The video helps to illustrate why it’s worth investing in straightening your teeth. But why do patients specifically choose clear aligners to straighten their teeth?

The biggest benefits of clear aligners are that they are discrete and removable. You take them out to eat, which means you don’t have to worry about avoiding apples or popcorn (like you do when you’re wearing braces).

The fact that they’re removable also makes them easy to clean, and they can be a lot more hygienic than braces for this reason.

However…

Their biggest strength is also their biggest weakness.

The fact is… 

Clear aligners are removable, which means that if you’re not committed to treatment, you can end up in some really tricky situations.

The Potential Dangers Of DIY Clear Aligners

Now that we’ve covered what clear aligners are, how they work, and who they’re generally a good fit for, let’s look at the potential dangers of the DIY systems you’ll likely see advertised.

The fantastic video from Invisalign (embedded below) helps explain the hidden issues with crooked teeth. Many patients do not realise that crooked teeth are much more than just a cosmetic issue.

Crooked teeth can potentially lead to extensive damage and decay, and this video does a brilliant job of explaining how this happens.

Why Use Clear Aligners?

So how on earth does a little plastic tray straighten your teeth?!

Well…

You’ll receive a series of clear aligners depending on how complex your case is. For example, you might receive a set of 12 aligners for a simple case, or 24 aligners for a more complex case.

How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Clear aligners are 3D-printed orthodontic trays. They look a little bit like a mouthguard, but they’re made of thin, clear material that is barely visible to other people.

They’re an incredible engineering feat: thin enough to be comfortable in your mouth and very discreet, while also being strong enough to move your teeth so you can finally have the straight teeth you want, without wearing braces.

You’ll receive a series of clear aligners. So you start with Aligner #1, then 1-2 weeks later you switch to wearing Aligner #2, etc. right up until the end of your treatment plan. Each new aligner is slightly different from the last, which is how they gradually move your teeth into a new position.

What Are Clear Aligners?

Patient Smile Transformations

When clear aligners were first approved by the FDA in 1998, they were sometimes limited in the types of orthodontic cases they could treat. But technology has advanced so drastically in the last 22 years, and millions of patients have received clear aligner treatment, so the cases that are now being treated with clear aligners are truly astounding.

Common issues being treated with clear aligners include:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Gapped Teeth
• Open Bite
• Overly crowded teeth

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While most cases can be treated using clear aligners, they’re not the right option for absolutely everyone. To find out if clear aligners are right for you, book a consultation with Dr David Kerr to receive complimentary scans and x-rays, and discuss your unique orthodontic needs.

What Problems Can Clear Aligners Fix?

Before you start wearing your aligners, Dr David Kerr secures small, tooth coloured attachments to some of your teeth which give the aligners something to grip onto. These attachments are discrete and don’t harm the enamel on your teeth in the same way that braces can.

Each new set of aligners will ‘click’ onto the attachments on your teeth, which hold them in place. They’ll feel snug for the first few days after you change them. This is totally normal. Regardless of which orthodontic treatment you choose, whether you get traditional braces or clear aligners, you’re going to feel pressure on your teeth in order to get them straight.

After wearing your aligners for one to two weeks (depending on your unique treatment plan), you switch out the trays and start wearing your next set of aligners. As you progress through wearing your trays, we assess your progress to make sure the tooth movements are happening in the way they should.

As Dr David Kerr discusses in detail during our Clear Aligner Information Evening, even orthodontic cases that look simple can actually be complex, which is why it’s absolutely essential to have a skilled orthodontic provider monitoring your progress and adjusting your treatment plan as needed.

Braces don’t require any willpower to be effective.

They’re attached to your teeth and you’re stuck with them.

You might not like them, you might be embarrassed by them, and you might find them hard to clean. But at the end of the day, you’ll have straight teeth because they’re always attached, regardless of how you feel.

But clear aligners require a little more willpower.

You can’t just think, “oh, I’ll take them out for a few hours while I do this thing.”

Nope. It doesn’t work like that.

Your clear aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours every day, only removing them for eating and drinking.

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Generally speaking, clear aligners are very popular with adults.

Our oldest orthodontic patient so far was in her 70s. And at Today’s Dentistry, our adult patients are generally thrilled to have a discreet option to straighten their teeth.

Most adults are perfectly happy wearing their aligners for 22 hours a day. They’ve often wanted to straighten their teeth for years and they’re fully committed to the process. They’re willing to do whatever it takes to get a straight smile, and they love that clear aligners are discrete.

However…

Teenagers can be a little less reliable at wearing their clear aligners. If you are a parent and your teenager is keen to get clear aligners, we highly recommend sitting down with them and watching the replay of Dr David’s Clear Aligner Information Evening. Then talk openly and honestly with your teen about how likely they are to wear their aligners. If they can’t fully commit to the process, they might need to choose traditional braces.