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If you do not wear your retainers, it is possible that your teeth could move positions after treatment. If you lose your retainer or if it is damaged contact your dentist right away.
A retainer prevents your teeth from moving after they have been straightened. You can have a removable retainer, which is very much like a clear aligner, that you wear at night. You can also have a fixed retainer which is a discreet metal wire bonded to the back of your teeth to keep them in place. You and your dentist will decide whether a retainer is needed and, if so, the type of retainer.
No. The aligners are fairly simple to keep clean, however, tooth decay, periodontal disease, decalcification (permanent markings on the teeth) or inflammation of the gums may occur if proper oral hygiene and preventative maintenance are not maintained. Most aligners can be cleaned with a toothbrush and cool water. A non-abrasive toothpaste may also be used. Our Wear and Care Guide is provided with your new aligners.
While wearing clear aligners is generally not painful, there will be brief periods, days not weeks, when the new aligners may cause the teeth to be uncomfortable. Expect people to glance at your teeth and ask, “What do you have on your teeth?” Your ‘bite’ will feel different from time to time while the teeth are in transition. You may have a lisp at first while becoming accustomed to talking with the aligner on. You may have attachments which is a small bump on the aligner, assisting the aligner to move the tooth.
Good oral hygiene is very important during clear aligner treatment. You should continue to brush and floss as recommended by your dentist. You should also brush after eating and before replacing your aligners and keep the aligners themselves clean by brushing them under cool water with a soft toothbrush (do not use abrasive toothpaste or other cleaners on your appliances).
Every clear aligner case is different, but it is usual to have between 10 and 20 sets of aligners over the course of your treatment. Your dentist may also prescribe retainers at the end of aligner treatment to prevent your teeth from relapsing.
You will need to change your aligners every one to two weeks. The frequency will be defined by your dentist.
Interproximal reduction (IPR) is sometimes necessary in teeth straightening to provide more space for the teeth to move into. It involves your dentist removing tiny sections of enamel from the sides of the teeth to create spaces that help correct crowding.
Unlike braces, you’ve got the all-clear to eat whatever you want. Just make sure you take out your aligners before eating anything. Once you’ve finished eating, give your teeth a brush and floss, rinse your aligner and pop it back in. While wearing your aligners, it’s best to stick with drinking cool water. Hot liquids may warp and damage your aligners, whilst other drinks may encourage cavities and stains. If you’re going to drink anything other than cool water, just take your aligners out.
During your clear aligner treatment, you will see a registered dentist who will oversee your treatment. You may also see a treatment coordinator or hygienist who will answer any questions you may have about teeth straightening, as well as dental nurses and reception team.
Whitening can be provided as a treatment after you complete clear aligner treatment and whitening gel should only be prescribed by a registered dental professional. Speak to your dentist if it is something you are interested in.
You should wear your clear aligners for about 22 hours a day. They need to be removed each time you eat or have a drink other than water, once you’ve finished eating, give your teeth a brush, rinse your aligner and pop it back in.
There is a chance you may have a slight lisp when you first begin aligner treatment. Speech changes can happen with any treatment to the teeth but will return to normal once you adapt to wearing the aligners.
If your dentist recommends attachments during your teeth straightening, they will show you where these will be on your treatment plan. They will be strategically placed on teeth to give the best straightening results.
Your dentist might tell you that you will have attachments on your teeth during treatment. These are just tiny tooth-colored bumps created from dental composite resin (what we use for a filling). They are easy to place and work with your aligners to create pressure on the teeth to move them into place. They will be removed by the end of your treatment.
The number of appointments you will need for teeth straightening will depend on the length of your treatment, as recommended by your dentist. In general, we try and keep appointments to a minimum to suit a busy lifestyle. You can expect an appointment to make sure you are a suitable candidate for clear aligner treatment and an intra-oral scan or impressions, a fit appointment once your aligners are available and regular reviews to check progress once you are on your treatment journey.
It’s unlikely that you will need any injections as part of your clear aligner treatment. The only time you may need a local anesthetic is if you need treatment to improve your oral health prior to teeth straightening, such as a filling.
ClearCorrect aligners and retainers are free from harmful chemicals and do not pose a significant risk to your health. However, it’s up to you and your doctor to determine if treatment is safe for you and you baby during this time.
No. ClearCorrect aligners and retainers are made from materials that do not contain bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates or any of the materials known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxins.
ClearCorrect aligners are made from a plastic which has been specially formulated for ClearCorrect. The aligners are manufactured using a unique material that provides an excellent balance between force and elasticity.
The slight, sustained pressure exerted by the aligners is sufficient for effective orthodontic results without unnecessary patient discomfort.
Our products are made from a proprietary thermoformed thermoplastic that combines the properties of flexible and rigid resins in a multi-layered film that has mechanical properties tailored for the unique requirements of aligners such as greater fracture resistance, lower initial force, more consistent and longer sustained force, and a more precise fit compared to the properties of other resins used in other aligners (e.g. PET); while maintaining the optical clarity and biocompatibility expected for an oral appliance.
It’s fairly common to experience some tenderness or sensitivity for the first few days of wearing a new aligner. However, the more you wear the aligner the more comfortable they become. Sores and irritation are possible but also resolve within a few days without medical intervention. You may also experience a temporary increase in salivation or dryness of the mouth. ClearCorrect aligners are among the most comfortable in the industry. Similar to braces, if aligners change too abruptly between steps, they can cause unnecessary discomfort. ClearCorrect aligners employ a unique system which balances your comfort and treatment time.
Our next appointment for clear aligners will depend on the dental practice but we aim to see you as soon as we can. After your first appointment you can expect to receive your clear aligners within two to three weeks.
Yes, the dentist will be able to show you how your teeth may look after clear aligner treatment after taking your intra-oral scan or impressions.
The process of clear aligners begins with a consultation with your dental professional to make sure you are a suitable candidate for teeth straightening. If everything is ok, they will take an intra-oral scan or impressions of your teeth so your treatment can be planned. Once you and your dentist are happy with the treatment plan, we will produce the aligners and you will come back for a fit appointment. You will then see your dentist regularly until the end of treatment. Your dentist may also prescribe retainers at the end of aligner treatment to keep your teeth in the final desired position. Retainers are generally worn for three to six months.
On average, it can take anywhere from three to twelve months to straighten teeth with clear aligners. Some cases can take over a year. Every case is different and will depend on how much your teeth need to move. Your dentist will be able to tell you how long your treatment is likely to take after you have had an intra-oral scan or impressions of your teeth.
A bit of discomfort with your first aligner is totally normal as it’s starting to move your teeth. Sometimes changing from one aligner to the next can be a bit uncomfortable, but it will settle over time. Some people find it helps to take a non-prescription pain reliever for the first few days of wearing aligners – contact your dental provider if the pain does not improve.
Clear aligners move your teeth into the correct position without being noticeable to the people around you. Our treatment consists of a set of clear aligners precisely adapted to your teeth that slowly move the teeth in the right direction. You wear the aligner for 22 hours a day and swap it for a new aligner with a new correction every two weeks. People around you will barely notice the aligners and the aligners can be taken out for eating and drinking at any time.
