Most people don’t naturally have straight teeth or a perfect smile. Kids and teens often get braces or clear aligners early to correct their teeth. Clear aligners are a great choice for both teens and adults because they offer a convenient and almost invisible treatment option. The sooner you start orthodontic care, the better your oral health will be in the long run.
At Advanced Dental Associates in San Antonio, TX, our skilled team can help with dental exams, cleanings, and clear aligner consultations. Clear aligners are a cosmetic treatment we offer to help you achieve a straighter smile.
Clear Aligners at our San Antonio Dental Office
Our clear aligners are a modern way to straighten your teeth. The treatment usually involves wearing a series of clear, removable trays. Clear aligners can fix problems like:
- Crooked teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Open bites
These aligners fit snugly on your teeth, making them almost invisible. They’re FDA-approved and free from BPA, BPS, latex, or gluten, making them safe for people with allergies.
Clear aligners are also more comfortable than metal braces because they consist of solid but flexible plastic. With clear aligners, you don’t have to worry about the discomfort that can come with metal braces.
Initial Consultation
The first step is scheduling a consultation. During this visit, we’ll talk about your smile goals and review whether clear aligners are the right option for you. We’ll examine your teeth and bite, and if necessary, take digital X-rays and impressions of your teeth. These records help us create a personalized treatment plan just for you.
Customized Treatment Plan
After we gather all the needed information, we use modern software to map out the precise movements of your teeth throughout the treatment. This allows us to show you a digital preview of how your teeth will gradually shift into place and what your smile will look like once you’re done. It’s a great way to see the results before treatment begins!
Receiving Your Aligners
Once your treatment plan is finalized, we’ll order your custom aligners. Each aligner is made from a smooth, clear plastic that fits snugly over your teeth. When your aligners arrive, we’ll schedule a fitting appointment to ensure they fit correctly and are comfortable. You’ll receive several sets of aligners, each slightly different, to wear over the course of your treatment.
Wearing the Aligners
You’ll wear each set of aligners for about 1 to 2 weeks, depending on your treatment plan. They work by gently and gradually shifting your teeth into the desired position. You should wear them for 20 to 22 hours a day, only taking them out to eat, drink, brush, and floss. It’s important to follow these guidelines closely to keep your treatment on track.
Throughout the process, we may schedule periodic check-ups to monitor your progress and ensure everything is going smoothly. These visits are usually quick, and don’t happen too often.
Completion, Retainers and Ongoing Care
Once your treatment is complete, and your teeth are in their ideal positions, we’ll discuss retainers. Wearing a retainer is essential to maintaining your straight teeth. The retainer prevents your teeth from shifting back to their original positions. We’ll provide you with a custom retainer and instructions on how often to wear it.
Even after your clear aligner treatment is complete, you should maintain regular dental check-ups and cleanings to keep your smile healthy and bright. We’ll provide you with all the guidance you need to ensure your smile stays in top shape.
If you have any more questions or are ready to get started, feel free to reach out! We’re here to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
Benefits of Clear Aligners
The main reason patients prefer clear aligners is that they’re almost invisible. Unlike traditional braces with metal brackets and wires that stand out, clear aligners use see-through plastic that’s much less noticeable. Most people won’t even realize you’re wearing them.
Clear aligners are also removable, unlike braces that stay on your teeth all the time. You can take them out to eat, drink, brush, floss, or for special occasions. This means you can enjoy your favorite foods and drinks without worrying about your aligners. Just remember to wear them most of the day to ensure they work properly.
Taking care of your teeth is easier with clear aligners because you don’t have to navigate around brackets and wires. Treatment with clear aligners is often quicker and less expensive than with metal braces, usually taking about 12 to 18 months.
Clear aligners only use smooth plastic, so they won’t harm your gums or lips like traditional braces might. They’re custom-fitted by our dentists to ensure they fit your teeth comfortably.
You also won’t need as many visits to the dentist or orthodontist. With traditional braces, you have to get the wires tightened every month. With clear aligners, you’ll receive several sets in the mail and change them yourself every 2 weeks.
Taking Care of Your Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are easier to care for than braces, but you still need to keep them clean. When you take them out to eat, rinse your mouth with water before putting them back in. It’s also a good idea to gently brush your teeth and the aligners before wearing them again. Pay extra attention to the gumline where the aligners sit, as plaque can build up there.
Clean your aligners at least once or twice a day, ideally when you brush and floss your teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with non-abrasive toothpaste or mild soap and your fingertips to avoid scratching them. If you don’t clean your aligners properly, they can build up plaque and get stained.
Always put your aligners in their case when you’re not wearing them. This keeps them safe from damage or getting lost. Many people accidentally throw them away or lose them after placing them on a napkin while eating.
Even though you shouldn’t eat or drink with the aligners in, some foods and drinks can still affect them. If you consume anything with staining pigments, make sure to rinse and clean your mouth before putting the aligners back in, as they can still get stained.
Clear aligners have many advantages over braces, so why not use them to straighten your smile? Get the straight teeth you’ve always wanted at Advanced Dental Associates. Contact our San Antonio dental office at 210-361-6847 or online anytime. We will help you decide if you’re a good candidate for clear aligners, and create a custom treatment plan that’s right for you.