Frequently Asked Questions About Invisible Aligners
Invisible or clear aligners have become an increasingly popular option for our Warren, MI dental patients who want a beautiful smile. Like braces, invisible aligners are used to straighten teeth and correct bite and alignment issues. We love to help our dental patients get the smile they want, but before we suggest the best treatments possible, it’s important that a patient has all of their questions about their options answered. So, if you are considering clear aligners to straighten your teeth, here are some answers to questions we hear frequently.
Do Invisible Aligners Really Work?
Yes! clear aligners really do work, and they work very well. In most cases, a patient that needs braces to straighten teeth, can also use invisible aligners successfully. This isn’t always the case, but for most patients, invisible aligners can be a good alternative to wearing braces. Not only are invisible aligners good for straightening teeth, but in some cases they are successful at resolving other jaw alignment and bite issues.
But it Takes Longer than Braces, Right?
Not necessarily. It’s easy to think that because we aren’t sticking metal or plastic brackets and wires on your teeth that achieving a beautiful smile is going to take a lot longer. For some dental patients, clear aligners can make the process of moving teeth quicker, for some the time would be the same, and for others it may take a bit longer. Timing is a good deciding factor for some patients. If you want to have a straight smile, quicker, and you are one of those patients that will spend more time in invisible aligners than in braces, you may choose braces instead.
Aren’t Invisible Aligners just for Adults?
No, not any more. When the first invisible aligners hit the market in the early 1990s, they were intended to be for adults that wanted a straighter smile, but didn’t want the whole world to see them wearing braces. That was then. Today, invisible aligners are great for almost all patients over the age of 13. Once all baby teeth have been lost and the second molars are peeking through the gums, a patient can be fitted for invisible aligners. However, since invisible aligners are removed for eating, and can be lost in school lunch trash, braces might be a better option for your kids.
Do They Hurt?
Just like with braces, patients that are moving their teeth around using invisible aligners will experience a bit of discomfort for a day or two after starting a new set of aligners. This discomfort will go away in a few days, and can easily be managed using an over the counter pain reliever like naproxen or ibuprofen.
Well, They Cost More, Right?
For most dental patients the cost of invisible aligners and traditional braces are nearly the same. Because the technology used to create the aligners has improved so much, the cost of this type of treatment has decreased significantly over the last 10 years or so. If you were thinking that cost would drive you to braces, instead of invisible aligners, think again. You may find that they are very close in cost.
Searching For a Dentist in Warren, MI? Contact Gregory Apsey, DDS – Warren Dentist
Invisible aligners are a great way to achieve a beautiful, straight smile, without anyone knowing the difference. If you are thinking about invisible aligners to improve your smile, but still have questions, Dr. Apsey, a dentist in Warren, MI and the team at Smile Brightly have the answers you are looking for. To schedule a dental appointment for a consultation, call us today at (586) 573-7700.