An introduction to clear aligners: A cosmetic, comfortable alternative to braces for teens and adults alike
The office of Stephen Huber, DDS, strives to support the total health needs of patients of all ages. As such, we are proud to provide a comfortable, convenient, cosmetic, and trusted solution for teens with crooked or otherwise misaligned teeth (and bite problems) and for older adults who may have put off orthodontic treatment or may have experienced relapse with time. Clear aligner therapy is just the alternative to support, restore, and sustain healthier and more balanced smiles among our adult and pediatric patients in Leawood, Kansas.
What do you mean by “clear aligners”?
This category of treatment involves wearing a series of oral appliances. These appliances (“aligners”) are made from a smooth, flexible, and transparent thermoplastic. They are based on the same general principles as conventional braces; instead of using fixed metal hardware to place consistent force on the teeth, these lightweight and discreet removable appliances reposition the teeth. The consistent pressure from the aligners (when worn appropriately throughout treatment) gradually moves the teeth to correct minor and more extensive cosmetic gaps and overlaps, as well as overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite – all without the brackets, wires, and elastics associated with braces.
How do you wear the aligners?
In one word: Easily! Each aligner slips in and out of the mouth with ease. Since the aligners are customized to fit your mouth, they are comfortable yet effective at generating the forces necessary to move the teeth through the bone. Due to this custom-fit, they also do not rub up uncomfortably against the inside of the mouth. They can be taken out before meals and to clean both the aligners themselves and your mouth. So, you can continue enjoying all your favorite foods without appliances or hardware getting in the way. Patients can also stay on top of their good oral hygiene and effortlessly brush and floss their teeth, which helps to keep decay and disease at bay during treatment.
How long should I wear the aligners?
There are two considerations here: daily wear time and total treatment time. All patients should wear the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours daily. That means they should not be removed for eating and cleaning longer than four hours daily. Total treatment time varies from patient to patient. The total number of aligners depends on factors such as the severity of your misalignment or bite imbalances. Since each aligner should be worn in the correct sequence and for one week to two weeks as directed by Dr. Huber, the more aligners required, the longer the treatment time. Depending on your needs, treatment duration is comparable to braces. However, some patients have achieved their goal smiles in half the time as traditional orthodontic treatment. Here again, it all depends on your needs.
Let’s get the process started today. Call Stephen Huber, DDS, at (913) 349-9795 to schedule your clear aligner consultation at our office in Leawood, KS.
