Having a straight and beautiful smile is a desire shared by many. However, the thought of wearing traditional metal braces can be a deterrent for some individuals. Fortunately, advances in orthodontic technology have provided a fantastic alternative — clear aligners. In Anchorage, these innovative orthodontic appliances have gained popularity due to their discreet nature and effectiveness in teeth straightening.
Kids aren’t the only ones who need braces — more and more teens and adults are looking for tooth straightening results. Clear aligners such as Invisalign and Clear Correct give you beautifully straight and aligned teeth without the discomfort and appearance of metal braces — and your dental insurance will likely cover most of the cost!
In this post, we will explore the benefits of clear aligners and how they can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted without the hassle of metal braces.
Are you interested in hearing about clear aligner options in Anchorage? Reach out to Health Centered Dentistry today to schedule a free consultation.
What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are a type of orthodontic treatment that helps straighten teeth and correct various dental misalignments. They are a popular alternative to traditional braces. And most clear aligners are made of transparent, BPA-free plastic materials — and are custom-designed to fit over your teeth snugly.
At Health Centered Dentistry, we offer advanced orthodontic treatments to help you achieve a beautifully aligned smile and jaw position. With our expertise in utilizing cutting-edge methods such as Invisalign treatment and Clear Correct braces, we provide two of the best solutions for achieving straighter teeth. By employing state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology, we meticulously create digital impressions of your teeth, enabling us to craft a customized series of aligner trays. These trays are specifically designed to gradually and inconspicuously guide your teeth toward their correct position.
Throughout your treatment journey, each set of aligners will be worn for a recommended duration of a few weeks, for a minimum of 20-22 hours per day, ensuring the most effective progress.
7 Benefits of Clear Aligners
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign clear aligners and Clear Correct, offer several benefits compared to traditional braces. However, it’s important to note that clear braces may not be suitable for everyone, and the decision to use them should be made in consultation with a qualified orthodontist or dentist.
Dental professionals can assess your specific dental needs and provide guidance on the most appropriate treatment option for you. And the following includes a few popular advantages of clear aligners:
- Aesthetics
Virtually invisible when worn, clear aligners are a popular choice for individuals such as children, teens, and young adults who prefer a more discreet orthodontic treatment. This is because they are made from transparent materials, allowing your natural teeth to show through — avoiding the appearance of metal brackets and wires.
- Removability
Another great perk is that your virtually invisible aligners are also removable, which means you can take them out when you eat, drink, brush, and floss your teeth. As such, this feature not only helps you get straight teeth, it makes it easier to maintain good oral hygiene compared to traditional braces, where food particles can get trapped more easily.
- Comfort
Like Invisalign, aligners like Clear Correct are custom-made using smooth plastic material, reducing the likelihood of irritation or discomfort to the gums and mouth which is more common with braces that require fixed brackets. Additionally, they lack the metal wires and brackets found in traditional braces, which can sometimes cause discomfort, ulcers, or sore spots.
- Predictability and Convenience
Most dental services offering Invisalign, clear braces, or the like are designed using advanced computer imaging technology. And your virtual treatment plan is typically mapped out in advance — showing you the expected progress and the final result. This predictability allows for more efficient planning and shorter treatment times compared to traditional braces in some cases.
- Minimal Impact on Lifestyle
As a new technology and a more comfortable solution, clear aligners generally have a minimal impact on your daily activities and lifestyle. And since they are removable, you can also attend special events, participate in sports, or play musical instruments without any hindrance. Additionally, there are no dietary restrictions as you can remove the aligners to enjoy your meals.
- Improved Oral Health
Let’s face it, properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of oral health issues such as tooth decay and gum disease. And a new aligner can help in achieving better oral hygiene as you can maintain your regular brushing and flossing routine without any hindrance.
- Less Frequent Dental Visits
While the frequency of dental visits may vary based on individual cases, clear aligner treatment may require fewer visits to the orthodontist compared to traditional braces. With clear aligners, most people will typically visit the orthodontist for progress check-ups and to receive a new set of aligners.
What’s the Process Like for Getting Invisalign or Clear Braces?
Though the treatment duration may vary for some patients, you’ll likely be able to enjoy your everyday life throughout the entire process. If you’re a good candidate for getting clear aligners in Anchorage, new patients can often expect the following process to unfold:
- Consultation: You will consult with an orthodontist or dentist who specializes in clear aligner treatments. They will evaluate your dental condition, take impressions, X-rays, and photographs of your teeth, and discuss your treatment goals.
- Treatment Planning: Using advanced computer imaging technology, the orthodontist or dentist will create a digital 3D model of your teeth. They will map out a customized treatment plan, including the predicted movement of your teeth and the desired final outcome.
- Aligner Fabrication: Based on the treatment plan, a series of clear aligners will be custom-made for you. Each aligner in the series is slightly different, designed to gradually move your teeth into their desired positions. And the number of aligners needed will depend on your specific case.
- Wearing the Aligners: You will be instructed to wear each set of aligners for a specified period, typically around 1 to 3 weeks, before moving on to the next set. The aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day, only removing them for eating, drinking (except for water), brushing, and flossing.
- Progress Check-ups: Throughout your treatment, you will have periodic check-ups with your orthodontist or dentist. They will monitor your progress, ensure the aligners are fitting properly, and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
- Completion of Treatment: Once you have completed wearing all the aligners in the series, your teeth should have moved into their desired positions. Depending on your case, your orthodontist or dentist may recommend additional retention methods, such as wearing retainers, to maintain the achieved results.
Straighten Your Teeth the Invisible Way at Health-Centered Dentistry
At Health Centered Dentistry in Anchorage, we provide a variety of options for straightening your teeth. And our expert dental team will always provide you with holistic dental care — the type of care that addresses your overall physical health and emotional well-being.
Our clear aligner services give you the most inconspicuous option for straighter teeth. And though the right choice may be different for you than it is for someone else, we’ll always start with a consultation so that we can examine your mouth, assess the condition of your jawbone and gums, and recommend the best choice for your oral health.
When you choose HCD, you’re investing in your best dental health. And as a holistic practice, we’re always mindful of how your oral health affects your overall health — providing health-conscious dental care for all our patients. Whether you want to whiten your teeth or straighten them, as always, our dental team is here to help you understand the implications of each choice for dental services in Anchorage.
Looking for a holistic dental care expert for clear aligners? Set an appointment at Health Centered Dentistry to find the best solutions for your individual needs!
