5 Common Questions About Clear Aligners

 Clear aligners are made to straighten teeth over time. These aligners apply pressure to your teeth to move them slowly in the right direction. You will receive your complete series of aligners and replace weekly with a fresh set that continues to adjust your teeth towards the final position. 

 Every patient is unique, which means there is no set time period for your treatment. However, your orthodontist will likely provide an estimate for how long you need to wear your aligners.

The average patient wears clear aligners for 6 to 10 months. The more you wear your aligners, the more effective they will be. This means you won’t have to extend your treatment.

Even before your treatment is complete, you may start to notice that your teeth are getting straighter with each passing month.

 One of the main benefits of clear aligners is that you can remove them for important events. However, you don’t want to keep them out for long periods of time or build a habit of not wearing them.

It’s okay to take your aligners out for an important event (like a graduation or a wedding) but try to keep them on if possible. You also need to remove them to eat and should brush your teeth before wearing them again.

 Your teeth want to move, which means they are going to shift around over time and possibly revert back to where they were. Your orthodontist will give you a final set of aligners, after your treatment is complete, to wear as a retainer when you sleep at night. This will keep your teeth straight without requiring you to wear your aligners all day. 

The best way to keep your aligners clean is to keep your mouth clean. Brush and floss before wearing your aligners so food doesn’t build up on them. Coffee, tea, and soda can also stain your aligners, giving you a yellow smile, so try to be careful when drinking these beverages.

Your orthodontist may provide a cleaning solution to help you wash your aligners if you drop them on the floor or if they get dirty.