Straightening Teeth Without Braces

Clear aligners have revolutionized orthodontic therapy, ever since Invisalign® first introduced them. What once required a mouth full of metal braces to move teeth, we can now often achieve the same results with removable clear plastic trays that are virtually invisible. The technology has continued to advance and grow to offer patients even more options, convenience, and flexibility. Let’s explore the option to straighten teeth without braces.

What’s the difference between Invisalign® and clear aligners?

Invisalign® is a brand of clear aligners, just like Xerox is a brand of copy machine. In the end, performance between different clear aligner brands is comparable. Today, there are at least a dozen different companies that design and manufacture clear aligners as well as the option for some dentists to even 3D print their own aligners for their patients.

What’s the difference between clear aligner therapy with a dentist versus clear aligner products such as Smile Direct Club?

Smile Direct, though convenient, can only treat very mild to moderate cases and there is no dentist to regularly check or make necessary adjustments to ensure your teeth are indeed moving in the right direction.

If you choose to undergo clear aligner therapy with a dentist, the doctor personally examines you at every visit and evaluates the progress. In a majority of cases, the doctor will make necessary key adjustments during your regular visits to ensure correct movement and a superior clinical outcome. To save costs, Smile Direct forgoes doctor supervision and intervention.

We all like saving money, but when it comes to health care, it may not always be good to scrimp. Clear aligner therapy is a serious medical/dental procedure where irreversible change can take place. Ask yourself, do you want the best care or the cheapest care? Ultimately, the choice is yours.

What can clear aligners fix?

The good news is most cases can be treated with clear aligner therapy with great success. So whether you’re suffering from overcrowding, crooked teeth, or spacing, you are probably in luck. Only a small percentage of cases where the amount or type of tooth movement required needs traditional braces. Please consult your dentist to see if you would be a good candidate for clear aligners.

What is the con to clear aligners?

The biggest shortfall of clear aligners would be in the area of compliance. In other words, since they are freely removable, ensuring enough wear time falls completely on the patient. Clear aligners generally require a minimum of 22 hours of wear time per day. Patients need to be responsible when it comes to wearing their clear aligners in order to lead to success.

If you or a family member have any further questions regarding clear aligners, please feel free to contact our team at Normandy Lake Dentistry!