What Is the Clear Aligners Treatment Process?

Before clear aligners were an option, most adults didn’t believe that there was a practical solution for their crooked teeth. Sure, braces were always an option but given how intrusive they feel and how conspicuous they are, most adults would just make do with unsatisfactory teeth their entire lives. From hiding their smiles to simply not getting pictures clicked, they found ways to hide their crooked teeth. But you don’t have to dull your persona anymore.

Transparent aligners have truly changed the field of dentistry. They’ve provided a newfound hope, especially to adults, who are conscious about their crooked teeth.  Clear aligners are inconspicuous and are not as restrictive as metal braces. You can eat what you want, meet whom you want and smile all you want without any worries.

There are several benefits of clear aligners and they aren’t just limited to their obvious aesthetic advantage. Clear aligners are also helpful in maintaining oral hygiene and overall, getting your teeth straightened with the help of clear aligners is a painless process. 

The Stages of the Treatment Process with Clear Aligners

Before you make the final decision, you might want to understand how clear aligners work. So here are the six steps of the treatment process:

1)     Consultation

Contacting the right dentist or orthodontist and getting proper consultation is the very first step. They will conduct a check-up and then let you know if clear aligners are the right choice for you or not. Depending on how much straightening your teeth needs, traditional braces could be an option too. You should make sure that you are meeting the right expert who gives dependable advice. If you plan to go ahead with the process, then you will be staying in touch with the orthodontist for a few weeks if not less.

Making sure that you can rely on them, that they truly have the required expertise and experience and that they are easily accessible is imperative. You might also want to consult more than two orthodontists before beginning the process and then choose the one that best suits your needs.

2)     Customization

In this step, the orthodontist will create a customized aligner treatment plan by taking a physical mould impression on your teeth. If they are more high-tech, they might rely on digital scans of your mouth taken using an intra-oral dental scanner.

They will then send these scans or mould impressions to a dental lab along with instructions on how much straightening your teeth require. This also allows the lab technicians to create aligners that are perfect for every misaligned tooth.

3)     Preview

With digital scans, your orthodontist can share the results immediately with you. They can show you how your teeth are predicted to move and exactly what the final picture will look like. The aligners are usually made of smart track material that allows them to remain hidden while making the right corrections. It is recommended to wear the aligners for at least 20-22 hours in the day. Thus, you can remove them for eating and brushing and then put them back on.

4)     Progress Tracking

Clear aligners gently and effectively move your teeth into place. You will be given a new set of aligners almost every week. This process is painless and also quicker than traditional methods. In the case of braces, you’d have to wear them for months or years depending on the severity of the misalignment. With clear aligners, your orthodontist will probably also schedule check-ups every six weeks or so, which makes it easier to track progress.

5)     Maintenance

Lastly, it is important to look after your newly aligned dazzling smile. Cavities and gum issues can still harm your teeth and if gaps are created due to a missing tooth, they can induce shifts creating gaps or crookedness. Thus, looking after your teeth should remain the topmost priority.

Also Read: 5 Reasons to Consider Clear Aligners

Conclusion

The clear aligners treatment process is painless, effective and time-saving. There are several other benefits of using clear aligners. You do not have to hide your smile anymore. Just contact the right expert and start your journey towards a beautiful smile today.