Your Invisalign® Provider
Choosing an orthodontic aligner is an important decision, and you want facts to help you make your choice. The dentists from our five Toronto locations (King-York Dental, Richmond-Adelaide Dental, Bay Adelaide Dental, Brookfield Place Dental, and College Park Dental) have you covered. Here are important facts you should know before choosing a clear aligner.
What do I need to know about clear aligners?
Clear aligners are removable orthodontic appliances that straighten your teeth just like braces do, only without the metal and wires. Clear aligners are made of a transparent plastic material, making them look nearly 'invisible' to the casual observer when worn.
Before you make your final decision on which orthodontic option to choose, we’d like to share some things you might want to factor into this important choice. Our goal is to help our patients make informed choices, so here are some things you should know about orthodontic treatment with clear aligners.
Clear aligners are a discreet orthodontic treatment option.
Your clear aligners will be custom-made to precisely fit your teeth, gradually moving them into their proper positions over a period of time, as prescribed by your dentist.
Clear plastic aligners are almost invisible when on your teeth, making them difficult for others to see. For this reason, they may be preferable to metal braces for those patients who are concerned with how their teeth will look while they undergo orthodontic treatment.
Clear aligners can often treat dental issues quickly and efficiently.
Every smile is unique, nonetheless most clear aligner patients begin to see results of treatment within a few months as their teeth begin to straighten and the treatment plan takes effect.
With your adherence to the instructions contained within your treatment plan, excellent at-home oral hygiene, and check-in visits to your dentist, you will soon be able to see and feel the difference in your mouth.
Think about how often and for how long you eat each day.
For your clear aligners to have the intended effect, you’ll need to wear them for about 22 hours per day.
That means your eating and drinking schedule will need to fit comfortably within a two-hour time slot. While this may seem daunting at first, you will soon see some side benefits. For instance, you can say goodbye to mindless snacking (and the impact it can have on your waistline).
Don’t be alarmed if your teeth feel loose.
Because your clear aligners will be gradually straightening your misaligned teeth, your teeth may feel loose when you take your aligners out. Don’t worry - we can assure you this is normal as they move and realign in their new positions.
You’ll level up on brushing.
Each time you take your aligners out to eat or drink, you should brush and floss before placing them back in your mouth.
That’s because food particles can become trapped between your teeth and the aligners, which would be uncomfortable – and bad for your teeth. It can also result in the aligners turning yellow – yuck.
You will need to keep your aligners thoroughly clean.
Just like your teeth need to be cleaned each time you eat or drink, you’ll need to clean your aligners as well. You shouldn’t use toothpaste to clean them, as it contains abrasive ingredients that can scratch your aligners. Instead, clean them with clear aligner cleaning crystals, denture cleaner, or Retainer Brite.
You may feel more comfortable removing and replacing aligners in private.
Due to the snug fit of your aligners, you may at times find it challenging to remove them and return them to your mouth when you’re done eating or drinking. For this reason, you may be more comfortable doing this in a restroom, especially at first.
Clear aligners can treat a wide range of dental health issues.
Patients who come to us asking about clear aligners often wonder whether they’d be a candidate. The only way to find out is to ask and visit your dentist for a consultation.
Depending on which clear aligners you’re considering, they can be used to fix a variety of issues, from gapped, crowded or crooked teeth to overbite and crossbite. We would be happy to assess your smile and help you find out if you’re a candidate for treatment with clear aligners.
Retainers are important following any orthodontic treatment.
Your orthodontic treatment may not be quite finished after your wear the entire series of clear aligners as prescribed by your dentist. Wearing a retainer after the main course of your treatment will help to ensure your straight new smile stays in its place.
Our dentists are here to support you each step of the way.
Although opting for clear aligners to correct your dental issues may come with its challenges, our dentists are here to support you 100% of the way. Our dental team will be just a phone call away to provide you with answers or advice. And in the end – you’ll have a healthier, straighter smile you'll be proud to show off.