We at Specialty Smiles have observed how clear aligners have changed the way we treat orthodontics for our North Miami patients. There was a time when metal braces were the only way to straighten teeth. Today, clear aligners are a discreet and pleasant option that fits right into your life and makes your smile look better. We’re happy to tell you how this new way of doing orthodontics might be just what you need to straighten your teeth.
Clear aligners are exactly what they sound like: clear, plastic trays that are designed just for your teeth and slowly move them into the right position. Most people won’t even know that you’re getting orthodontic treatment because they are almost invisible when you wear them. Adults and teens who might feel self-conscious about wearing regular braces at work, school, or in social circumstances love these.
One of the best things about getting clear aligners at our North Miami office is that they give you a lot of freedom. You may take aligners out when you eat, drink anything other than water, clean your teeth, or floss, unlike fixed braces. This gets rid of a lot of the food restrictions that come with traditional braces. You don’t have to worry about food getting stuck in brackets or wires anymore. You can still eat all of your favorite foods while getting your teeth straightened.
The first step is a full consultation at Specialty Smiles. We employ cutting-edge imaging technology to make a digital model of your teeth and arrange a treatment that is just right for you. With this technology, we can show you a virtual glimpse of how your teeth will move during treatment and how your smile will look when you’re done. A lot of our patients find this preview very encouraging because they can see what the eventual result could be before they even start therapy.
After we make a plan for your treatment, we make a set of custom aligners just for your teeth. Each set is a little different and is made to slowly move your teeth into the right places. You will wear each set of aligners for roughly one to two weeks before moving on to the next set. During this time, you’ll come to our office every so often for check-ups to make sure your therapy is going as planned. These appointments are usually quick and easy, and you don’t have to sit in the chair as long as you do for regular braces adjustments.
A lot of our patients want to know how comfortable clear aligners are compared to regular braces. Aligners are often thought to be more comfortable than metal braces, even though all orthodontic treatments cause some pain as the teeth are repositioned. There are no sharp brackets or wires on the smooth plastic that could hurt the inside of your lips and cheeks. When you first switch to a new aligner, you might feel some pressure. This is usually moderate and goes away in a few days as your teeth get used to it.
Consistency is very important for transparent aligners to perform well. We suggest that you wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day and only take them off to eat, drink, brush, and floss. This steady pressure is what makes your teeth move slowly and in a way that you can foresee. People who don’t wear their aligners as advised often have to wait longer for their treatment to finish. The good news is that most people find it easy to wear their aligners every day after the first week or two.
It’s easy to take care of your clear aligners. We suggest washing them out every time you take them out and then brushing them lightly with a soft toothbrush before putting them back in. Don’t use hot water since it can warp the plastic, and don’t eat or drink anything but water while wearing your aligners. To keep your aligners safe and sound when you’re not wearing them, put them in their case. Taking care of your aligners not only keeps them clean and clear, but it also makes sure they stay in the right shape.
The amount of time you need to wear clear aligners depends on your individual needs. Some instances might be done in as little as six months, while others could take 18 months or more. Most therapies take between 12 and 18 months, on average. We can give you a more exact timeline based on your specific situation during your appointment. Keep in mind that this schedule is based on the fact that you are wearing your aligners as instructed. The more you do this, the faster your treatment will work.
We at Specialty Smiles provide clear aligners for a number of orthodontic problems, such as crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. Although really severe orthodontic situations may still need traditional braces, aligner technology has come a long way in the last several years and can now fix many complicated alignment problems that weren’t possible with this form of treatment before.
We also offer Braces for Kids and Invisalign to younger children who might need orthodontic care sooner rather than later. Some parents are shocked to find out that their child’s orthodontic treatment might start sooner than they thought. The American Association of Orthodontists says that kids should get their first orthodontic checkup by the time they are seven. Sometimes, getting treatment early might save more serious problems from happening and make it less likely that you’ll require more comprehensive treatment later.
You will need to wear retainers after your clear aligner treatment to keep your beautiful smile. This is true for all types of orthodontic treatment, not only aligners. Retainers stop your teeth from slowly moving back to where they were before. At first, you might wear your retainers all the time, like you did with your aligners. But most patients choose to wearing their retainers exclusively at night for maintenance after a while.
We urge you to make an appointment with our staff at Specialty Smiles if you’re thinking about getting clear aligners in North Miami. We’ll look at your needs and help you decide if aligners are the best way to reach your smile objectives. Our skilled staff is proud to make treatment plans that are tailored to your needs and take into account your oral health, lifestyle, preferences, and budget.
It’s important to remember that clear aligners aren’t simply for making your smile seem better, even if it’s a great advantage. It’s easier to clean teeth that are properly aligned, which can lead to greater oral health and fewer dental problems in the future. Alignment can also help your bite work better and keep your teeth from wearing down unevenly. You’re putting money into both the look and health of your smile when you get clear aligners.
We know that beginning orthodontic treatment is a big step, and we’re here to answer any of your questions and concerns. At Specialty Smiles, we want to help you get the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve while also making your orthodontic journey as easy and stress-free as possible. We love being a part of our patients’ tales of change and look forward to being a part of yours as well.