People who desire straight teeth have several different options instead of just braces. If you prefer a removable option that has a discreet appearance, then clear aligners may be the solution you need. Clear aligners are a series of customized transparent plastic retainer-like devices that gradually shift the teeth into alignment and correct crooked teeth.
Clear aligners are available at Braces By Abbadent in Dubuque and the surrounding area. Under the direction of Dr. Aaron Rauen, DDS, our team provides patients with the clear aligner treatment they need to achieve a straight and healthy smile. One form of clear aligners we offer is known as Invisalign®.
To learn if clear aligners are the teeth straightening option you need, call us at (563) 484-5202 and schedule an appointment.
While there are multiple benefits to investing in clear aligners for a teeth-straightening treatment, they are not necessarily the most effective treatment for everyone. In general, we only recommend clear aligners for teenagers and adults. Children may not have the level of responsibility required to take proper care of clear aligners.
Here are some of the benefits of clear aligners:
Over the years, the technology used in creating clear aligners has improved significantly. It is now possible to correct malocclusions that would have been otherwise too complicated for aligners. Although there are cases where regular braces would be the best option, we would discuss this with the patient when they come for treatment.
The overall goal of clear aligners is similar to traditional braces without placing individual brackets on each tooth. Clear aligners place accurately calculated forces on the teeth to shift them to their position. Unlike braces, clear aligners do not consist of metal, but from nearly invisible polyurethane plastic.
The treatment procedure starts by taking impressions of the teeth. Since the clear aligners are custom made for the patient, we will take a physical mold of the teeth or use high tech scanner to take digital images of the teeth. The images or impressions will be forwarded to the dental lab to create a custom set of clear aligners.
To customize the aligner trays to each patient, Dr. Aaron Rauen, DDS will help to review the direction in which the teeth will need to shift. The plan will divide the movement into several dozen phases. For each stage, the company making the clear aligners will fabricate two plastic aligner trays – each for the upper and lower teeth.
Patients will need to wear the first of trays for about two weeks, at least 20-22 hours daily. After that, the patient will need to switch to the next set of aligners in the series to achieve the next set of gradual movements. This process will repeat with a new set each time until the teeth are correctly aligned.
The patient can remove the aligners to eat food, take pictures, play in sports, attend meetings and more. The patient will need to remember to brush their teeth after each meal before placing the aligners back in their mouth. This way, patients can continue to enjoy their favorite foods without issue.
The teeth will usually move about 1/10mm with each tray, meaning that each new tray will shift the teeth toward their goal each time. The new trays put extra pressure on teeth, and in the two weeks, the teeth will move slowly to match the tray.
As mentioned earlier, one of the main benefits of Invisalign clear aligners is that they are removable for easy cleaning. Patients must never forget to clean their teeth after every meal to prevent food debris and plaque from building up in the aligners. Poor oral hygiene may cause tooth decay or gum disease. The aligners must be cleaned regularly by brushing and rinsing them in warm water.
Patients must also stay diligent with wearing the aligners to ensure successful treatment. The main reason why Invisalign is so effective is that it is designed to put the correct level of force at the proper time and place. By doing so, we can help to minimize pain.
To get the immense benefits of having a straight set of teeth, call us at (563) 484-5202 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Aaron Rauen, DDS will examine your teeth to determine if clear aligners are the treatment option your teeth need.