Have you been considering orthodontic treatment but aren’t sure if traditional braces are right for you? Clear aligners could be just what you’re looking for! These systems are an alternative to braces that allow us to achieve the same results without any brackets or wires. Sycamore Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry is proud to offer DeKalb County families the best treatment options, including clear aligners. Over the years, we’ve found that different clear aligners work best in some instances to produce the perfect smile. That’s why we work with well-known brands like Invisalign® and Spark®. Let’s take a closer look at what clear aligners are and how they transform smiles!
What are clear aligners?
An experienced orthodontist like Dr. Peter Barysenka can use fixed or removable appliances to straighten teeth. Traditional braces are a fixed appliance, which means the brackets are affixed to the surface of the teeth. These can only be removed by an orthodontic professional once treatment is complete. There’s not much for patients to do with their braces except keep them clean and follow the guidelines they’re given for wearing elastics.
Clear aligners are removable appliances. They’re custom-designed for a snug fit over a patient’s teeth but aren’t actually attached to any part of them. These systems use a series of aligners to apply gentle pressure to the teeth over time, gradually moving them into the desired positions without the use of brackets, wires, or bands.
Patients are much more hands-on with clear aligners than those in braces! The trays must be worn for 20-22 hours each day, and each aligner must be switched out for the next in the series every 1-2 weeks. This allows the aligners to keep up with the movements the teeth are making. Failure to do so can lead to longer treatment times and subpar results.
How does treatment with clear aligners work?
Personalized treatment is the name of the game at our Sycamore office! During your initial visit with us, Dr. Barysenka will examine your smile and discuss the concerns you have about your smile. We’ll take some images of your mouth, including any necessary x-rays. You’ll then be presented with a customized treatment plan that will include all the movements we want your teeth to make. It will also give us an idea of how long we expect your treatment to take. You may even get a sneak peek of what your new smile will look like after you’ve completed your treatment!
Once you’ve decided on clear aligner treatment with Dr. Barysenka, we’ll give the Invisalign or Spark lab the go-ahead to get your first set ready for you.Once they come in, you’ll be on your way to a beautiful new smile! While the total number of clear aligners needed will vary from case to case, most patients can expect to use anywhere from 18-30 aligners altogether. As far as treatment time goes, this will also depend on a number of different factors, but the average time spent in clear aligners is 9-15 months.
Our expert team will guide you through every step of the treatment process! Regular check-ups are an important part of that. You’ll be scheduled for follow-up appointments with us every 6-8 weeks or so. During these visits, Dr. Barysenka will check that everything is progressing as it should be according to your treatment plan. This gives him the chance to monitor the movement of your teeth and make any necessary adjustments.
What are the benefits of clear aligners?
The removable nature of clear aligners is one of the things patients love best! This allows an extra measure of flexibility that is lacking with traditional braces. Take food restrictions, for example. In order to protect the wires and brackets during treatment, patients in braces need to avoid eating anything crunchy or chewy. It can be frustrating to give up certain foods, even if the end result is more than worth it. Many patients feel that this is one of the steepest learning curves to come with braces.
Clear aligners are designed to be removed before eating, so these patients have no food restrictions at all! When you choose clear aligners, you’ll be able to continue eating all your favorite foods. You simply take the aligner out any time you want to eat, then replace it when you’re done! This makes good oral hygiene easier, too. It can be time-consuming to effectively clean around brackets and wires, especially at first. But clear aligners are removed before brushing and flossing as you normally would, so caring for your dental health is as simple as ever.
Since they can be taken out for short periods of time, removable aligners can be a bonus for athletes and musicians who play specific instruments. They’re also a fantastic solution for anyone who wants to let their natural smile shine through occasionally, such as weddings, proms, or even senior photos.
We love clear aligners at Sycamore Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry
It’s not hard to see why clear aligners are such a popular alternative to traditional braces. These innovative systems continue to change the way people view what’s possible with orthodontic treatment!
Would you like to learn more about how clear aligners can help transform your smile? Get in touch with us today to schedule your FREE consultation with Dr. Barysenka and our expert team! There’s never been a better time to take the first step towards the beautiful smile you deserve.