More people are switching to clear aligners when it comes to straightening their teeth because they provide an alternative to traditional braces that is just as effective and less intrusive. Clear aligners also allow people to straighten their teeth discreetly, which is great for adults who do not want people to know that they are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Clear aligners are made from a clear plastic material that fits tightly on the teeth and gradually moves the teeth into the desired position. Unlike traditional braces, which are fixed in the mouth and can only be removed by an orthodontist, clear aligners are removable, which allows patients to clean their teeth properly while getting treatment.
Using clear aligners to straighten the teeth is very straightforward. The steps involved include:
When a patient goes in for their initial consultation, the dentist will take a 3D impression of their mouth and formulate a treatment plan to straighten their teeth. They will also show the patient a virtual representation of how their teeth will gradually move into place during each stage of the treatment.
Once the patient and dentist have agreed on a treatment plan, the dentist will send the 3D impression to a dental laboratory to get the clear aligners made. When the tray of aligners is ready, the laboratory will send them back to the dentist, who will inform the patient to come to pick them up. When the patient receives their aligners, the dentist will provide them with instructions on how long they have to keep them in their mouth and how to clean them.
The dentist will instruct the patient to keep the aligners in their mouth for 22 hours a day to get the maximum benefits and complete their treatment in a timely manner. The dentist will also instruct the patient to discard their aligner every two weeks before moving on to the next aligner in the tray.
The dentist will give their patient a tray of aligners to straighten their teeth because each aligner has a specific purpose. The first aligner is used to move the teeth from point A to point B, and after wearing it for two weeks, the patient has to move on to the next aligner, which will move their teeth from point B to point C. The process will continue every two weeks until the patient is done with the aligners they were given, and at this point, the treatment should be complete.
Once the patient is done with their tray of aligners, they will have to visit their dentist to make sure all their teeth moved into the right position. After that, the dentist will provide them with a retainer that they have to wear for 22 hours a day, for up to six months, to prevent their teeth from shifting back to their previous position. After the six months are over, the patient will still have to wear the retainer, but only during the night.
Clear aligners are very effective when it comes to straightening teeth. If you have crooked teeth and want to straighten them without using traditional braces, talk to your dentist and ask if clear aligners are right for you.
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