Straighten Your Teeth With Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are clear plastic retainers that fit perfectly snug to each tooth all the way around your arches that you would wear consecutively to help move your teeth. Each retainer moves your teeth just a little bit. You slowly move from one clear aligner to the next, and each liner moves your teeth just a little bit.
How do clear aligners compare to traditional braces?
Clear aligners are clear and fit snugly to your teeth, making them pretty much invisible. You can go through the process of moving your teeth, doing orthodontia with clear liners, and not many people will even know you're in clear aligners.
In contrast, with traditional braces, we need to place brackets and little wires and bars throughout your teeth, which are more noticeable to people around you and can make keeping your teeth clean more challenging.
Are clear aligners really faster than traditional braces?
The answer to that is yes and no. In general, for most straightforward movement of teeth, clear aligners can be faster. However, for more advanced cases where significant movement or tooth extractions are involved, traditional braces can be quicker.
In general, clear aligners can be quicker because they are a take-home treatment, and you don't need to return to the dentist for adjustments. The liners themselves facilitate the movement as you progress through each one.
Why are clear aligners often considered more comfortable than traditional braces?
It's pretty simple. With clear aligners, you're wearing a thin clear plastic retainer around your teeth that feels smooth to your lips and tongue.
Traditional braces have brackets, bars, and wires that protrude and can trap more debris, making them less comfortable. Imagine a slick piece of plastic compared to a bar and a bracket.
How long do clear aligners take to straighten teeth?
This is a very broad question. If you have a little bit of crowding on your lower front teeth, it could be corrected in three to six months.
However, if you have crossbite, rotated teeth, deep bite, underbite, the treatment takes longer as more issues need to be addressed.
What is the process involved with clear aligners treatment?
The first step is an evaluation with me here at Reiser Dental. We'll take a digital impression of your upper and lower jaw, your bite, and how your teeth move. We'll discuss your goals for function and aesthetics and make a game plan for treatment.
After our evaluation and diagnostic mockup, I'll show you an animation of how your teeth will move and what your final smile will look like. Once we're aligned on the plan, we submit it to our company that manufactures the clear aligners.
They send us a box of clear liners, and you'll return for an appointment where we may place composite clear buttons on your teeth to guide movement. We'll explain what to watch for during treatment, and then you'll start wearing the aligners.
What are clear aligner trays and how many will I need?
The clear aligner trays are retainers that fit over your teeth and help move them. The number you need depends on your treatment plan. For minor adjustments, it might take three trays, while more complex cases like crossbites or deep bites could require up to two years of treatment with multiple trays.
Do I sleep with clear aligners?
Yes, sleeping with clear aligners is essential, along with wearing them for 22 hours a day. When you choose to use clear liners, we'll ask you to wear them as much as possible, including while sleeping.
Is there anything that could disqualify you from using clear aligners?
With advancements in technology, clear liners can be used in about 95% of cases. However, severe gag reflexes, significant tooth mobility, systemic issues, or periodontal disease could disqualify someone from using clear aligners. These issues might also disqualify someone from using traditional braces.
Can clear aligners fix crossbite?
Yes, clear aligners can fix a crossbite. While this was challenging 20 years ago, technological advancements have enabled clear aligners to successfully correct crossbites.
Are clear aligners painful?
In general, aligners aren't painful, but moving teeth through orthodontia can be. As you wear aligners and your teeth move, there can be some discomfort.
Typically, you'll experience soreness for the first eight hours after switching to a new tray. We recommend doing this at night to minimize discomfort while sleeping.
Do most insurance cover the cost of clear aligners?
This depends on your insurance plan. Coverage for clear aligners and traditional braces is the same, as it falls under orthodontia.
Each insurance company and plan offers different options. If your insurance covers traditional braces, it will likely cover clear liners. It's about whether your insurance covers orthodontics or not. Medicaid doesn't usually cover teeth movement, so it wouldn't cover traditional braces or clear aligners.
How much do clear aligners cost without dental insurance?
The cost varies based on the complexity of your treatment. For full aligners, covering as many trays as needed for the entire treatment duration, the cost is around $6,300 without insurance.
For less involved cases, it can be around $4,500. Each case is different; for instance, moving one tooth might cost around $400. The most expensive scenario, involving a 10-year treatment, would be $63,300.
How can I schedule an appointment to talk with the dentist about clear aligners?
That's very simple. If you're interested or have questions about clear aligners, either give us a call at the office at (720) 797-5554 or click below to schedule an appointment with us!
If you’re looking for dental care you can trust, call us at (720) 797-5554 or email [email protected]. We’re here to help you have the smile you've always wanted!