How Long Does it Take Clear Aligners to Work?

Clear aligners have made orthodontic treatments a lot more subtle. There are many people who need to improve their teeth alignment, but they are hesitant to get the treatment they need because they are worried about having to wear unsightly looking metal braces. If you are one of these people, clear aligners provide a more subtle way to deal with cheap alignment issues.

Thanks to clear aligners, orthodontic treatments no longer have to compromise the appearance of a patient's mouth.

Clear aligners can be used to fix dental problems like:

• Crooked teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Overcrowded teeth

Treatment times for each patient often varies based on how severe their orthodontic issues are. It can be as little as a few months or as long as a few years.

How clear aligners work

Clear aligners work using the same principle as traditional metal braces. The device applies a force to the patient's teeth, gradually pushing them to the desired position. At the start of the treatment, the patient gets several trays that are used over the course of their treatment. Each is worn for about two weeks before being switched out and replaced with another set that takes it just a little bit closer to the desired position.

Unlike traditional metal braces, clear aligners can be easily removed for meals or when it is time to clean the mouth. It allows the wearer to enjoy all of their favorite foods while making oral hygiene a lot easier

What to expect when you start clear aligner treatments

Orthodontic treatments with clear aligners start with a consultation with a dentist. A profile will be created for each patient which includes:

• A 3D scan of the patient's teeth
• Photos of the patient's teeth
• X-rays

This information is used to determine if the patient is a good candidate for clear aligners. If the patient is deemed eligible, the dentist will use the 3D image of their teeth to create a computerized model. This helps to ensure each tooth gets the right amount of force it needs to be properly realigned. Depending on how bad the person's teeth alignment issues are, they might need anywhere from six to 48 sets of aligners to fix their smiles. This inevitably determines how long the patient's treatments will last.

Each aligner tray moves the patient's teeth about .33 millimeters before it is replaced with another that will do the same. On and on it goes until the patient's teeth have been properly aligned. There are apps that those who would like to have their treatment times shortened can use to monitor the movement of their teeth. This allows the patient to progress to the next tray instead of waiting the standard two weeks before switching out aligner trays.

To get the most out of their treatments, patients are advised to wear their aligners for at least 22 hours each day.

Put your teeth alignment issues behind you

The average patient's treatment time with clear aligners is about 12 months, and you can shorten that by wearing the device as recommended and switching out mouth trays as soon as your teeth are ready for the next set.

Stop by our Sterling clinic to learn more about how clear aligners can fix the poor alignment of your teeth.

Get started today!

Request an appointment here: https://www.titandentalcare.com or call Titan Dental Care at (703) 745-3227 for an appointment in our Sterling office.

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