TIPS AND GUIDES

Tips for your clear aligner journey

We provide helpful tips and suggestions to ensure your journey to a straighter, more confident smile is as smooth as possible.

 
OUR ADVICE FOR YOU

Why you need
Clear Aligners?

 

# Comfortable
# Invisible # Affordable

Custom made and easy to clean

Clear aligners are an alternative to traditional braces, designed to guide teeth into their proper position. Similar to braces, clear aligners use gradual force to control tooth movement, but without metal wires or brackets. We use 3D software to fabricate a series of clear plastic sheets based on the orthodontist's proposed treatment plan.

Duration of treatment

The duration of treatment with aligners depends on the severity of each case. Overall, aligners generally offer a shorter treatment time compared to traditional braces.

How Aligners work?

Similar to traditional braces, aligners work by exerting gentle pressure to gradually straighten teeth over a period of time. Tooth movement is directed by each individual aligner, and teeth will move approximately 0.2mm to 0.3mm with each new set.

To straighten the teeth, several sets of aligners are required, which must be changed at regular intervals. Most often every two weeks. The new set is a small step towards straight teeth. Each aligner is designed to change the position of the teeth.

 
BENEFITS

What are the benefits of straightening teeth?

# More confident
# An even bite

Reducing unnecessary damage

You would like to look better and feel more confident, but there are other benefits to having straight teeth.

When teeth are tipped, crooked, or rotated, the bite is usually uneven, so pressure is unevenly distributed. This causes extra, unnecessary wear and tear on specific teeth. For many patients, when the teeth are better aligned, the pressure will be evenly distributed.

 
Aesthetically pleasing

Clear aligners and fixed braces are often used for different treatment situations. Simply put, aligners are more affordable, comfortable, convenient, easier to clean, and more aesthetically pleasing than fixed braces. Fixed braces can treat more severe cases that require extreme tooth movements, using more force than aligners can. However, for about 80% of cases, aligners are the easier, hassle-free option.

 
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1Will the treatment be painful?
Most people experience tooth soreness for a few days after starting each new stage. This is followed by a period of adaption, so it is normal. It is a sign that the aligners are working, moving your teeth to their final destination. This soreness should gradually go away a couple of days after inserting the new aligner. If it doesn’t, promptly discuss with your dental practitioner.
2Can I eat and drink while wearing my aligners?
You should only drink water with your clear aligners in. All other food and drink should be consumed without aligners to avoid debris from getting trapped between the aligners and your teeth, potentially causing discolouration of the aligners or even distortion and cracks.
3Do clear aligners smell bad or become yellow?
Not brushing your teeth causes staining and bad breath. Not cleaning aligners will also cause them to discolour, accumulate bacteria and smell bad. Which, coincidentally, isn’t great for your oral health in general. Your aligner care routine is entirely in your hands, so make sure to do it right! This also includes removing your aligners before eating, drinking anything other than water, or smoking. These will definitely stain and damage your aligners.
4I forgot to wear my aligners for a day – is that a problem?
you should wear your aligners for 22 hours a day because teeth require constant pressure to move. Nevetherless, missing one day, either because you forgot to wear them or had a special occasion with frequent food and drinks involved, will not ruin your entire treatment.
5Is it safe to sleep with your aligners in?
Not only it is perfectly safe, it’s necessary! The aligners should be worn for 22 hours a day, and roughly a third of this time will be spent sleeping. That’s due to teeth requiring constant force for them to move properly. Just remember to brush your teeth and stick to your nightly oral care regime before hitting the pillow. Wearing the aligners for less time means you would have less effective tooth movement.
6Why do some of my aligners have bumps or ridges on them?
Depending on your specific treatment, some of the movements may require either “attachments” or “ridges” to help the aligner grip the teeth. These bumps, or wells, are where the aligner grips the attachment the dental practitioner places on your teeth. The attachments are actually small pieces of composite the dental practitioner affixes to your teeth that are then gripped by bumps on your aligners. The ridges are slim indentations in your aligners. Your dental practitioner will use one or both of these features to attempt to achieve the desired movement. If an attachment is lost or broken, you should immediately contact your dental practitioner.
 

Step-by-step instructions for
One Step to Smile

In this guidebook, you will find step-by-step instructions on how to care for and use your Clear Aligners.

DOWNLOAD GUIDE