans to gather a more comprehensive overview.
Once we decide how to correct your bite, we will develop an appropriate treatment plan for moving your teeth. All of this information will be sent to a dental laboratory, where they will use it to fabricate a series of aligner trays.
Each tray in your series will gradually move your teeth to a more proper position. You will be asked to wear each tray close to full-time for two weeks. Once your teeth have shifted, you can move on to the next tray. A tray should only be removed when eating, drinking, brushing, or flossing.
Your treatment period depends on the severity of your misalignment issues. The more misaligned your teeth and bite are, the longer it will take to fix these problems. On average, clear aligner treatment takes between ten and 24 months.
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Who Qualifies for Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are an excellent alternative to braces, especially for adults. The nature of the clear plastic makes them virtually invisible, which is ideal in the professional setting. However, they may not be appropriate for patients with severe orthodontic issues.
We typically recommend clear aligners for patients with mild to moderate crooked or protruding teeth. In the right circumstances, clear aligners can also be used for more serious malocclusions, such as overbites or underbites. During your consultation appointment, your provider will be able to determine if clear aligners are right for you!
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Clear Aligners vs. Traditional Braces
Traditional braces involve a series of brackets linked together by a metal wire. The wire is attached to the brackets with elastic bands. As your treatment progresses, the wire is periodically tightened until your teeth are in their proper position. Unfortunately, traditional braces come with a certain stigma, especially for adults. Braces can also be quite uncomfortable and inconvenient.
Daily activities such as eating, brushing, and flossing can be much more difficult. Clear aligners help patients with mild to moderate issues avoid the disadvantages of traditional braces. Don’t let your orthodontic treatment affect your professional and personal life!
Types of Clear Aligners at Discovery Dental
Your doctor will take a digital scan of your mouth, which produces several images of your teeth in seconds. With intraoral scanners such as the iTero® or Primescan™ intraoral scanner, the innovative Smart Pixel Sensor processes more than 1,000,000 3D points per second, producing a highly accurate representation of your teeth.
These digital images will help us map out a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth and how long your treatment will be. You’ll even get to see how your teeth will move and preview your new smile.
- SureSmile® Clear Aligners The precision of SureSmile software combined with the clinical expertise of our digital lab ensures the right amount of force at the right time to the right tooth, resulting in better alignment, greater comfort & faster treatment times—so you can enjoy your ideal smile sooner!
- Invisalign® Clear Aligners Ideal for moderate to more complex cases. Your custom-made aligners will be made of Invisalign’s proprietary SmartTrack® material. They’re virtually invisible, so most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them during your teeth straightening.
- CandidPro® Clear Aligners
For mild to moderate cases, CandidPro® offers a convenient and effective path to a straighter smile. With remote monitoring built into the process, you’ll spend less time in the office while still receiving the same expert oversight from our team.
If you would like to learn more about clear aligner treatment, please call (360) 835-2193Click to call us and schedule an appointment now!
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