When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, we offer our patients lots of options to choose from. They can enhance their smiles with bonding, veneers, or teeth whitening. But, one cosmetic treatment that can really transform your smile and oral health is clear aligners.
A lot of people prefer clear aligners because they are virtually invisible. But, do they work just as well as traditional braces?
Here's what you should know.
What Can Clear Aligners Fix
Clear aligners are plastic trays that put pressure on your teeth to gently move them into their correct position. They can be used to treat a variety of malocclusions:
- Crowding: Clear aligners can help with crowding, a condition in which there is insufficient space for all the teeth to fit in the mouth.
- Gapped Teeth: Clear aligners can also close gaps between teeth.
- Overbite/Underbite: With an overbite, the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth while in the case of an underbite, the lower teeth are too far forward. Aligners can help correct these malocclusions too.
- Open Bite: This happens when the upper teeth cannot touch the lower teeth when the mount is closed.
- Crossbite: This happens when the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned, causing one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth. Clear aligners can gradually move the jaws into the correct alignment.
But, Will Clear Aligners Work As Well as Braces?
While clear aligners can certainly address a wide variety of issues, their effectiveness can depend on several factors. Let's take a closer look and help you understand what you should keep in mind before choosing Clear Lake clear aligners:
- The Severity of Your Misalignment: Clear aligners are excellent in treating mild to moderate cases of misalignment. However, when it comes to more complex or severe orthodontic cases, traditional braces may be more effective. Braces can exert more powerful forces and are better suited for situations that require complex tooth movements, such as rotating teeth or moving teeth vertically.
- Your Level of Compliance: Unlike braces, which are permanently affixed to the teeth, clear aligners are removable. This can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it makes eating, brushing, and flossing easier. On the other hand, it requires a lot of discipline as you need to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day to be effective. Failing to do so can affect the success of the treatment.
- Your Oral Hygiene Habits: Clear aligners can be removed for brushing and flossing, making it easier to maintain good oral hygiene during treatment. However, if you are not careful and eat with your aligners on or fail to clean them properly, they might get stained or even lose their shape.
Are You Interested in Clear Lake Clear Aligners? Get in Touch!
Get in touch with the team at Legacy Dental Co. and find out if clear aligners in Clear Lake are right for you.
You can contact us online or call us at (281) 488-8463.
