16.12.2022

How Do Clear Aligners Straighten Your Teeth

Clear Aligners are one of the most popular forms of orthodontic treatment, but how exactly do they work to straighten your teeth? Keep reading to find out.

What Are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners are custom-made invisible braces that patients wear over time to achieve straighter teeth.

The main appeal of clear aligners is that they're removable, comfortable, and practically invisible - something which makes them particularly attractive to those who are conscious about their appearance.

Unlike traditional metal braces, clear aligners are molded to cover the whole tooth, and therefore need to be removed to eat, drink, and brush your teeth.

What Dental Issues Can They Fix?

Clear aligners can actually treat a surprising array of dental issues, such as:

  • Crowded Teeth
  • Crooked Teeth
  • Overbite
  • Underbite
  • Gapped Teeth
  • Open bite

Whether or not clear aligners are an effective dental treatment all depends on the severity of the above issues. A licensed dentist or orthodontist will be able to advise you on this. 

What Are They Made Of?

ClearCorrect clear aligners

Clear aligners are made out of plastic, although some market leaders have developed sophisticated technologies that make their aligners more comfortable, discreet, and effective than others. ClearCorrect, for example, uses patented ClearQuartz™ technology to create their aligners, which offers superior comfort and stain and crack resistance.

How Does Clear Aligner Therapy Work?

Clear aligners work by applying gentle pressure on your teeth so that they align over time. This pressure travels through the roots of your teeth all the way to your jaws, which force the teeth sockets to move into a better position. 

Patients will receive several aligners to wear throughout their treatment, although the numbers can increase depending on the severity of the case. These trays must be worn 22 hours a day to be effective, and must only be removed to eat, brush and floss.

How Do Clear Aligners Straighten Your Teeth?

There are a number of ways through which clear aligners straighten your teeth. 

Engagers

Engagers are little tooth-coloured bumps of composite material that your dentist or orthodontist will bond to your teeth during treatment. These help add pressure on your teeth from your aligners, so that they move in the right direction. 

Elastics

In some cases, your clear aligner treatment may require elastics - a rubber band that connects the top and bottom rows of your teeth. These are typically hooked onto slits in the aligners or buttons on the teeth, and are especially effective at improving the alignment of your bite. 

How Long Do Clear Aligners Take to Straighten Teeth?

The exact length of treatment depends on the severity of the malocclusion.

Each new set of aligners will move your teeth slightly before you move on to another set of aligners, every 2-3 weeks, according to the wear schedule established by your doctor. This means that if just a few of your teeth are slightly out of alignment, your treatment may only last six months (as long as your wear schedule is adhered to). However, patients with more complex alignment issues may require treatment for up to two years or longer.

It’s worth noting that if you don’t wear the aligners for 22 hours a day as instructed, the treatment will be prolonged and much less effective. And while this may seem like a serious commitment, you could begin to see results after just 4-6 weeks of beginning treatment. 

How Do Clear Aligners Compare to Traditional Braces?

Both traditional braces and clear aligners are excellent options for achieving a straighter smile and better oral health. However, both options have their respective pros and cons.

Traditional Braces

Pros

  • May be more suitable to treat severe malocclusion (although this is totally dependent on the case)
  • Wearers can brush and eat without having to remove them

Cons

  • Aren’t discreet at all and may make the wearer self-conscious
  • Can be very uncomfortable due to the friction caused between the brackets and wires
  • Can’t be removed
  • Make it difficult to clean teeth properly - food gets easily trapped inside
  • Typically take longer to work than clear aligners
  • Require frequent and sometimes emergency trips to the dentist or orthodontist

Clear Aligners

Pros

  • Are almost invisible to the naked eye
  • Can be removed to eat, drink, brush, and floss
  • Are comfortable compared to traditional braces
  • Can increase oral health by encouraging better dental hygiene 

Cons

  • Require teeth brushing after every drink and snack
  • Can be expensive depending on the severity of your case

Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to orthodontic treatment, as everyone’s teeth are different. We always recommend consulting an expert to find out which is best for you. 

How Can I Get Clear Aligner Treatment?

It’s essential to speak to a registered dentist or orthodontist before deciding to get clear aligners. Doing so will ensure that you’re fully informed and on track to receiving the most suitable treatment for your case. Why not visit our website to book an appointment with one of our dental experts?

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