Over three million people worldwide have been treated with clear aligners to fix orthodontic issues while keeping a low profile. At Desert Ridge Orthodontics, Dr. Michael Papademetriou and Dr. Catherine Smith help men and women living in or around Phoenix reach their orthodontic goals without sacrificing their appearance. To learn more about the adaptive benefits of clear aligners, get in touch with Desert Ridge Orthodontics today by phone or online and book an appointment.
Similar to Invisalign, clear aligners refer to an orthodontic treatment that uses removable, plastic-based aligners to straighten your teeth progressively.
Your orthodontist recommends that you switch your aligners out with fresh ones every other week. Replacing them ensures that their fit mirrors the progress of your treatment.
Millions of people around the world have opted for clear aligners as an alternative to braces, as they offer much more flexibility.
Clear aligners are one of the most adaptive kinds of orthodontic treatments.
During your consultation with either Dr. Papademetriou or Dr. Smith, you discuss your goals, precisely what you want your teeth to look like, and what has been bothering you about their appearance.
After talking with you and studying your dental health and history, your orthodontist at Desert Ridge Orthodontics digitally maps out the treatment’s progression. This ensures that the treatment is exclusively tailored to you.
You can see what your teeth look like at every step of the treatment. Once you’ve approved this suggested plan of action, your orthodontist creates your custom aligners. You’ll need to wear them on average 20-22 hours every day.
Depending on how complex your orthodontic needs are, this orthodontic treatment can last anywhere between 12 and 18 months. Dr. Papademetriou or Dr. Smith can give you a precise estimate of how long they think it will take.
The most significant difference between the two types of orthodontic treatment is comfort and visibility. Traditional braces are often metallic or ceramic. In other words, they’re extremely visible. As the name suggests, clear aligners are practically invisible.
Additionally, traditional braces often have sharp edges, leading to discomfort and cutting inside the mouth. Clear aligners are made out of rounded, soft plastic, so you don’t run the risk of cutting yourself.
Clear aligners also have the advantage of flexible usage. For instance, you can remove the aligners when you brush your teeth or eat food that would otherwise damage your braces, like corn, carrots, or beef jerky. Traditional braces are fixed and require you to modify the kinds of foods you eat to preserve the integrity of the appendage.
Get in touch with Desert Ridge Orthodontics by phone or online to learn more about the benefits of clear aligners.
