What Can Clear Aligners Correct?

Clear aligners are a discreet way of straightening the teeth. Patients will wear them for 22 hours or more every day. These only come out for cleaning or eating and drinking something other than water. The patient will get a new set of aligners every couple of weeks, and each moves the teeth a bit more. The teeth will eventually be in the correct position.

Issues to correct

The patient will visit a dentist offering clear aligners to see if that is the right option. But the aligners are suitable for straightening crooked teeth to provide a better smile. These can also correct overbites, which happen when the upper teeth overlap the lower ones. That can cause problems with biting and chewing. The good news is that the clear aligners can help the lower and upper teeth fit correctly.

An underbite is the opposite of an overbite. It happens when the lower teeth are in front of the upper ones. If there is an underbite, the teeth might begin to wear down too quickly, and that might affect the patient’s speech. The dentist can use clear aligners to move the lower teeth back a bit. That way, the teeth will sit behind the upper ones correctly.

Open bites are another orthodontic issue. That means the lower and upper teeth do not meet. That can be caused by tongue thrusting or thumb-sucking. The dentist can use clear aligners to move the lower and upper teeth in the correct location.

Other oral issues

Patients might have spacing issues, including gaps between the teeth. That means there is too much room in the mouth. The food might become stuck in these gaps, leading to gum disease and cleaning issues. Closing those gaps can lead to better oral health and a prettier smile.

The opposite of gaps is crowding. It might happen because there is not enough space in the patient’s jaw. It causes the teeth to twist or overlap. If there is not enough space between the teeth, then food could be even harder to get out from there. That leads to plaque and tartar accumulation, leading to gum disease.

Are there any limitations?

Clear aligners can fix a wide range of issues. However, sometimes the dentist will need to use other methods to help the treatment work well. Highly complex cases might require some additional help. That includes:

• The shape of the teeth, like pegged or round ones
• Tooth position, such as a highly rotated tooth
• Teeth that need to be lowered or raised
• Large gaps
• Previous dental work, such as bridges or crowns in the mouth

Choose the right clear aligners today

The cost of the treatment will depend on your specific orthodontic issues. The dentist can do an exam and help you decide if you are the right candidate for the procedure. You can get more information from them. Making an appointment with your dentist today is your first step.

Request an appointment here: https://www.rscottsmithdds.com or call R. Scott Smith DDS at (714) 332-4737 for an appointment in our Orange office.

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