Straight teeth and a confident smile can be yours in as little as 12 weeks with clear aligners

Clear aligners have been developed to combat misaligned teeth,  without the need for traditional, fixed brackets. These innovative aligner systems are designed using the latest 3D CADCAM technology to make sure that they are comfortable, convenient and look good. With clear aligners, treatment is discreet – meaning you no longer have to feel conscious about drawing any unwanted attention. In some cases, treatment can even be completed in as little as 12 weeks – depending on the degree of movement required. 

Straightening teeth with clear aligners happens in 4 simple steps.

•  Impressions
  Clear aligners are created solely for you. To get your custom-made aligners, your dentist must first take impressions of your teeth to send to the laboratory. Dependent on our dentist, this will be done with a 3D scanner or, more likely, a soft putty substance. The process is quick, painless and easy. These impressions will ensure accuracy, maximising the teeth straightening process.

•  Follow up
  Once the laboratory has received impressions of your teeth, these will be cast in plaster and scanned on to the computer using the latest 3D CADCAM technology. From here, a skilled technician will map the journey your teeth need to take in order to achieve your future smile. This then becomes your treatment plan and is sent to your dentist for your follow up appointment, along with before and after images, a short video showing tooth movement, and a set of pre-aligners.

• Check ups
  Once you are happy to proceed with clear aligner treatment, your active aligners will be made. The dentist will explain and help you understand how to maximise your treatment. Each aligner is designed to be worn for three to four weeks at a time, before progressing onto the next stage. The overall teeth straightening process length is dependent on the severity of your teeth, with most reaching conclusion in a few months.

•  Your new smile!
  Once you have finished wearing your last clear aligner, it is time to reveal that picture-perfect smile. To maintain the results, you will need to wear a retainer as per your dentist's instructions.

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The Benefits Of Clear Aligners for Teeth Straightening

The confidence you should feel when you smile can often be diminished if you have misaligned teeth. Furthermore, these problems can lead to a number of other problems, causing undue wear and tear on the natural structures of the teeth. Correcting these issues is an important part of improving your overall oral health. Fortunately, invisible orthodontic aligners can now make teeth straightening comfortable.

Clear braces provide numerous benefits:

Speed
Clear aligners produce excellent results within a fraction of the time that traditional metal braces do. In some cases, patients are known to have completed their treatment in as little as 12 weeks – though this is dependent on the severity of the malalignment. By comparison, the average treatment length for metal braces is 24 months.

Comfort
Fixing alignment issues with traditional braces can be an uncomfortable experience. Clear aligners remove this problem as they are custom-made to mold to the shape of your teeth and have a smooth surface – with no coarse edges. They are removable and do not have any metal that could irritate the sensitive surface of the mouth.

Confidence
Clear braces are rapidly rising in popularity, due to the discreet manner in which you can undergo treatment. Completely invisible, these aligners allow you to go about your day-to-day life – without drawing any unwanted attention. It is very difficult to distinguish clear aligners from your own teeth – a major benefit to many patients.

Hygiene
Unlike their metal counterparts, clear aligners are removable. Not only does this allow you to remove the aligners for important social occasions, it also ensures that you can clean your teeth correctly, without the obstruction of fixed brackets. This vastly improves your overall oral hygiene, something you can maintain throughout treatment. It is important, however, that you wear your aligners full-time in order to maximise results.

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How Do Aligners Work to Straighten Teeth?

A step-by-step method
Clear aligners consist of a series of custom-made plastic ‘trays’ that fit over your teeth and move them into the desired shape. In comparison to traditional braces, commencing orthodontic treatment with clear aligners is easy. Your dentist simply takes impressions of your teeth (whether with alginate or with a 3D scanner) and sends them off to the laboratory.

Your impressions will then be used to plan your treatment (the movements that your teeth will take), as well as to form a set of pre-aligners. The pre-aligners are designed to test the fit on your teeth, whilst also giving you a closer look at the appearance. Once you are happy, production on your treatment aligners will commence.

Each marginally different to its predecessor and successor, the aligners are designed to be worn for three to four weeks at a time before progressing. Treatment can take as little as three months, depending on the number of aligners required.

Orthodontic treatment works by using a subtle force to slowly shift teeth into a more desirable position. The subtle differences in shape used in these orthodontic aligners provides the force necessary to achieve these movements.

Factors that affect the efficacy of clear aligners

Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners are removable. Whilst this is a positive for many, it is imperative that you understand that treatment may not work as well unless you wear your aligners full-time. To achieve optimum results, you should only remove your aligners to eat and drink, or to clean your teeth. Inability to wear aligners as recommended could result in impaired results, or a longer treatment length.

By using them as guided, you can see an improvement in your teeth in as little as 10 weeks (the actual time needed would depend on the degree of teeth correction needed). Clear aligners are the best way to get the perfect smile, without changing your lifestyle or feeling self-conscious. 

Smilelign are a UK-based company that use the latest 3D CADCAM technology to produce your dream smile. To see patient testimonials, discover more about the process involved, and to find your local provider.

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