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If you want to know how to straighten teeth, it’s worth knowing that orthodontic treatment is the only way to straighten your teeth and correct jaw alignment issues. Not only does orthodontic treatment address the aesthetics of crooked teeth and jaw misalignment, it makes keeping your teeth clean and free of decay much easier. Let’s take a look at how clear aligners can help you achieve your straightening goals. 

 

How To Straighten Teeth With Aligners And Orthodontic Braces?

Not everyone is born with a straight smile but with the appropriate orthodontic intervention crooked teeth and misaligned jaws can be straightened. Historically metal braces were the go-to orthodontics for everyone but in recent years, advances in modern dentistry have seen aligners grow in popularity.

Very popular with older adolescents and adults, aligners achieve the same teeth straightening results as traditional metal braces but offer the wearer a number of practical benefits that make the treatment much more comfortable.

 

How Do Clear Aligners Work On Crooked Teeth?

While traditional metal braces work by shifting the crooked teeth into the correct positions over a period of time using a bracket and wire system, aligners are fitted over the front of the teeth. They also apply pressure but, unlike metal braces which need to be adjusted to maintain the system of tension as the teeth move, the patient is given a few different boxes of aligners at the beginning of treatment.

Each set of aligners is designed to accommodate the teeth at a different stage in their progress so, when your teeth do shift into place (usually every two weeks), you simply swap the box for the next set in the series.

Aligners are worn for a similar period of time to orthodontic braces and while they may not offer an accelerated treatment plan, they do offer a number of teeth straightening benefits.

 

What Are The Benefits Of Aligners Over Traditional Orthodontics?

how to straighten teeth

Comfort 

One of the biggest disadvantages of metal braces was the level of discomfort patients experience.

And, while their designs have improved and they are much better than they used to be, aligners are still much more comfortable to wear. 

Aligners are made from special plastic which doesn’t irritate the gums and soft tissues the way that metal does

Fewer Visits To The Dentist

Your dental practitioner will give you a few boxes of aligners at your appointment and you will be responsible for changing them every two weeks. This means you don’t have to visit your dentist for adjustments to wires and brackets, which is much more comfortable and which also gives you more free time.

This way of working does give you more responsibility as the patient so it is important that you manage it accordingly. You must ensure you follow the correct sequence and change your aligners as instructed, in order to meet the goals of your treatment plan. 

 

Discreet Teeth Straightening

While aligners aren’t invisible, they are certainly much less noticeable than metal braces. This is especially helpful if you are an adult and have been avoiding orthodontic treatment because of aesthetic reasons.

In order to keep your clear aligners discreet it is important that you follow the care and cleaning instructions of the manufacturer. Any deviations can make the plastic discoloured, misshapen and generally more noticeable. 

 

You Can Remove Them For Eating And Drinking

You actually must remove your clear aligners for eating and drinking because food and beverages can stain the plastic if you don’t. Wearers of traditional braces tend to worry about food particles getting stuck in their braces but with aligners you do not have this problem. You do still need to brush after every meal and rinse your mouth before you put your aligners in but you don’t have the same food restrictions and discomfort as with traditional orthodontics. 

Even though you can remove clear aligners for eating you do still need to wear them for at least 22 hours a day, and you shouldn’t remove them for any other reason. Just the knowledge that they can come out makes many patients feel a lot less restricted than they do when wearing metal braces.

Any teeth straightening treatment plan must be followed up with wearing a retainer for a prescribed period of time. This is usually done at night or for a few hours every day to ensure that your teeth do not shift back into their former positions.

 

Do you still have questions about how to straighten teeth with aligners? It’s best to speak to a professional. Please contact us: (02) 8203 8760.

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