Straightening teeth has evolved significantly over the years, and clear aligners have quickly become a popular choice for many seeking a better smile. But how do these modern marvels accomplish such precise movements? Keep reading to get the Goings Orthodontics 411 on how clear aligners straighten teeth.
How Are We Able To Move Your Teeth?
As orthodontic professionals, we love it when we’re asked this question because it allows us to share our expertise on something we find really cool, which is bone remodeling!
If “remodeling” immediately makes you think of HGTV’s Chip and Joanna taking a hammer to drywall or knocking down cabinets, don’t worry. Bone remodeling isn’t destructive or messy.
To explain bone remodeling, we’ve got to ask you to forget about clear aligners for a brief second and instead think about braces.
Metal braces and ceramic braces consist of brackets, wires, and sometimes ligatures (the colorful or tooth-colored elastics that hold the wire to the bracket) that apply pressure to the teeth. This pressure, guided and adjusted by an orthodontist, causes the periodontal ligament (PDL) to shrink and stretch, which creates osteoclasts in response. Osteoclasts dissolve parts of the jaw bone, allowing the teeth to move. Next, osteoblasts come in and make more bone to hold the teeth in place.
Now, we get it if you’re shaking your fist and saying, “That sounds pretty destructive and messy to me!” But we can promise it’s not. Your whole body is constantly undergoing bone remodeling throughout your life, and you probably didn’t even know. How’s that for proof?
With this information in mind, let’s move on to clear aligners and how they work.
What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are a less visible alternative to traditional brackets and wires. But don’t let their subtle appearance fool you; they’re capable of doing almost everything metal and clear braces can.
Made from transparent, medical-grade plastic, the clear aligners we offer blend aesthetics and functionality, providing an almost invisible orthodontic treatment method. Each aligner is custom-fitted, utilizing advanced digital X-rays and 3D imaging technology to ensure a precise, comfortable fit over your teeth.
How Do Clear Aligners Straighten Teeth Without Brackets & Wires?
Since clear aligners don’t have wires for Dr. Goings to adjust, they apply pressure to the teeth using a series of slightly different aligner trays. The unique shape of each tray puts pressure on your teeth to kickstart the bone remodeling process. Whenever you progress to a new tray, usually every 5-10 days, it’s like the clear aligner version of a wire adjustment!
Invisalign First & Invisalign For Teens Aligners
At Goings Orthodontics, we also offer Invisalign First for kids and Invisalign for Teens. They work similarly to adult aligners by applying pressure and taking advantage of the body’s natural bone remodeling process. However, the following two modifications set them apart from the adult aligners and make this treatment method fit the needs of younger patients.
- Compliance Dot: Each aligner has a tiny blue dot that changes color only if the aligners are worn as directed. This allows you to check if your child or teen is actually wearing their aligners like they say they are. Clear aligners can’t work if they’re not actually being worn!
- Eruption Tabs: Not all of our younger patients have grown in all their adult teeth, and that’s okay! Invisalign has thought of that, too. Eruption tabs allow space for new teeth to emerge while also helping them align properly with their neighbor teeth.
Aligners vs Braces
Both are great options for a smile transformation, but they’re very different and have pros and cons. When contemplating whether clear aligners or braces are the right choice for you or your children, carefully consider several critical aspects:
- Diet: Clear aligners are removable. That means you don’t have to worry about your favorite foods breaking or damaging your braces! As long as you remember to take your aligners out when eating, you can munch on all the foods to your heart’s content!
- Oral Hygiene Routine: Maintaining stellar oral hygiene is a breeze with aligners. You simply remove the aligners to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would, ensuring no pesky food particles are trapped. In contrast, braces require more effort to keep clean, as food can easily get stuck in the brackets and wires, demanding thorough brushing and the use of special flossers or water picks to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Visibility: If you’re conscious about your appearance during orthodontic treatment, Clear aligners offer a significant advantage with its almost invisible aligners. They let you straighten your teeth discreetly, making it a popular choice among adults and teens. Metal and ceramic braces are more noticeable, so if subtly is your priority, Clear aligners are the way to go.
- Commitment: Clear aligners demand a high level of personal responsibility. To achieve the desired outcome, you must wear your aligners for the recommended 22 hours a day and keep track of them when you’re not wearing them. This requires diligence and a commitment to wearing and maintaining your aligners as directed. Braces are affixed to your teeth, ideal for younger patients or those who would rather not have to think about wearing or keeping track of removable aligners.
Find Out If Clear Aligners Are Right For You!
Choosing the right orthodontic treatment is a big decision, and we’re here to help! Whether you’re considering clear aligners or traditional braces, Dr. Goings and our team are ready to guide you every step of the way. Schedule a free consultation today in Fort Collins or Windsor to start your or your child’s journey toward a confident, beautiful smile!
Already a patient? Contact either of our two convenient locations and get answers to your questions!
