Clear aligners give you the least invasive way to straighten your teeth. They are transparent plastic trays that gradually push your teeth toward a healthier alignment. You get a series of aligners at the start of the treatment, and each set further down the line pushes your teeth closer to the targeted alignment.
Clear aligners emerged a couple of decades ago, and it has increased the number of people who seek teeth straightening treatments. Many people have avoided getting teeth straightening treatments despite their orthodontic issues simply because they do not want to deal with their smile being compromised by metal wires and brackets.
Nowadays, clear braces have become so popular, there are now "Smile Clubs" that provide clear aligners without a need to visit a dentist. Some people are tempted into going this route because it usually costs significantly less than customized aligners provided by a dentist. However, it is not an effective way to straighten teeth because orthodontic treatments need to be monitored by a dentist, and patients need customized trays to get optimal results.
Here are four reasons that you should consult with a dentist for treatment with clear aligners.
Clear aligners are not effective on all orthodontic issues. Clear aligners work best when the patient's teeth alignment issues are being caused by their teeth being poorly positioned. It is not the best option for problems caused by abnormal jaw positioning. Other oral appliances like expanders and metal braces might be better for such patients.
It takes more than an impression to treat poor teeth alignment. Prior to recommending clear aligners, dentists evaluate their patient's teeth and their underlying bone structures to determine if the patient's teeth can be safely moved. An impression alone cannot be used to make this determination. A dentist has to use diagnostic tests like X-rays to evaluate what is going on underneath the patient's gums. Moving teeth with damaged bone structures can lead to root dehiscence.
An oral examination is needed before treatment starts. Treatment with clear aligners requires the patient to wear their trays for about 20 hours each day. During this time, saliva does not get to coat teeth and wash away acids and oral bacteria. Patients with gum disease, tooth decay or enamel demineralization have a higher risk of tooth decay during treatment. A dentist can reduce this by fixing any existing dental issues before proceeding with the treatment.
A customer service rep is not a dentist. When people who order clear aligners run into problems with the movement of their teeth, their only resource is a customer service line. Many who go this route give up on their treatment due to issues that develop, like their overbite getting worse or their teeth moving in the wrong direction.
Call or visit our Tucson clinic if you are interested in getting teeth straightening treatments with clear aligners.
Request an appointment here: https://www.smilereflections.us or call Smile Reflections at (520) 747-3595 for an appointment in our Tucson office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Clear Aligners in Tucson, AZ.
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