If you want a straighter smile without the pain and bulk of metal braces, we can help. Peak Dental offers clear aligners to straighten patients’ smiles in our Winchester, VA, dental office. These are a great solution for patients with busy schedules and those who hate the look of braces.
Clear aligners are an orthodontic and cosmetic dental treatment used to straighten teeth. They are made from a transparent plastic and custom-fitted to your teeth. Unlike traditional metal braces, clear aligners are nearly invisible. You can remove them when you eat, drink, brush, and floss.
Getting Clear Aligners in Winchester, VA
We start with a consultation. Dr. Barborka will discuss your smile goals and examine your mouth to determine if clear aligners are your best choice. Clear aligners treat mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. If you have more severe issues, you may require more intensive treatment.
Then, we use advanced imaging to plan your treatment. Dr. Barborka plans out the movement of your teeth, and you’ll see a digital preview of your smile once treatment is complete. We can show you what your teeth will look like at each aligner change, so you know exactly what to expect. If you decide to move forward, we’ll send digital images and impressions of your smile to a lab, where they custom-make your aligners.
Once they’re ready, we’ll bring you back in and ensure the first set fits properly. Dr. Barborka will give you instructions on how to wear and care for them, as well as a schedule to change the aligner sets. Typically, you’ll change your aligners every two weeks, each set slightly different to move your teeth into position. You’ll need to wear the aligners for 20-22 hours a day, only taking them out when you eat, drink anything besides water, or perform your oral healthcare routine.
You’ll come back into the office periodically so that we can monitor your progress. We want to ensure that everything is going according to plan and make adjustments if it isn’t. This helps keep your treatment schedule on track, getting you your dream smile as planned.
Clear Aligners Vs. Metal Braces
For decades, traditional braces were the only option for straightening teeth. However, clear aligners are now the preferred method for most patients. They offer many unique benefits that metal braces don’t.
First, they’re virtually invisible. They’re a smooth, transparent plastic that fits close to the teeth, making them hard to notice unless someone specifically looks for them. This is important for many patients. They aren’t self-conscious about their smile and can feel comfortable showing it off because their treatment is discreet.
Clear aligners are also more comfortable. The plastic is smooth and has no sharp points sticking out. Patients often have to use orthodontic wax to go over parts of metal braces, as they can rub the soft tissues in the mouth, causing sores. Metal feels foreign against your tongue and gums, while plastic feels more natural. Patients often report more issues with soreness and discomfort with metal braces.
Clear aligners make oral hygiene easier. It can be difficult to brush and clean teeth properly around metal brackets and wires. If you don’t clean your teeth properly with braces, your teeth will be a different color under the braces when you get them off. Since clear aligners are removable, you can care for your oral health normally.
Removable aligners mean that you can also have a wider variety of foods. Certain hard and sticky foods can’t be eaten when you have metal braces. They can get stuck in the brackets or break the wires. You can still eat all your favorite foods with clear aligners because you take them out when you eat.
Lastly, you don’t need to visit the office as often with clear aligners as braces. Metal braces work because an orthodontist tightens the wires monthly to move the teeth into place. The aligners do all of the work of moving the teeth. You must only visit our office periodically to ensure your treatment is on track.
Caring for Clear Aligners
Taking good care of your aligners every day is important to getting the best results. Clean aligners help keep your teeth healthy and prevent bad odors, stains, and damage.
Clean Your Aligners Daily
You should clean your aligners at least twice daily—once in the morning and once before bed. Rinsing them whenever you take them out is also a good idea. Use a soft toothbrush (not the one you use for your teeth) and gentle, clear soap. Avoid using toothpaste on your aligners. Toothpaste can scratch the surface and make them look cloudy.
If you want a deeper clean, you can soak your aligners in a special cleaning solution or use vinegar and water. Just rinse them well afterward, so no cleaning product stays on the aligners.
Handle Your Aligners With Care
Always wash your hands before handling your aligners. Don’t just toss them on a table or put them in your pocket when you take them out. Place them in their case to keep them safe and clean. This also helps you avoid losing them, which can delay your treatment.
Never eat or drink anything besides water while wearing your aligners. Food and drinks can stain the plastic or get trapped between your aligners and teeth, leading to cavities or bad breath. Always take your aligners out before meals and brush your teeth before putting them back in.
Wear Them As Directed
Wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily for the best results. Only remove them for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. If you don’t wear them long enough each day, your teeth may not move as planned, and your treatment could take longer.
Keep Up With Dental Visits
You will have checkups with our office to ensure your teeth are moving properly. Bring your aligners to each appointment so your provider can check their fit and condition. If your aligners get cracked, bent, or don’t fit properly, let your dentist know immediately.