Clear Aligners are an alternative to traditional braces and are designed to help guide teeth into their proper position. Similar to braces, clear aligners use a gradual force to control tooth movement, but without metal wires or brackets. The aligners are made of a strong plastic material and are fabricated to fit each person’s mouth. If a series of aligners are made, each aligner moves the teeth a little bit more into place until the desired movement is completed.
Aligners are worn for at least 20 hours a day to reach the desired maximum effectiveness. Each aligner is worn for three weeks before changing to the next one. The length of treatment with aligners depends upon the severity of each case. Typically, aligner treatment can be as short as three weeks or as long as six months. Still, a much shorter treatment than traditional braces.
Clear aligners are a great alternative for patients who want a straighter smile but do not want to wear traditional metal braces or for patients who have had orthodontic treatment in the past and want to make minor corrections to their smile. There are several advantages to using clear aligners: