Clear Aligners Treatment

Clear aligners, such as Invisalign or SureSmile, have become the orthodontic treatment of choice for many dentists and patients. If you are seeking the benefits of an attractive, symmetrical smile but do not want to have to deal with traditional metal braces, Dr. Sherry Vakilian and the dental team of Dental Solutions of Encinitas can fit you with discreet and comfortable clear aligner trays.

Clear aligners offers many patients the chance to transform their smile without the downsides of traditional braces. You can live your daily life without clunky, uncomfortable brackets and wires, as clear aligners are nearly invisible and comfortable to wear. 

There’s no need to wait another day to get straighter teeth and a healthier smile. You can enjoy the benefits of a transformed smile in a few short months. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.

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Why Get Aligners?

Crooked or unevenly spaced teeth aren’t just cosmetic issues affecting your smile: they can negatively impact your oral health by putting additional strain on your jaw, shifting your bite, and wearing down your teeth. Thankfully, our team at Dental Solutions of Encinitas can resolve these orthodontic issues quickly and subtly with our innovative treatment.

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How Do Aligners Work?

Our orthodontic aligner treatment gently moves teeth through micro-movements. Traditional metal braces require periodic and uncomfortable wire tightenings. Clear aligner treatments are considerably more comfortable because the force is spread out evenly across your teeth. 

During your treatment you simply receive and wear new individual trays, switching once every couple of weeks. Each successive tray is slightly closer in design to your ideal smile. 

The Aligners Process

During your initial appointment and throughout the process, Dr. Vakilian will explain to you what is going on and how to use your clear aligners. Here are the general steps of the process:

  • You will be given a few sets of trays to take home.
  • New trays will need to be switched out every few weeks, depending on Dr. Vakilian’s instructions. We will schedule regular checkups with you to ensure that treatments are moving according to the treatment timeline.
  • Once you have used all of your trays and are 100 percent satisfied with your cosmetic results, a retainer will be made.
  • You will need to wear the retainer every night to ensure that your teeth do not shift out of place.

Have questions about the invisible aligners process and what to expect? Don’t hesitate to call our office with any questions you have.

What Can the Clear Aligners Treatment Fix?

Clear aligners, from SureSmile or Invisalign, are one of the most popular orthodontic treatments available today and for good reason. They can correct a wide range of issues all at once. Here are just a few examples:

  • Crooked Teeth
  • Overbite
  • Underbite
  • Crossbite
  • Open Bite
  • Gapped Teeth
  • Misaligned Teeth
  • Dental Crowding

If that wasn’t impressive on its own, our clear braces resolve these issues fast. Some patients can complete their treatment in as little as a few months. 

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How Clear Braces Improve Oral Health

Clear braces are designed to address a wide range of orthodontic concerns ranging from crooked teeth, dental crowding, or bite issues. By straightening your teeth, you gain a symmetrical, aesthetically pleasing smile and your overall dental care can also improve. 

A more uniform smile:

  • Stops your jaw from working harder than it needs to
  • Makes dental hygiene more effective
  • Lessens pain and infections
  • Prevents your bite from changing

Invisible aligner braces can do more than just improve the aesthetics of your smile. Depending on your dental concerns, these braces can also ensure a healthier, more functional mouth.

What Are the Benefits of Clear Aligners?

Here are some of the top benefits our aligner treatment offers our clients:

Nearly Invisible

Our aligner trays are made from transparent plastic material. This means, when worn, the aligner trays are practically invisible.

No Lifestyle Restrictions

Invisible aligner trays can be easily removed when necessary, so there is no disruption to your favorite activities like swimming, singing, or playing sports.

No Dietary Limitations

Because they can be removed before meals, clear braces don’t require any dietary restrictions.

Customized and Efficient

By using digital imaging technology, your clear braces are designed to meet your unique orthodontic needs, allowing them to correct your smile in half the time of traditional braces.

Higher Comfort

Invisible aligner trays are more comfortable than traditional metal braces, which rely on metal wires and brackets that have to be periodically tightened.

Candidacy Requirements

Most patients who desire a more attractive smile are great candidates for treatments, whether SureSmile or Invisalign. During your consultation and exam, Dr. Vakilian will determine if clear aligners can address your alignment issues. The following conditions may affect your case:

  • If you suffer from severe teeth misalignment or jaw malocclusions, you may require traditional metal braces. 
  • Candidates should also be willing to adhere to the 22-hour compliance rule. 
  • If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your teen, our orthodontic treatments offer special trays that feature a colored button that notifies parents when the trays are not worn for 22 hours per day.

The best way to know if you or someone in your family is a good candidate for Invisalign or SureSmile aligner treatments is by booking a consultation. During this appointment, Dr. Vakilian will take X-rays, examine your teeth, and learn your dental health history. 

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How Long Do I Need to Wear The Trays?

The answer to these questions varies from patient to patient. If the results you want are more minimal, you may only need to wear the clear trays for 12 to 18 months. For some patients, the process can take a bit longer. In rare cases, if you have only minimal orthotic covers, you can be done with the aligners treatment in around 6 months. 

Dr. Vakilian will discuss the process with you and give you an estimate of how long you’ll need to wear these braces. If you wear the aligners consistently, the process will go faster. If you sometimes forget to wear them as much as you should, this can draw out the treatment.

Can Children & Teens Have Aligner Treatments? 

Clear aligners are generally not used for children. With children’s orthodontic needs, specialized care is usually required as their teeth are still growing in and their mouths are changing size as they get older. So, metal braces or other treatments are best.

Teens, however, can be good candidates for aligner treatments. Once they have all of their adult teeth, Aligners, whether SureSmile or Invisalign, are a good way to correct mild to moderate orthodontic issues. Clear aligners are also a good option for teens who may feel resistant to wearing metal braces. With our aligners treatment, they may feel more comfortable as the braces are less noticeable. 

Clear Braces vs. Traditional Braces

You can always count on the committed professionals here at Dental Solutions of Encinitas to get you the smile you’ve always wanted, how you want it. If you need traditional braces we can recommend you to an orthodontist in Encinitas.

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces depend on brackets, bands, and wires to create tension that pulls your teeth into proper alignment. Traditional metal braces often come with strict dietary restrictions. Hard foods can damage brackets while sticky foods can cling to metal wires.

Traditional braces are an essential orthodontic treatment. There’s a reason they’ve been used for so long, as they allow for many adjustments to be made over time. Metal braces are still best for some patients who have more severe or specific orthodontic needs. 

Clear Aligners

Clear braces are far more streamlined, using aligners that rest atop of your teeth to gently apply corrective pressure to specific areas of your mouth. This allows for quicker adjustments as well as some additional benefits. Patients who undergo clear aligner treatments have no such restriction. The aligner trays can be temporarily removed while eating.

How Are Invisalign Aligners Made?

One reason our office loves Invisalign is its patented SmartTrack material, which closely hugs the surface of teeth to provide superior orthodontic results and unparalleled comfort. SmartTrack uses thermoplastic polymers and polyurethane resins for the aligners which make them virtually undetectable. That means you can get the orthodontic treatment you need without any of the distractions of traditional braces.

Invisalign clear braces are created using state-of-the-art digital imaging technology that is combined with advanced computer analytics. Not only will this make aligners specifically tailored to your needs, but it will also generate images to show you how the treatment will progress and what the end results will be.

Clear Aligner FAQs

You may have questions about the specifics of clear aligners and how they work. We welcome you to ask questions or bring up any concerns at your appointments, and you can also give us a call to learn more!

Our friendly staff are happy to help, and Dr. Vakilian can talk to you about the specifics of your orthodontic care. 

How many hours a day should I wear my aligners?

Most patients should wear their aligners around 20–22 hours per day. You should only take them out to eat, drink, or brush your teeth. Consistent use is essential if you want results.

Remember to wear your aligners while you sleep.

Are clear aligners uncomfortable?

While aligners are more comfortable than metal braces, some patients worry that this type of braces will still be awkward to wear. Of course, everyone’s experience is different, but overall, our aligner trays should be comfortable. Most patients don’t report issues with pain or tightness.

If you feel your aligner is causing you discomfort, Dr. Vakilian can help and make adjustments if necessary.

Can clear aligners treat all orthodontic issues?

Our aligner treatments, either SureSmile or Invisalign, are meant for mild to moderate orthodontic needs, such as some overcrowding or alignment issues. If you have severe orthodontic problems, clear aligners might not be right for you.

Dr. Vakilian will assess your teeth and mouth to determine if our orthodontic aligners treatment is a good option. If not, she can refer you to an orthodontist who can offer metal braces or other interventions.

Do I leave in the aligners while eating and drinking?

No, you should take them out when eating or drinking anything other than water. This is often one of the things people like about clear aligners. Because you can take the aligners out while you eat, you don’t have to worry about what you eat or your aligners being damaged.

We suggest removing your retainers because food particles can get stuck between your teeth and the aligner.

Can I do physical activity while wearing my aligners?

Yes, you can leave them in while doing physical activity if that’s comfortable for you. However, if you’d rather remove them, that’s also an option. You just need to ensure you’re wearing the aligners enough hours each day.

If you’re playing contact sports or doing activities that have a high risk of damaging your mouth, wearing a mouthguard or sports guard is recommended. We can custom-make these oral appliances for you.

How do I clean my aligner trays?

Cleaning your aligners is important. You can do so by removing the aligners daily, rinsing them with water, and brushing them with a soft toothbrush. Don’t use toothpaste to brush the aligners, as it can be too abrasive. Instead, you can use denture cleaning products.

Can other people tell I’m wearing the aligners?

Generally, no. Because the material used to make the aligners is clear and thin, most people won’t notice Invisalign in passing. However, the aligners aren’t completely invisible, so people you spend a lot of time around might notice. 

Despite this, clear aligner trays still look much more natural and discrete than traditional braces.

How often will I need to change the aligners?

This depends on how consistently you wear them. Generally, you’ll need new aligners every couple of weeks. This is how your teeth move. Each new aligner is slightly different from the last one, so the teeth will shift over time. 

If you don’t wear your aligners as instructed, it will slow down the process.

Can I get aligner trays if I’ve had braces before?

Yes. Actually, our SureSmile or Invisalign treatments are often a great option for patients who have already had braces. Patients in this situation usually don’t want to deal with metal braces again, so clear aligners are much more convenient and comfortable. 

In many cases, patients who have had braces before don’t need as major of an adjustment to their smile as those who haven’t. But, as always, it depends on the person. A consultation is still the best way to see if our SureSmile or Invisalign treatments are right for you. 

Schedule Your Consultation Today

At Dental Solutions of Encinitas, your smile is our passion. We are here to get you a healthy, beautiful you can be proud of. If you are ready to take the first step toward a more attractive smile, we welcome you to schedule your orthodontic aligners treatment today.

SureSmile or Invisalign aligners can correct mild to moderate orthodontic issues, so you can have a straighter smile that you feel happy to show off! Dr. Sherry Vakilian and the compassionate staff are here to help you get the results you’re looking for while having a comfortable experience in our office.

Call today to set up a consultation! 

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