Pros and Cons of Clear Aligners for Orthodontics
Orthodontics aims to improve the alignment of your teeth. Doing so improves the way that your smile looks and makes it easier to keep your teeth clean, protecting you against tooth decay and gum disease.
About clear aligners
Clear aligners provide a discreet way to straighten teeth. They allow patients to avoid having to deal with metal wires and brackets on their teeth, as is the case with braces. Clear aligners are transparent, rigid mouth trays that go over teeth. They apply force on teeth just like braces, improving their alignment over a length of time.
Treatment with clear aligners involves getting multiple sets of trays at the start of the treatment. These sets of aligners work together as a relay team, with each set taking over from the previous one. Each set is worn for about two weeks, which is the approximate amount of time for each set of aligners to push the patient’s teeth as far as it can.
Digital images and models are used when designing clear aligners. Each set is customized for the patient’s teeth, and they represent the different stages of treatment. By the time that the patient is done with all their aligner trays, their teeth should be at the target alignment.
Pros and cons of orthodontics with clear aligners
Here are the benefits of improving the alignment of teeth with clear aligners:
- Clear aligners are virtually invisible, making them hard to notice in the mouth
- Clear aligners are removable, making them a more convenient way to straighten teeth
- People who wear clear aligners do not have to restrict their diet because they can simply remove their aligners and reinsert them after meals
- Clear aligners can be removed when it is time to clean the mouth, so patients can keep brushing and flossing like they normally would
The drawbacks that come with clear aligners include:
- The removable nature of clear aligners can be a bad thing when providing orthodontics for children, because the trays can be misplaced or lost or the child might forget to wear them as instructed
- Clear aligners typically cost more than metal braces
- Clear aligners cannot fix severe malocclusion caused by poor jaw positioning
Time for a straighter smile
Ready for a better-aligned smile? Call or visit our Cleburne clinic to learn more about how clear aligners can straighten your teeth.
Request an appointment or call Tennison Orthodontics at 817-522-7358 for an appointment in our Cleburne office.
Related Posts
Curious about orthodontic treatment? Read on to learn more. Straight teeth and properly aligned jaws make for a healthy and functional smile. Many people are lucky to have naturally straight teeth, but others require orthodontic intervention to correct overcrowding, gaps, or misalignment. In some cases, orthodontic therapy can extend far beyond repositioning the teeth in…
Orthodontics help straighten improperly aligned teeth. Teeth alignment problems can ruin the appearance of your smile and leave your teeth more vulnerable to issues like tooth decay and gum disease.Orthodontics uses devices like braces and clear aligners to improve the alignment of teeth by gradually pushing them to better positions over time. Common teeth alignment…
Orthodontics can be used to treat a variety of teeth alignment issues, like a crossbite or crooked teeth. The alignment of a person’s teeth plays an important role when it comes to their oral and overall health. A person has a bad bite when some or all of their teeth do not come together as…