Clear teeth aligners, like those from Invisalign and ClearCorrect, in many ways are a great alternative treatment to orthodontia you may be familiar with, like wire braces. Individuals receive new custom, nearly invisible aligners every two weeks or so that gradually push teeth closer and closer into alignment.
Many adults find that Invisalign and ClearCorrect are a convenient and cost-effective treatment for aligning teeth without the hassles that come with braces. That being said, clear aligners aren’t the best treatment for everyone looking to straighten their smile.
Consider asking yourself the questions below and speak with our local Wasilla dentists to determine if Invisalign or ClearCorrect aligners are the right teeth alignment treatment for you.
Do You Suffer From Extreme Malocclusion?
Invisalign and ClearCorrect treatments are designed for individuals with minor crookedness or imperfections in their smile. A small gap between teeth or a couple of teeth that have shifted can be brought into alignment within a few months.
However, in cases where an individual has extremely crooked or misaligned teeth, our dentist may recommend traditional wire braces. A patient with a large overbite or overly crowded teeth, for example, may not experience the same great results with clear aligners as a patient with just a few teeth out of place.
Schedule a consultation appointment with our dentists in Wasilla, AK (also serving patients in Palmer and the entire Mat-Su Valley). By looking at how severe your malocclusion is, they will be able to recommend the best treatment going forward that’s specific to your dental needs.
Have You Had Braces or Clear Teeth Aligners Previously?
Many patients who had previous orthodontic treatment years ago for misaligned teeth choose to get clear teeth aligners later on for realigning teeth that have shifted out of place.
Previous treatment usually indicates that teeth aren’t terribly misaligned now. This makes these individuals some of the perfect candidates for Invisalign retainers or ClearCorrect teeth aligners because malocclusion is not too extreme.
Are You Concerned about Others Noticing Aligners?
Having braces as a teenager isn’t all that glamorous, but most teenagers aren’t in it alone. For adults, however, even if they would like straighter teeth, most would agree that they don’t want braces to affect the way they look. Many feel embarrassed and attempt to hide their braces when out with friends.
Another benefit of ClearCorrect and Invisalign aligners are how unnoticeable they are! Most people won’t be able to tell that you’re wearing retainers or aligners at all. You get the straight smile you’ve been wanting without needing to cover it up during treatment.
How Quickly Do You Want to Align Your Teeth?
The length of treatment is dependent on that degree of malocclusion you experience. If you suffer from a large over or underbite, or another severe form of misalignment, treatment with clear aligners will take much longer.
On the other hand, perhaps your smile only has a few crowded, crooked, or gapped teeth. Then Invisalign and ClearCorrect clear aligners will help correct those smaller imperfections in less time than other orthodontic treatments. Sometimes treatment only takes a few months to complete!
Will You Wear Your Invisalign or ClearCorrect Aligners Diligently?
The final question to consider is how willing and motivated you will be to wear aligners consistently. With braces, a patient doesn’t have the choice to simply slip braces off and on as they please. But with clear retainers or aligners, it’s a different story.
Our Wasilla dentists will ask that you remove clear aligners when you eat and brush your teeth. This is a convenience that persuades many individuals to choose Invisalign or ClearCorrect treatment in the first place. You won’t need to avoid certain sticky or hard foods during treatment. You’ll also keep teeth cleaner and free from plaque buildup that commonly forms around metal braces.
But the catch is that for treatment to work effectively, you need to wear aligners around 20-22 hours a day. If you fail to wear aligners for a majority of the day and while you sleep, it will take longer to achieve the great results this treatment can offer.
Invisalign and ClearCorrect take self-discipline and dedication on the patient’s end to work well. But when they do, you’ll love the end result!
Learn More About ClearCorrect and Invisalign in Wasilla!
The best first step to take if you are considering Invisalign or ClearCorrect aligners is to meet with a provider near you. For individuals in Palmer, Wasilla, and all of Alaska’s Mat-Su Valley, visit Meridian Dental! We are proud to provide these convenient clear aligners to patients with less extreme malocclusion who want a straighter smile.
Contact us to book a consultation appointment with one of our cosmetic dentists today!
