Clear aligners are a popular alternative to braces for teens. This clear orthodontic device straightens teeth the same way as traditional braces but without brackets or wires. It is a great option for teens who want a straighter smile without visible orthodontic appliances that can make them feel self-conscious.
We provide clear aligners at Oak Tree Dental in Poway and the surrounding area. Our team can handle your teen's orthodontic needs. Call us today at (858) 748-2101 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Explore the options
Clear aligners are one option for teens looking for a different type of orthodontic treatment. Teens can benefit from their aesthetic appearance and a more comfortable treatment experience. Compared to other orthodontic options, clear aligners also cause less pain and reduce the number and length of appointments.
With typical metal braces, teeth are moved to a new position using brackets with wires threaded through them. Clear aligners use a series of custom-molded trays that gently move the teeth into place. Patients will use each tray for a week or two before moving on to the next one in the series.
“Clear aligners use a series of custom-molded trays that gently move the teeth into place.”
A time-saving treatment
Clear aligners can save patients time due to less frequent visits and a shorter overall treatment length. Patients can benefit from fewer visits and less time in the office. Other teeth straightening options such as braces can take more time and appointments. Braces usually require teens to have appointments about every four weeks to adjust their wires and check their progress.
In contrast, patients with clear aligners will receive the entire series of their trays at once and can switch them out at home. They will only need check-ups about every six weeks so we can check their progress. A BMC Oral Health study found that clear aligners had an advantage in shortened treatment duration over braces. The length of treatment will vary but takes 12-18 months on average. There is no risk for brackets or wires breaking, which can slow down the treatment process.
“Clear aligners can save patients time due to less frequent visits and a shorter overall treatment length.”
Feel better, look better
One of the biggest differences between braces and clear aligners is their respective appearances. Many teens prefer the near-invisible design of clear aligners to the visible wires and brackets of metal braces. Clear aligners are less easy to detect, which can help teens feel less self-conscious and more positive about their appearance.
There is also flexibility with clear aligners that traditional braces do not possess. Clear aligners are removable, which allows teens to eat and drink whatever they want. Since they are removable, is it also easier to brush and floss teeth to maintain optimal oral health. Keeping braces clean often requires additional tools and can take a lot of extra time.
“Many teens prefer the near-invisible design of clear aligners to the visible wires and brackets of metal braces.”
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Clear aligner wearers should only remove their trays while eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, and playing sports. Our team recommends that teens who play contact sports, such as football and wrestling, remove their aligners and wear a protective mouthguard over their teeth. These preventative measures will help teens avoid biting through their trays while playing sports. It will also protect their mouth and reduce their risk of injury. As soon as the game is over, patients should insert their aligners back in their mouths.
While it is acceptable to remove aligners for those activities, it is important to ensure sufficient wear time to prevent treatment delays. To get the best results, teens must wear their aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. These clear trays can only work when they are in contact with teeth. Failure to wear them for long enough can result in delayed progression and a revised treatment timeline.
“Clear aligner wearers should only remove their trays while eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, and playing sports.”
Questions answered on this page
Q. What is another orthodontic option other than braces?
Q. What are the benefits of clear aligners?
Q. How do I take care of my clear aligners?
Q. Are clear aligners a time-saving treatment?
Q. How long should I wear clear aligners?
People also ask
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Q. How do clear aligners compare to traditional braces?
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Q. What is the duration of Invisalign treatment?
Q. What are some of the types of cosmetic dental treatments?
Taking care of aligners
While aligners are easy to take care of, they do require teens to be proactive about cleaning. Dirty aligners can accumulate bacteria, which can cause bad breath and harm oral health. Like teeth, teens should clean their clear aligners every day to keep the treatment process moving forward. Once they remove their aligners, patients should use warm water and a soft toothbrush to scrub the trays. Teens need to rinse their aligners with cold water every time they're removed and never leave them out in the open.
Ideally, patients should only remove their aligners to eat or drink. Teeth should then be brushed and flossed before patients put back their aligners to prevent food particles from becoming trapped in the tray. Forgetting this step can lead to tooth decay and other concerns. When taken care of properly, clear aligners are less likely to cause cavities or tooth damage. Clear aligner treatment also improves the patient's overall oral health since straight teeth are easier to clean thoroughly.
“While aligners are easy to take care of, they do require teens to be proactive about cleaning.”
Frequently asked questions
After treatment, most people will receive a retainer. Retainers are important devices that prevent teeth from shifting back into the original position. Every patient is different, so it is important to speak to our orthodontist.
We will examine the patient's mouth to determine whether they are a good candidate during the initial appointment. Patients can also discuss their cosmetic goals with our team. If the patient is a good candidate, we may also start the digital molding process by taking digital scans, photographs, and X-rays to create an accurate model of their mouth and teeth.
The process of receiving clear aligners will usually take about three to four weeks. It takes this long because we must send the patient's information to the laboratory with notes about how the treatment should progress. This length may vary slightly depending on whether the virtual mold and the final projection of teeth movement require any changes.
Most patients will need to wear a retainer after any orthodontic treatment to keep teeth stable in their new positions. Each patient is different. We will determine the best course of action for each patient to produce optimal results.
Clear aligners may not be the best option for people who have complicated oral health and severe alignment issues. It may not be appropriate for very young patients whose jaws and teeth are still growing and developing. We do not recommend them for people with gum disease, receding gums, or weakened bones. Our team will help determine what the best options are for each patient's particular situation.
Invisalign® terminology
With Invisalign® treatment, the patient will receive a series of aligner trays and swap out each one for the next one in the series every two weeks in order to gradually straighten the teeth.
The blue compliance indicator is a small blue dot on the aligners that will fade from blue to clear in order to indicate if the patient is wearing the aligner for the proper amount of time and where the patient is in the Invisalign® process.
ClinCheck® software allows professionals to map out the straightening process the patient’s teeth will go through with Invisalign® in great detail.
The gum line is the line in the mouth where the teeth and gums meet. If a patient struggles with gum recession, then the gum tissue around the teeth may begin to wear away.
Incisal ridges are the portion of the crown of the tooth that makes up the incisal portion and can be a direct cause of overbite if they are extended too far.
An iTero Element® scanner allows professionals to create a 3D image of the patient’s teeth in minutes and predict what it will take to move the teeth into proper alignment.
Malocclusion is the condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the bite is closed. Conditions of malocclusion can include overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite; all of which are treatable with Invisalign®.
An overbite is a type of malocclusion that occurs when the upper teeth jut out over the lower teeth, covering them and causing other issues.
Polyurethane Resin is a USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight compound that makes up the Invisalign® aligners.
SmartForce attachments are small attachments that professionals place on the patient’s teeth before placing aligners to help move the teeth.
Smart Track® material is in Invisalign® aligners to increase comfort, improve control of movement, increases the speed of treatment and applies a gentle force to the teeth over time.
Call us today
If your teen is looking for an alternative for braces, clear aligners are a great option. Oak Tree Dental can help. Call us at 858-748-2101 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Individual results vary. How long a treatment lasts, and how it looks and feels, depends on each patient.