Clear Aligners: All You Need To Know Before Getting Them

A smiling face is a beautiful face. But for many people, their smile is a cause for distress. Having straight, even teeth is not only considered aesthetically pleasing but also helps in maintaining good oral health in the long run. 

Some people have naturally straight, well-aligned teeth which give them a healthy and perfect smile. However, if you are not one of them and suffer from malocclusion or misaligned teeth, there are several ways to correct it. If you are concerned about your smile and want to straighten out your teeth, it’s time to make an appointment with an orthodontist at one of the best dental clinics in Dubai. 

There are several methods to correct the alignment of your teeth. For a long time, orthodontists recommended metallic braces as the most effective technique to straighten the teeth. Nowadays, invisible aligners have become more popular among patients of all ages due to their convenience and discrete nature.  

In this article, we will learn more about clear aligners and how they work to give you the straight, even teeth you deserve.

Invisible aligners- What’s the deal about them?

Invisible or clear aligners are designed to straighten your teeth and correct your bite to an extent, giving you a beautiful smile and tangible oral health benefits. The clear aligner trays are made of transparent, hypoallergenic plastic and are made to measure to fit your teeth. The aligner trays apply consistent pressure on your teeth and move them in the right direction to straighten and align them.

The clear aligners are virtually invisible and can straighten teeth 2.1 times faster than traditional metal braces, but just as effective. The transparency of the clear aligners makes it a discreet way to correct your smile. Due to the comfort, and convenience offered by invisible aligners, this treatment option is highly popular among adults and adolescents. 

Clear aligner treatment offers faster results with no pain sensitivity. Usually, the treatment may last anywhere between 8 to 18 months or longer depending on your unique circumstances. However, the patient is advised to follow certain rules to get the full benefit out of the treatment. Here is what you need to do-

• One of the biggest highlights of the invisible aligner treatment is that the aligner trays are completely removable. You can take them off during meal times as well as during other special occasions, as long as you wear them for a minimum of 20 hours a day to progress the treatment as per the plan.
• As the aligner trays are completely removable, you have all the freedom to eat your favourite foods, without the risk of damaging the clear aligners. However, you will have to brush your teeth after eating, right before you replace the aligners.
• The invisible aligners are transparent. However, the aligner trays are prone to stains and plaque buildup if not properly cleaned and stored. To avoid staining your aligners, ensure that you are not drinking any colored liquids while wearing them. Also, you will have to clean the aligner trays using a special cleaning solution or a denture solution and warm water before replacing them in your mouth. 
• The aligner trays must not be kept open and exposed to air as it encourages bacterial buildup on the. Ensure that the clear aligners are placed in the accompanying case when not in use.
• Never use toothpaste, mouthwash, hot water, or abrasive materials such as a hard toothbrush to clean your clear aligners. All these cleaning methods can damage the aligner tray by staining or scratching them, which causes the aligners to lose their transparency.
• During the treatment, your aligner trays will change every 2 weeks or so based on your orthodontist's recommendation. So if you are planning a long vacation, ensure that you have the right set of aligner trays for the upcoming weeks with you. Additionally, ensure that the aligners are inside their case and not lying loosely inside your luggage as it will damage the trays.
• Never miss your dental appointments. Generally, your dental appointments will be scheduled every 6 to 8 weeks. 
  

What to expect from your treatment?

Invisible aligners can effectively treat several malocclusions including gapped or crowded teeth, overbite, underbite, and crossbite. However, if you need a significant jaw correction, clear aligners will be recommended in combination with other treatments for a complete smile makeover.

The invisible aligners are recommended by our orthodontists after thoroughly evaluating your issues. Our dentists rely on a state-of-the-art system to generate 3D images of your teeth to create your personalized treatment plan. Before the treatment, you will even be given a preview of your new and improved smile to get an idea of your results.

During the treatment, ensure that you are following good oral hygiene to avoid plaque buildup and gum infections. Not following the above rules will also cause your clear aligners to get damaged in between the treatment and also delay your results. 

Are you interested to know more about our clear aligner treatment? Book your appointment today and set out on your journey to get that perfect smile you deserve!