Clear aligner technology comes with benefits during and after treatment. It is a way to streamline your orthodontic treatment without drawing attention to care.
Most patients choose orthodontics for the following reasons:
- Bite Issues: Underbite, overbite, and crossbite
- Crowded Teeth: Overlapping, twisted, and crooked
- Gaps Between Teeth: Wide or unusual spacing
However, aesthetics is only part of the story!
Dentists may recommend clear aligners to improve your oral health and function.
In this blog, I explore:
- The Benefits of Clear Aligners in Indianapolis
- What Is a 3-D Smile Makeover
- Clear Aligner Therapy: Step-by-Step
- Tips for Successful Dental Treatment
- Orthodontic Treatment: Aftercare and Upkeep
- Other Cosmetic Dentistry Options to Consider
- Contacting My Dental Office to Get Started
The Benefits of Clear Aligners in Indianapolis
As written, clear aligners provide benefits during and after treatment.
During treatment, you’ll appreciate the discretion of clear, virtually invisible aligners. There are no metal and wires to contend with. Additionally, you can remove your aligners when brushing, flossing, and eating, so there are no eating restrictions. (You can leave your aligners in when drinking water only.) Made of smooth plastic, clear aligners are also more comfortable than traditional braces.
According to the American Dental Association, orthodontic treatment benefits your oral health as well. These benefits include:
- Less wear and tear on teeth
- Fewer dental cavities
- Decreased risk of gum disease
- Decreased risk of jaw joint issues
It’s important to remember that aligned teeth are easier to brush and floss effectively, which benefits your dental health.
What Is a 3-D Smile Makeover?
A 3-D smile makeover relies on digital dentistry for a precise outcome. This may include digital scanning, AI design, and 3D printing. It’s a way to provide our patients with predictable and desirable outcomes.
For my dental clinic, we scan your teeth digitally and map out tooth movements before starting treatment. We’re happy to show you the mockup!
Clear Aligner Therapy: Step-by-Step
Consultation
You meet with me in the dental office to determine candidacy and how long you’ll need clear aligner therapy. I set aside plenty of time to answer your questions and address your concerns. If you proceed with treatment, the next step is to take digital impressions and fabricate aligners.
Treatment Time
You wear each aligner in your series for approximately two weeks before moving on to the next. As the weeks and months go by, you’ll notice your teeth moving into straighter positions. During this period, you visit my dental office occasionally for monitoring.
Retention Phase
After treatment, it’s crucial to wear your fitted retainer as instructed. This retainer protects your new alignment.
Tips for Successful Dental Treatment
- Wear your aligners as instructed by your Indianapolis dentist.
- Wear your aligners at least 22 hours per day.
- Always brush and floss your teeth after meals.
- Keep your aligners clean using gentle soap and room-temperature water.
- Store your aligners in the correct case at room temperature.
- Follow all aftercare instructions provided by my office.
- Call my dental office if you lose or damage an aligner.
- Call my dental office if you have questions or concerns.
Orthodontic Treatment: Aftercare and Upkeep
After clear aligner treatment, it’s crucial to wear your retainer. This is a clear aligner that I provide. It aims to ensure that your new alignment does not slip back to pre-orthodontic misalignment.
The retainer protects your smile investment and helps ensure long-term success.
You’ll also want to continue visiting my dental office for checkups and teeth cleanings every six months as you did before orthodontic treatment.
Other Cosmetic Dentistry Options to Consider
In some cases, clear aligners are not suitable for your orthodontic needs.
However, if your issues are purely cosmetic, I can discuss alternatives, such as dental veneers. Porcelain veneers are thin shells that can conceal most tooth flaws, including mild misalignment.
Additionally, some patients have multiple issues they’d like corrected, so it’s perfectly fine to incorporate other cosmetic options into your treatment plan for a complete smile makeover.
Here are some of the treatments we offer:
- Porcelain Veneers: These shells hide everything from gummy smiles to short and worn teeth.
- Professional Teeth Whitening: Professional treatment removes stubborn tooth stains and discoloration, giving you a brighter, whiter smile.
- Tooth-Colored Restorations: Dental crowns cover a tooth to the gumline, concealing all flaws. Dental bonding is an inexpensive way to hide a range of imperfections.
- Tooth Replacement: We offer a wide range of tooth replacement options, from dental bridges to dental implants.
Contacting My Dental Office to Get Started
Orthodontics without metal and wires is a fantastic way to improve your oral health and smile aesthetics. To learn more or to book a consultation in my dental office, call today at (317) 899-1100. You can also book online.
My team and I work with Cherry Financing and invite you to ask about our Clerri Dental Membership plan if you don’t have dental insurance.
I look forward to helping you achieve your best smile.