7 Benefits of Wearing Clear Aligners
It’s never too late to get the smile of your dreams. If you want to avoid traditional metal braces, ask Dr. Nichols if you’re a candidate for clear aligners. Our cosmetic dentist in Grand Rapids, MI, would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about clear aligner treatment.
Unlike metal braces, aligners are discreet and removable. This means that you’ll be able to straighten your smile without drawing attention from other people. It also means that you’ll be able to continue eating your favorite foods.
That being said, here are the seven benefits of clear aligner treatment.
1. Comprehensive Treatment Planning
You’ll need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nichols to determine if you’re a candidate for clear aligners. During your appointment, our dentist will help you compare the with metal braces.
If Dr. Nichols determines that you’re a good candidate for , he’ll create a comprehensive treatment plan to improve the appearance and health of your smile. That way, you’ll know how long you’ll need to wear aligners and what results you can expect.
Learn More: Clear Aligners vs. Metal Braces →
2. Feel Confident with Discreet Aligners
Aligners are a great option if you think you’d feel self-conscious with traditional metal braces. Our orthodontic aligners are made out of a clear plastic and fit snugly against your teeth. In fact, no one should even realize that you’re wearing your aligners unless they’re standing close.
Clear aligners are also ideal if you have a public-facing job or otherwise need to make a good first impression.
3. Eat Your Favorite Foods
Clear orthodontic aligners are removable, which means that you’ll be able to continue eating your favorite foods during treatment. This is different from what we tell patients with metal braces who need to avoid sticky and/or hard-to-chew foods.
The only thing we recommend for patients with clear dental aligners is to always brush their teeth after eating. Otherwise, they risk staining their aligners and increasing their risk of tooth decay.
The last thing you want is to trap bacteria and food particles against your teeth for hours at a time. Brushing your teeth is an easy way to prevent this. Simply carry a travel toothbrush and toothpaste with you when you’re away from home.
4. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
It’s much easier to practice good oral hygiene when you can remove your orthodontic aligners to brush and floss your teeth. Patients with metal braces have to put in more effort to maintain a healthy smile during orthodontic treatment. For example, they have to thread the floss under the wire around each individual bracket in their mouth.
When we remove a patient’s metal braces, we may notice staining on the teeth if they’ve neglected their oral hygiene during treatment. They may also have other issues such as cavities and gum disease.
5. Avoid Uncomfortable Mouth Sores
Metal brackets and wires can irritate your cheeks. The good news is that clear aligners are made out of smooth plastic. As such, they’re much less likely to irritate the soft tissues inside your mouth. This also greatly reduces your risk of having uncomfortable mouth sores during orthodontic treatment.
6. Straighten Your Teeth in as Little as 12 to 18 Months
A lot of patients are unsure about orthodontic treatment because they’re worried about how long it’ll take. This is understandable considering that some patients may need a longer treatment period to bring a jaw forward or correct other bite issues.
Most patients who need clear aligners have a treatment period between 12 and 18 months. But it’s important to remember that each patient is different. Your treatment time will depend on the complexity of your case. It’ll also depend on you wearing your aligners at least 20 to 22 hours per day so you don’t lose any progress.
7. Improve Your Oral Health
Plaque loves to hide where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. For example, plaque may build up between teeth that are crooked and/or crowded. Once we’re able to straighten your teeth, plaque will have fewer places to hide. It’ll also be easier for you to brush and floss your teeth so you can maintain a healthy smile for life.
Book a Consultation for Clear Aligners
Dr. Michael Nichols is an experienced . As such, he’d be more than happy to determine if you’re a candidate for clear aligner treatment. To request an appointment, please call Nichols Family Dentistry at (616) 333-8496. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.