Adults have often avoided orthodontic treatment in the past due to concerns about traditional braces. Today, more patients are coming around to the idea thanks to clear aligners. This modern treatment method provides the benefits of orthodontics while overcoming reservations adult patients have about braces.

The five ways clear aligners may change your life.

If you need orthodontic treatment for misaligned teeth, crowding, or other issues, then clear aligners could be the perfect choice. Here are five ways that clear aligners provide a better experience than traditional braces.

1. Discreet Appearance

When it comes to traditional braces, one of the biggest concerns of patients of all ages is the conspicuous appearance. The distinct metallic gray of braces stands out against any smile and can dissuade adults from getting the care they need. Luckily, clear aligners now provide a solution to this issue. 

Clear aligners are virtually invisible. They are made of clear plastic, so your smile still looks bright and white. While they aren’t completely invisible, they’re unlikely to be noticed in most situations. You’ll be able to confidently maintain your professional and social life, as you won’t be hesitant to share your smile with the world.

The plastic aligners are also smooth and adhere to the profile of your teeth, making them less noticeable than the jutting brackets and wires of braces. This makes them even better than “clear braces” that rely on tooth-colored and transparent ceramic elements. 

2. Comfort and Convenience

Clear aligners also offer a more comfortable treatment experience. The brackets and wires of traditional braces can sometimes cause abrasions and even cuts. The smooth plastic of clear aligners causes no such issues, providing pain-free teeth straightening.

One of the biggest perks of clear aligners is that they are removable, unlike traditional braces. This makes both eating and oral hygiene so much easier. Instead of having to avoid certain foods out of fear of them getting stuck, you simply remove the aligners when it’s time to eat. The same is true when it’s time to brush and floss. You can also remove them for special occasions. 

This convenience can even extend after your initial treatment with clear retainers. After treatment with braces, you need to wear a teeth retainer for some time. Clear aligner systems have their own unique clear retainers that provide the same benefits while being much easier to live with.

3. Treatment Customization

Clear aligners are custom-made for each patient to address their unique smiles. Your clear aligner journey will start with careful treatment planning that uses the latest technology. Digital 3D imaging of your smile lets your dentist pinpoint your orthodontic issues and plan your entire treatment.

The clear aligners for your treatment are made using those 3D scans and treatment planning. You’ll receive a new set of aligners every two weeks, each shaped slightly differently from the last. As you swap them out, your teeth are slowly guided into the right position.

This method can provide many of the same benefits as braces, which require ongoing adjustment and tightening without the need for continuous appointments. The highly versatile and accurate planning and treatment allow for many complex orthodontic issues to be resolved completely.

4. Minimal Lifestyle Disruption

Orthodontic treatment is vital to secure your long-term oral health. However, that doesn’t mean you should have to compromise when it comes to your lifestyle. Clear aligners let you enjoy the best of both worlds, fixing your smile and letting you live your life.

You won’t require as many visits as you would with braces, just a few checkups to ensure progress is going as planned.

5. Enhanced Oral Hygiene

Maintaining oral hygiene is a challenge with traditional braces, as the brackets and wires make it difficult to brush and floss properly. It couldn’t be easier with clear aligners because you can remove them to brush and floss, making your routine almost the same as normal.

Being able to reach every nook and cranny when brushing and flossing protects you from tooth decay and gum disease during your clear aligner treatment. Washing the clear aligners is also quick and easy. Just use a soft brush and a cleaner recommended by your dentist.

Come in and see if clear aligners are right for you.

Clear aligners are a modern treatment method that can help improve your smile in many ways. You’ll enjoy a treatment experience that delivers on all fronts, providing comfort and convenience from start to finish. Considering clear aligners to straighten your smile and ensure long-term oral health? Compass Dental Group is here for all of your Maryville dental care needs, including clear aligner therapy. Schedule a consultation today to find out whether clear aligners can deliver the results you need.