Tips To Maintain A Bright Smile With Clear Aligners

For most patients, the idea of clear aligners brings a sigh of relief. All of the effectiveness of braces… without the braces! But there’s still a learning curve, which is why One Love Orthodontics wants to give you some tips to maintain a bright smile with clear aligners.

How They Work

We’re lucky to print our clear aligners in house! We use a special material called SmartTrack that is free from substances like BPA, BPS, latex, and gluten, making it safe for the vast majority of patients. Here’s a summary of what this journey looks like:

1. Initial Consult: You’ll come into the office to discuss this option with Dr. Dayan, as well as your personal goals and concerns. If it’s a good form of treatment for you, we’ll get started.
2. Digital Scanning: We take a detailed 3D scan of your teeth to create a model.
3. Treatment Plan: Using this model, we can plan your treatment, consisting of the desired movement of your teeth and the number of aligners needed.
4. Fabrication: Based on this, a series of custom-made aligners are fabricated for you. Each one is slightly different, which is how they gradually adjust your teeth.
5. Fitting: Dr. Dayan will give you your first set of aligners in our office, ensuring they fit properly and providing instructions on how to care for them and best wear them.
6. Wearing the Aligners: You’ll wear each set for about 1-2 weeks, depending on your given treatment plan. 
7. Progress Checkups: Throughout the course of treatment, you’ll have periodic checkup appointments with us to monitor your progress and receive additional aligners as needed.
8. Refinements: In some cases, refinements may be necessary to fine-tune results. This involves creating additional sets of aligners to address remaining tooth movements. 
9. Retention: Once your treatment is complete, you’ll transition into wearing retainers to maintain the position of your teeth and prevent them from shifting back.

Helpful Tips 

Here are some good guidelines to follow to effectively use your aligners! Using them properly is the key to having a beautiful smile.

1. Wear Them Consistently: One of the most important aspects of treatment is wearing them for the full daily duration. They should be kept in for 20-22 hours a day
2. Follow the Treatment Plan: Stick to the plan we set out for you. This also means wearing each set of aligners for the specified period before switching to the next set. Avoid skipping or prolonging wear time, or the progress of the treatment will be delayed and affect the outcome of your treatment overall.
3. Practice Good Oral Hygiene: For the majority of orthodontic treatment, this is the kicker. Brush your teeth after meals and snacks, as well as before putting your aligners back in. Flossing daily is also important to prevent plaque buildup and tooth decay.
4. Clean Your Aligners Regularly: Clean the aligners daily using a cleaning solution or mild soap and water. Avoid hot water, as it can warp the aligners. Additionally, avoid eating or drinking anything other than water while wearing aligners to prevent staining and bacterial growth.
5. Store Them Properly: When not wearing your aligners, store them in their case to protect them from damage or loss. Avoid wrapping them in tissues or napkins, as they can easily be mistaken for trash.
6. Attend Appointments: Keep up with your follow-up appointments with us to monitor your progress and ensure that your treatment is on track. We can always make adjustments as necessary.
7. Be Patient: All treatments of this nature take time. Be patient and trust the process. Stay committed to wearing your aligners to achieve the best possible outcome.

Cautionary Tales

Now that we’ve covered the things you should do, here are some to avoid:

• Never ignore pain or discomfort. Some discomfort is expected at the start of the initial adjustment period, but persistent pain shouldn’t be disregarded. Experiencing constant soreness should always lead to an appointment with our office to take a closer look and find the cause.
• Don’t eat with aligners in. You’ll notice quickly that it doesn’t feel quite right! Keeping them in can increase the risk of cavities and gum disease, and certain beverages can lead to staining.
• Keep track of them. Some people may innately have trouble keeping up with things. Try to store them in a specific, noticeable container. You can always get replacements, but it’s cheaper and more convenient to not need them.

A Straighter Path

Remember that people successfully complete this treatment every single day! You can do it, too, and we’re here to help you do it well. If you’re interested in clear aligners, contact our Brooklyn orthodontic office at 718-241-0404.

Posted by One Love Orthodontics