Clear aligners® treatment time depends on how much your teeth need to move and how consistently you wear your clear aligners. Most patients complete treatment within 6 to 18 months, but mild cases can take less time. For best results, clear aligners should be worn 20–22 hours per day, and you should follow your scheduled checkups so we can track progress and make adjustments if needed.
At Care For You Dental, we are regularly asked about aligners® and how effective it is at straightening teeth. This is an understandable question, because the process of using clear aligners is relatively new in comparison to wearing metal braces. As with any new technology, people often wonder, “Does aligners® really work?” and the answer is, yes. If you want a straight and beautiful smile without making it obvious that you are undergoing dental care, this is the best solution for you. As with any procedure, you will need to follow our instructions to ensure that your teeth move correctly and as quickly as possible. For example, aligners need to be worn for around 22 hours a day.
While removable, you must be careful to keep them in place for as long as possible in order to keep your treatment schedule on track. They need to come out while you eat, so they do not become damaged or warped. You should also remove them when drinking anything hot since that can also warp them. However, as soon as you are done eating and brushing your teeth, the clear aligners need to be replaced.
In our Las Vegas, NV dental office, we recommend that you put your clear aligners in a special container we provide, so they are not accidentally thrown away. Too many people have put their clear aligners in napkins, only to find that they are gone after lunch. Replacing them quickly is important, so be sure to keep their case with you instead of taking them out at home and waiting until you come back to replace them. This will help you to stick with the 22 hours a day requirement and keep your straightening plan on schedule. Doing so will take your teeth from crooked to straight in a short period of time.
Yes, clear aligners® was created for adult teeth. While braces are traditionally associated with children, the process of using clear aligners is better suited for adult teeth. This is because clear aligners® works using a series of clear aligners. Before the treatment starts, an impression will be taken of your teeth, along with measurements and pictures. These will then be used to create 3D images and project what your teeth will do when pressure is applied to certain teeth. The entire treatment plan will be created using high-tech computer software and input from our team of professionals. The clear aligners® lab will then make the clear aligners. Each clear aligners is designed to move specific teeth and to be worn for two weeks at a time before being switched out for the next one in the series. Since the aligners are created at the beginning of the process, it works best on adult teeth that are fully mature. Some older teens can also benefit from straightening their teeth with clear aligners®.
At Care For You Dental, we use clear aligners® to straighten teeth and to align the bite. It is a misconception that braces are the only way to address an overbite or underbite. While they are traditionally the most effective, clear aligners can correct a bite, as well. In order to find out if this process will work for yours, we recommend that you visit our Las Vegas, NV dental office. Call (702) 765-4018 to schedule a consultation so we can examine you, take X-rays, and determine whether or not clear aligners® is right for you. If your bite needs more adjustment than what clear aligners can offer, braces may be necessary or even oral surgery.
For the most part, yes. There are some cases where clear aligners are not able to address all of the issues with the teeth. In such a situation, we will let you know if clear aligners® can work to straighten teeth, but something else is needed to complete the process, or if you should try a different procedure altogether. In some situations, oral surgery may be necessary mid-way through. A perfect example is if your jaw is too far out of alignment to be corrected with either braces or clear aligners. In this case, patients start straightening their teeth and then have their jaw treated before finishing the procedure. These details are entirely dependent upon the position of your teeth and jaw, so we will let you know what to expect after your examination.
Yes, at Care For You Dental, we can supply you with clear clear aligners that are nearly invisible. They are made of a clear plastic that is durable, yet translucent. Few people will notice that you are straightening your teeth. It can take a few days to get used to wearing them, which could slightly influence your speech patterns. However, once you get used to wearing them, you will not have any issues. We usually recommend that you care for your clear aligners by rinsing them with water, brushing your teeth after eating, and cleaning your clear aligners with a special paste. You do not want to use traditional toothpaste, because it could scratch the surface of your clear aligners and turn them from invisible to visible. If you want to straighten your teeth discretely, be sure to exercise caution when cleaning and caring for your aligners. When you visit our Las Vegas, NV dental office, we can provide you with additional suggestions for how to take care of them.
You should be able to complete all of your activities while wearing clear aligners, except for eating and brushing your teeth. You need to take out your clear aligners while eating a meal, which means that you need to plan for snacking in order to prevent your clear aligners from coming out too frequently. The same holds true for when you are drinking hot coffee or tea, since the heat can warp the clear aligners. If you are playing aggressive sports, you may also want to remove them. However, we will make specific recommendations after discussing the sports you play or any other activities you engage in.
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We provide a wide range of dental services, including routine checkups and cleanings, emergency dental care, tooth extractions, root canal treatment, cosmetic dentistry (crowns, veneers, bonding), and dental implants.
If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, swelling, bleeding, or a broken/chipped tooth, contact us immediately. We offer emergency dental care and will try to schedule you as soon as possible.
Yes. We treat patients of all ages, including children. We also help patients with dental anxiety by providing a calm environment and discussing comfort options, including sedation when appropriate.