A Clear Path to Straight Teeth: Exploring the Benefits of In House Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a series of customized mouthpieces that provide a tight fit in your mouth, while also being unnoticeable. With such a product, the signs of dental treatment are intended to be less apparent in the eyes of others. Despite Active Aligners not being entirely invisible, the clear coverings fit comfortably over your teeth and are significantly less noticeable than the brackets and wires seen in traditional braces. 

Who can get clear aligners?

Since clear aligners are customized for a compact fit, they are more suitable for adults or teenagers. A child's mouth is constantly expanding and developing, so it is more difficult to straighten their teeth. 

Patients with small spacing issues, or those with some extent of crowded teeth, generally represent the ideal candidates for clear aligners. Those patients with extreme crowding, spacing concerns, or a biting issue (severe underbite, crossbite, or overbite), might require more extensive treatment to assist them. 

What to know before getting clear aligners in Ontario

You should consult our orthodontist, Dr. Eggert Boehlau, about using clear aligners because they are not suitable for all patients. If your dentist has experience treating patients with clear aligners, listen to their advice and perhaps ask to see pictures of those patients who previously relied on them. 

Why you should choose clear aligners rather than traditional orthodontic treatment

There are a few factors that make clear aligners a more effective option than braces: 

Discreet teeth straightening

Many patients will prefer our in-house active aligners because it is much less noticeable than the wires and brackets that are included in common braces. These are ideal for special events where you want to look your best, such as prom, a birthday party, a job interview, a wedding day, or an anniversary. 

They are removable

By being able to remove the clear aligners, you can reduce any discomfort that you might be experiencing at the time. You are able to remove them to eat, drink, and clean your teeth as usual.

Simplify your oral health cleaning

When you remove the clear aligners, you can comfortably brush and floss your teeth, whereas braces would be more problematic with the wires and brackets. Not only does this help you maintain good oral health, but there is less bacteria around your teeth and gums when clear aligners are utilized instead of braces. 

Less potential complications or emergencies

Patients with traditional braces have encountered numerous dental emergencies, whether that is due to a bracket falling off or a broken wire. With clear aligners, there is less of a likelihood of any dental issues occurring. 



Will clear aligners offer the same results as traditional braces long-term?

Although clear aligners can treat the majority of cases, there are more complex scenarios that will still have your dentist or orthodontist recommend braces. From the two, braces offer a greater force to shift teeth into the desired position. 

What to expect during treatment

After our orthodontist determines that clear aligners are the best method of correcting your bite, you will try on a few versions. Over time, the clear aligners will work to gradually shift your teeth and change their position. Every few weeks, you will receive a new aligner (made from a clear plastic or acrylic material) to ensure that your teeth continue moving into the proper position. 



How long will treatment last? 

The treatment time will depend on how much your teeth need to be moved, as patients with an extensively misaligned bite or crooked teeth will require a lengthier commitment. Typically, the treatment is 10 to 24 months in duration, but it will vary from patient to patient. 

How to care for your clear aligners

With good cleaning practices, you can ensure that your clear aligners do not have a poor smell when you put them on. Here are a few tips to keep your aligners clean: 

• Each night, rinse your aligners with water. 
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush your aligners with a clear liquid soap to remove debris and food particles. Be sure that you don't use the toothbrush that you brush your teeth with daily. 
• Rinse the clear aligners thoroughly once brushing has been completed. 
• Store them in a protective case when they are not being utilized. 

Simple things you can and can’t do while wearing your clear aligners

You can:

• Eat any foods 
• Drink all beverages 
• Remove them before brushing, flossing, or eating 
• Drink water while wearing clear aligners

You can't: 

• Expose your aligners to heat 
• Clean them with abrasive products
• Keep them in your mouth while eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth
• Damage them
• Smoke when you wear them 

Disadvantages to wearing clear aligners

Not as effective for complex concerns: patients whose teeth only require certain types of movement can benefit from clear aligners, but research indicates that they won't be as helpful for complex dental issues. 



They must be worn throughout the day

For the best results, clear aligners need to be worn for most of the day. 

Required removal

You have to remove clear aligners before eating or drinking. When you fail to, bacteria can grow along your teeth and gumline. 

Food restrictions

After removing the aligners, you might experience tooth soreness, in which case you would have to avoid harder foods. 

Celebrities who have trusted clear aligners

Various celebrities have utilized clear aligners and gained terrific results, including Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Anna Kendrick, Britney Spears, Billie Eilish, Demi Lovato, Serena Williams, and Zac Efron. 

It is never too late to consider using clear aligners for misaligned or crooked teeth, especially with how quickly the results are achieved. For more information, contact the group at Orthodontics at the Wireworks by calling our Yorkdale, Ontario location at (416) 781-4200 or our Barrie, Ontario location at (705) 737-0343.

Get a straight smile at any age