Clear Aligners Rockwall
Greater Comfort & Convenience Without the Metal
Orthodontia has come a long way in providing patients with alternative treatment options so that metal brackets and wires are not the only way to achieve a straighter, healthier set of teeth. Dr. Bart’s use of clear aligners in Rockwall allows for effective correction while producing less visibility for a more confident daily appearance. Interested in learning whether this clear aligner solution is right for you? Call us today.
Why Choose Rockwall Crossing Orthodontics for Clear Aligners?
- Patients Feel Valued & Appreciated by Orthodontist & Team
- Long-Standing Orthodontic Team Provides Familiarity & Trust
- Hometown Orthodontist with More Than Two Decades of Experience
What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are removable trays that apply gentle, continuous pressure to teeth that require realignment. Crafted from precise impressions taken of your smile, these aligners are built to guide your teeth through treatment, encouraging them to shift into a healthier, straighter position. They are to be worn 20-22 hours a day and swapped out every few weeks. Although follow-up appointments are required, they require less time – only taking 15-30 minutes to ensure proper progression.
How Clear Aligners Work
A unique aspect of clear aligners is that they're not a templated, one-size-fits-all solution. Dr. Bart takes digital impressions of your teeth using our intraoral camera—no messy goo necessary. With these images, we can have aligners created specifically to fit over your teeth. During your treatment, you’ll wear your customized aligners for up to 22 hours every day, removing them only for meals and dental hygiene. They’ll stay firmly in place the rest of the day. Periodically, you’ll switch to new aligners as your teeth gradually move into their ideal alignment. Afterward, you’ll finally have that straight, spectacular smile you’ve always wanted!
Benefits of Clear Aligners
Clear aligners in Rockwall offer benefits that traditional braces simply can’t. That’s why they continue to be so popular, even 20+ years after their debut. If you are currently in the process of deciding whether or not this discreet orthodontic treatment is right for you, then you may find it helpful to learn why it’s so loved. Fortunately, this next section is dedicated to just that!
Subtle Appearance
Let’s start with one of the most well-known benefits of Invisalign: the aligners are virtually undetectable. That’s because they don’t have any metal components. Instead, they are crafted from smooth plastic and custom-made to fit snugly against your teeth. As a result, you won’t have to wait until the end of your orthodontic treatment to smile confidently!
Improved Comfort
If you had metal braces when you were younger, then you may remember how uncomfortable they could be. Fortunately, Invisalign aligners don’t result in soft tissue irritation. Plus, any discomfort that does arise from the movement of your teeth can easily be alleviated by placing a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, sipping on cool water, and taking OTC pain medication as directed.
Easy Maintenance
Since Invisalign aligners are removable, you don’t need to adopt a cumbersome oral hygiene regimen or buy special cleaning products. Just take them off, place them in their designated case, and proceed with your usual dental care routine. When you’re done, use a damp, soft-bristle toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to gently scrub your aligners clean. Then, you’ll be all set!
Fewer Dietary Limitations
In an effort to prevent common orthodontic problems, like broken brackets, patients with traditional braces need to avoid certain foods (i.e., whole apples, raw carrots, tortilla chips). That’s not the case with Invisalign. In fact, as long as you remove your aligners beforehand, you can enjoy all of your favorite foods on your journey to your dream smile!
Shorter Average Timeline
Another perk of Invisalign: the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months. Traditional braces, on the other hand, usually take 2-3 years. If you don’t have that long to wait because you have an important event coming up, then you should consider clear aligners! During your consultation, we can determine if you’re a good candidate and, if you are, provide you with an estimate of your treatment timeline.
Less Time in the Treatment Chair
With traditional braces, monthly adjustment appointments are necessary to ensure the continuous movement of your teeth. With Invisalign, however, you’re able to progress through portions of your treatment plan at home. Then, every 6-8 weeks, you’ll come to our office so we can make sure you’re on track with your treatment plan. If you are, then we will provide you with the next batch of aligners in the series.
Who Can Clear Aligners Help?
Good news: clear aligners aren’t just for mild spacing and crowding issues. In fact, this innovative orthodontic treatment can address a wide array of issues, including overbites. So, if you want a straighter smile, but you don’t want to deal with “metal mouth,” then you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with our team at Rockwall Crossing Orthodontics!
Crowded Teeth
Sadly, even relatively mild overcrowding can lead to several issues, including tooth decay and low self-esteem. That’s why it’s so important to explore your treatment options. At our office, we’re proud to offer clear aligners, which gradually and gently guide teeth into their ideal places (oftentimes, in just 12-18 months, too!).
Gaps Between Teeth
While some patients are struggling with overcrowding, others are struggling with noticeable gaps between their teeth. If that’s the case for you, then you’ll be happy to hear that we may be able to create the straighter, healthier, and more aesthetically pleasing smile that you desire with clear aligners! If that’s the case, then your orthodontic treatment will be completely metal-free.
Overbite
Now you know that clear aligners can fix overcrowding and spacing issues, but can they fix overbites? For patients with mild to moderate cases, the answer is often “yes!” So, don’t just assume that you need metal braces. If you’re a good candidate for clear aligners, then we can straighten your teeth and align your bite without compromising your comfort or drawing unwanted attention to your smile.
Underbite
If your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones, then trouble enunciating clearly, chronic jaw pain, and other issues can occur. In the past, the only solution was traditional braces. However, with the help of orthodontic accessories like rubber bands, clear aligners are often an option as well!
Crossbite
What if only two or three of your upper teeth sit behind your lower ones when you bite down? If that’s the case, then you likely have a crossbite. This orthodontic problem can negatively impact your oral health, which is why it’s so important to explore your treatment options. So, don’t wait – visit our team at Rockwall Crossing Orthodontics so we can determine if you’re a candidate for clear aligners.
Open Bite
An open bite is when there is a space between your upper and lower teeth that prevents you from biting down all the way. Like the other orthodontic problems on this list, it’s important to explore your treatment options before problems arise, like premature wear and tear on your teeth. If we decide together that clear aligners are the ideal solution, then we will get to work having a custom series made.
Clear Aligners FAQs
Do clear aligners hurt?
Since clear aligners have a low profile and smooth edges, they are actually quite comfortable! With that said, it is normal to experience some soreness and pressure as your teeth begin to move. To alleviate symptoms like these, we recommend sipping on cool water, placing a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, and taking OTC pain medication as directed. You can also switch to each new set of aligners in the series directly before bed so you sleep through the period of time when your teeth are moving the most.
Can clear aligners fix an overbite?
Yes, clear aligners can fix several common bite problems, including overbites. So, if your upper teeth protrude beyond your lower ones considerably, you should schedule an appointment with our team at Rockwall Crossing Orthodontics! From there, we can review your dental history, assess the severity of your case, and determine if you’re a good candidate for this subtle orthodontic treatment.
Are there any dietary restrictions with clear aligners?
To prevent your aligners from staining, warping, or breaking, you need to remove them before meals and snacks. As for dietary restrictions, we recommend steering clear of sticky, crunchy, and sugary foods, like caramel-filled candies, peanut brittle, and lollipops. Instead, focus on incorporating foods into your diet that will help keep your teeth and gums healthy, like seasonal fruits and vegetables.
What should I do if my clear aligners broke?
If your current set of aligners breaks, do NOT try a DIY solution, like superglue. Instead, call our Rockwall office so we can determine the best way to get you back on track with your treatment plan. For instance, if you’re only a day or two away from moving on to the next set of trays in the series, then we may ask you to make the transition now instead.
Will I need to wear a retainer after clear aligner treatment?
The short answer is “yes.” After all, without a retainer, your chances of experiencing orthodontic relapse skyrocket! So, it’s very important that you wear yours as directed. The good news is that they make retainers that closely resemble clear aligners. So, even if you have to wear yours during the day for the first few weeks, you won’t have to worry about unwanted attention being drawn to your smile.
How long does clear aligner treatment take?
Patients who choose to straighten their teeth with clear aligners in Rockwall often achieve the results they desire in just 12-18 months. As a result, if you start the process now, there’s a good chance that you’ll have a considerably straighter smile by this time next year! So, don’t wait – get in touch with us today to schedule your consultation.
Can I drink coffee with clear aligners?
As long as you remove your aligners first, you can drink coffee throughout your orthodontic treatment. However, if you normally sip on yours slowly throughout the morning, you should get in the habit of enjoying it with your breakfast since your aligners will already be off. Small tweaks like this will make meeting the daily wear time considerably easier.
