Clear Aligners Doylestown
Straighten Your Smile Without the Hassle
In the past, fixing orthodontic issues meant needing to have noticeable and uncomfortable metal brackets and wires affixed in your mouth. These downsides have kept many people from receiving the treatment they require to improve their oral health and enhance the appearance of their smile. At Sean Brown, DDS Family & Implant Dentistry, our team offers a modern, discreet, and comfortable alternative to metal braces, called clear aligners, in Doylestown. Read on to learn more about the treatment and whether you’re a good candidate.
Why Choose Sean Brown, DDS Family & Implant Dentistry for Clear Aligners?
- Dedicated Dentist with Years of Experience
- Locally Owned & Operated Dental Practice
- Comprehensive Dental Care Under One Roof
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Instead of utilizing metal brackets and wires, clear aligner orthodontic treatment uses custom-fitted plastic trays, similar to retainers, to gently and strategically shift your teeth into their ideal positions. Every two weeks, you’ll advance to your next series of aligners in your treatment until you eventually complete the process and achieve your ideal results. Every six to eight weeks, depending on what we determine is best at your initial consultation, you’ll come in for a quick progress check and to pick up your next series of aligners in your treatment.
Who Can Clear Aligners Help?
If you’re considering clear aligner treatment, you’re probably wondering if it could help you with your alignment issues. In the past, the clear aligner system was fairly limited to minor issues. However, today, it’s a more flexible and robust system than ever before. It’s able to address a wide range of alignment issues, from cosmetic concerns to functional bite problems.
Our team has used clear aligners to help both teens and adults achieve straighter, healthier smiles. Read more below to see how clear aligners in Doylestown could help you create a healthy, beautiful grin for good.
Crowded Teeth
When teeth don’t have enough space, they often overlap, twist, or bunch together. Crowding can make brushing and flossing more difficult, which increases the risk of cavities and gum disease. Clear aligners gradually create space and guide teeth into better alignment, improving both aesthetics and oral health all at once.
Gaps Between Teeth
Large spaces between teeth can create “food traps” that catch debris and irritate your gums. But beyond that, it also makes many patients feel self-conscious about their smile.
Clear aligner treatment will gently move your teeth closer together, closing these gaps and creating a more uniform appearance. In many cases, small attachments are used to help the aligners grip your teeth for more precise movements. The result is a smile that looks better and feels cleaner than ever.
Overbite
An overbite generally occurs when your upper front teeth extend significantly past your lower ones. If left untreated, this can cause uneven wear, jaw discomfort, or even difficulty speaking clearly.
Our clear aligners can correct many overbites using aligners paired with accessories like elastics or tooth-colored attachments. These allow your aligners to guide both your teeth and your jaw into a more balanced position for better long-term function and comfort.
Underbite
An underbite is the reverse of an overbite—your lower teeth extend in front of your upper teeth when your mouth is closed. This misalignment can make chewing difficult and lead to uneven enamel wear, increasing the risk of damage over time.
Clear aligner orthodontic treatment can correct many mild to moderate underbites by gradually shifting your teeth and guiding your jaw into better alignment using elastics and attachments. By improving your bite, we help you eat more comfortably and protect your long-term oral health.
Crossbite
A crossbite happens when some upper teeth sit inside your lower teeth instead of outside. This misalignment can cause chipping, gum problems, or uneven wear over time. Clear aligners, combined with accessories, can gradually guide your smile into a healthier position. Once your treatment is complete, you’ll have perfectly straightened teeth and a comfortable bite.
Open Bite
An open bite is when your upper and lower teeth don’t touch when your mouth is closed. This can affect speech and make it difficult to eat certain foods. Clear aligner treatment works by moving the teeth vertically until they meet correctly.
In most cases, attachments, elastics, or a combination of both are necessary to give the aligners more leverage to achieve these movements. With careful planning, clear aligner orthodontic treatment can close open bites while also enhancing the look of your smile.
The Benefits of Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are one of the most popular orthodontic treatments among patients because of the variety of benefits that they offer, as opposed to traditional metal braces. Some of the advantages that you’ll be able to enjoy include:
- Discreet, clear aligners
- Better oral health while undergoing treatment
- Eat all of the foods that you love
- Easy to clean and maintain the aligners
- Conveniently removable
- Shorter average treatment time
- More comfortable than metal braces
How Much Do Clear Aligners Cost?
The cost of your clear aligner treatment depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of your orthodontic problems, how many aligners you’ll need to achieve your ideal results, and other details that your dentist in Doylestown will determine during your initial consultation. To learn the cost of your unique clear aligner treatment, schedule a consultation with our office today!
In-House Clear Retainers
One of the many benefits of clear aligner treatment is that the aligners are completely clear and comfortable. Once your treatment is done, you won’t want to switch to retainers that have noticeable brackets and wires. Instead, Dr. Brown provides clear retainers that are created entirely in-house. They look, feel, and function just like clear aligner orthodontic treatment; however, they are designed to protect your results. After investing your time and money in your treatment, the last thing you want is to see your teeth drift out of place. That’s why Dr. Brown’s clear retainers are the perfect solution – they are personalized, effective, and more affordable than other options.
Understanding the Cost of Clear Aligners
The cost of your clear aligner treatment depends on a variety of factors, which is why pinpointing the price online can be near-impossible. The good news is that there is an easy way to get an estimate: schedule a consultation with our Doylestown dental team! You’re also welcome to read on to learn a bit more about the factors that impact the cost of clear aligners.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Clear Aligners
At your consultation, our highly trained, friendly, and experienced dentist, Dr. Brown, will assess the position of your teeth and take X-rays to determine:
- The severity of your orthodontic problems
- How many aligners you’ll need to achieve your ideal results
- If we need to straighten one or both arches of teeth
- If rubber bands (or other orthodontic accessories) are needed
It’s important to note that these are just the factors that influence the upfront cost of your clear aligner treatment. In other words, it is possible for there to be additional payments down the line if you misplace your aligners consistently or fall off track with your plan by not wearing your trays for 20-22 hours a day.
Clear Aligners vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?
Typically, clear aligner treatment performed in a dental office costs more than mail-order alternatives. Why? To begin, in-office clear aligner treatment is supervised by a licensed dental professional, and the entire treatment process always starts with a thorough exam to ensure you’re a good candidate. Conversely, mail-order clear aligner companies skip the initial exam and ask patients to take DIY impressions, which are often inaccurate. So, it’s not surprising that professional organizations like the American Dental Association do not support orthodontic alternatives like these.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Clear Aligners?
That depends on your plan! So, read through the fine print to see if orthodontic services like clear aligners are covered. If you are having a hard time finding it or are confused by the jargon, you’re always welcome to ask us for help!
Clear Aligner FAQs
What Do Clear Aligners Look Like?
Clear aligners are made from clear, BPA-free plastic, so they are visible when outside of the mouth, but very difficult to detect once worn. With proper maintenance, you can keep your aligners clean and discreet. Ultimately, you can achieve a straighter smile without compromising your appearance. In some cases, patients may require attachments, buttons, or elastics that help during the alignment process. These items aren’t made of clear plastic, so they can sometimes be more visible than the rest of your aligners.
Does Clear Aligner Treatment Hurt?
Addressing orthodontic issues with clear aligners isn’t painful. Their smooth plastic design makes it one of the most comfortable options out there. When you first get your clear aligners, there is an adjustment period when you will likely experience slight soreness or discomfort, but this will go away as you get used to the treatment. Clear aligner treatment works by gradually shifting your teeth into proper alignment, so you may experience a small amount of pressure, but this is how you know that your treatment is working. To help with this adjustment, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever and/or use a cold compress.
Can You Eat with Clear Aligners?
One of the main advantages of clear aligners is that they are completely removable, therefore allowing you to take your aligners out when it’s time to eat. Eating while wearing your clear aligners can cause cracks and stains, and it puts unnecessary pressure on your teeth. The only thing that you should be consuming while wearing your aligners is water.
Can You Get Clear Aligners After Braces?
This all depends on your specific needs. Braces are better able to correct more severe overbites, underbites, and crossbites that clear aligners cannot. If your teeth have grown crooked or misaligned years after you completed treatment with braces, clear aligners can usually help with this problem and align your smile. To find out for sure if they are a good option for you, see us for your initial consultation.
How Long Does Clear Aligner Treatment Take?
Multiple factors can influence the amount of time it will take to finish your clear aligner treatment. These can commonly include the complexity of your orthodontic or misalignment issue and your commitment to your treatment plan. On average, it can take patients between 12 to 18 months to complete the entire process.
If a person has extremely mild orthodontic problems, they can sometimes finish their treatment in as little as 6 months! And while 18 months seems a long time, clear aligner treatment is still at least 4 months shorter than the average process for traditional braces. By staying committed to your treatment plan and visiting your dentist regularly for checkups, you should experience a more efficient process.
What Happens After Clear Aligner Treatment?
After completing your time with your last set of clear aligners in the series, you’ll come into the office for your dentist to assess your results. We’ll confirm that your teeth have moved into their ideal positions before walking you through what to expect when maintaining your newly straightened smile.
The most important part of post-treatment is that you wear your retainer. These can either be wire retainers or look and feel similar to your clear aligners. These appliances are specifically designed to maintain the position of your pearly whites instead of moving them, so they’ll be much more comfortable to wear. By wearing them as instructed, you can be sure to enjoy your straight teeth for many years to come, protecting your investment in the process. You’ll typically start by keeping them in all day before moving on to only having them in overnight.
What if My Clear Aligner Broke?
While durable, clear aligners can still become cracked, scratched, broken, or otherwise damaged. If you notice your aligners have a hairline crack, they may be used as long as you practice extra caution when removing or putting them on. Minimize bending them as much as possible. Don’t try repairing your damaged aligner by yourself or with household items, such as superglue. This can put your oral and overall health at risk from toxic substances.
After notifying your dentist of the situation, they may recommend that you use your previous case or move on to your next set of aligners, depending on your progress. To lower your chances of damaging your aligners, remove them before eating anything, store them in a protective case, use only lukewarm water to rinse them, and place a towel under them to break their fall if you drop them.
How Do I Clean My Clear Aligners?
Other than soaking them in cleaning crystals that help remove debris, food particles, and plaque, you’ll want to use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently scrub your clear aligners. Be sure to rinse your aligners every day, especially after eating or drinking anything (except pure water). This will help keep debris and bacteria from accumulating on the trays and your teeth. Do NOT use hot water, as this can warp your aligners and delay your treatment plan. Remember to also brush and floss your teeth before putting your trays back on to avoid trapping food and plaque-causing bacteria.