Clear Aligners Idaho Falls

How Clear Aligners Works

Clear Aligners does the same job as metal braces, relying on gradual pressure that’s applied to the teeth to shift them into healthier, correct positions. However, it does this a little differently than the iconic metal brackets and wires. Patients wear unique sets of clear plastic trays that are shaped to fit over their teeth; these trays apply steady pressure to the teeth, encouraging them to move. The trays are also fully removable, meaning that patients aren’t subject to dietary restrictions or the bulkiness of wearing their braces 24/7. Patients advance through their sets of trays as instructed until eventually, their pearly whites are perfectly aligned!

The Benefits of Clear Aligners

Clear aligners offer all kinds of incredible, patient-friendly benefits that traditional orthodontic options like braces simply cannot. Here are just a few to consider as you continue to weigh your decision as to whether you should pursue clear aligner treatment:

Subtle Treatment 

Wearing clear aligners doesn’t require hours spent in the treatment chair having metal brackets bonded to the surfaces of your teeth. Instead, they are crafted in a laboratory and worn discreetly for 20-22 hours each day. Their removability makes them a preferred orthodontic solution because of how easy it is to remove them to eat and/or speak, making them a subtle form of treatment.

Comfort-Based Aligners

Clear aligners contain no protruding brackets that rub against soft oral tissues. Instead, they are smooth, making them a comfortable orthodontic solution. While wearing your trays, you will appreciate the lack of irritation that would otherwise require orthodontic wax to treat. Your gums, cheeks, lips, and tongue will avoid damage over time, allowing you to enjoy your time spent wearing clear aligners.

More Efficient Follow-Ups

Traditional braces require multiple follow-up appointments so that a dentist can tighten or replace the archwire; however, clear aligner treatment requires fewer appointments. Also, these visits are more efficient because there is no wire to tighten. Instead, our team will review the progress of your shifting smile to make sure everything is on the right track.

Long-Term Oral Health

Your oral hygiene routine is simple while wearing clear aligners. Instead of trying to navigate around bulky metal brackets and wires, you can remove your trays and clean them using a soft-bristle toothbrush, clear soap, and lukewarm water. This removes dried saliva, bacteria, and all other particles successfully. It also ensures your smile remains healthy, as long as you commit to caring for your teeth and gums, too.

Boosted Self-Esteem

During and after treatment, you can expect to experience greater self-esteem because of clear aligner treatment. This is one of the greatest benefits of clear aligners – they remain discreet, so you can embrace boosted confidence no matter who you are around each day. As time passes, you’ll become even more excited about the future results because you’ll continue to see your teeth shift in the right direction.

Discreet Aligners

Clear aligners are designed to be discreet, so no one ever needs to know about your treatment. The clear plastic offers a virtually invisible appearance, making it possible to pursue a straighter smile without hindering your daily appearance.

Who Can Clear Aligners Help?

If you are considering clear aligners, but you aren’t sure if you’re a candidate, then schedule a consultation at our office! That way, we can get an in-depth understanding of your dental history, needs, and goals to determine if you’re a candidate. You can also read on to learn some of the orthodontic problems that can be corrected with this innovative solution.

Crowded Teeth

Do your teeth crowd together to the point that they overlap? Unfortunately, the unique crevices that form can harbor food particles, plaque, and other debris, increasing your risk of tooth decay and other common oral health problems in the process. That’s why it’s so important to explore your orthodontic treatment options, including clear aligners! If you’re a candidate, then we can guide your teeth into their ideal positions, improving the look and health of your smile in the process.

Gaps Between Teeth

Maybe you’re dealing with the opposite problem (there is so much room in your mouth that there are gaps between your teeth). Unfortunately, the outcome is often the same: low self-esteem, an increased risk of gum disease, and trouble enunciating clearly. There is good news, though: clear aligners are usually an option for patients with mild to moderate cases. So, don’t just assume your only path forward involves metal brackets and wires!

Overbite

When you bite down, do your upper teeth extend beyond the lower ones more than they should? If so, you may have an overbite. Unfortunately, even relatively minor cases of this bite problem can lead to several issues, including trouble enunciating clearly. For this reason, we recommend exploring your treatment options sooner rather than later. If clear aligners are one of them, then we can guide your teeth and bite into their ideal positions without any metal at all.

Underbite

If your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones, then you may have an underbite. Like the other orthodontic problems on this list, it can negatively impact the look and health of your smile as well as your chewing and speaking patterns. So, don’t take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, schedule a consultation with us so we can assess the complexity of your case and determine if clear aligners are the ideal solution.

Crossbite

Do only some of your upper teeth sit behind your lower ones? If so, you might have a crossbite, which is an orthodontic problem that can lead to chronic jaw pain, TMJ dysfunction, and premature wear and tear on your teeth. If you’re wondering if clear aligners can fix crossbites, you’ll be happy to hear that the answer is often “yes.” To find out if that’s the case for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jenkins!

Open Bite

Some patients have an open bite, which is when the upper and lower teeth can’t meet when they bite down. One of our biggest concerns with this orthodontic problem is dental damage due to the uneven pressure. If you think you may have an open bite, take the next step: schedule a consultation with us. That way, we can determine if clear aligners are the solution!