How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Bloom Orthodontics in Long Beach explains how this modern orthodontic treatment works.

Image by Guilherme Ariga GUI WOOK from Pixabay 

By now, you probably have heard of clear aligners. Dental companies have spent millions and millions of dollars so that you have. However, do you really understand how they work? Let’s look at how clear aligners work to give you the smile you want.

The first thing to know about how they work is that it is a digital process from start to finish. We take a scan, which is handled by a sensor that we put in your mouth. The scanner shines a light onto the area we want to capture, and then takes thousands of images of your teeth, gums, and bite. Then, the software pieces these images together to build a 3D model of your teeth and gums.

The scan and model become what we call a digital impression. The digital impression tells us what is going on in your mouth right now so we can see where we need to make movements. Moreover, the digital scan allows us to plan treatment digitally rather than manually. In other words, the scan is the first step in what we call modern orthodontic treatment.

Once we have planned your treatment on our software, we submit them along with the scans to our clear aligner partner, Invisalign®. There, the technician will design your treatment plan and send it back to us, where we will review and approve the plan. Once we approve the plan, Invisalign prints the trays.

How Does Plastic Move Teeth?

Once you receive your trays, you wear them in your mouth for one to two weeks. The trays are made of plastic, called SmartTrack®, which moves the teeth gently into place. Invisalign designed this material for their system to apply gentle and constant force while feeling comfortable while it fits snugly around the tooth. The fit around your teeth is essential; the plastic hugging the teeth is what pushes them into place.

In some cases, we may need to add small attachments to help the clear aligners move the teeth where we want them to go. Invisalign’s product is called SmartForce® attachments which work like handles to push teeth into the correct position. Essentially, the attachments give the plastic more surface area on which to exert their gentle force. Not every case requires attachments, however, so you may or may not need them in your treatment.

Research indicates that each tray moves your teeth about .25mm. While this might not sound like a lot, it is the appropriate amount. We orthodontists don’t want to move your teeth too quickly as it can causes damage to the supporting tissues.

Many cases have around 25-30 trays, but some cases might require as many as 75 to 80. You will know from the start about how many weeks you will be in treatment, however. It all depends on what needs to move where in your mouth. However, many times we find that clear aligner treatment is faster than traditional braces.

What to Do to Make Aligners Work for Your Case?

One of the most critical parts of how clear aligners work is you.  Wearing the trays is essential—and not just at night. You should wear clear aligners at a minimum of 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, drink, and clean your teeth.

Another part you play is not in your control. Studies indicate that patients between the age of 35 and 50 have more movement in your teeth. Women also hold onto that easier tooth movement longer than men.

Also, how you clean the aligners affects how they work. Very hot water can change the integrity of the plastic and reduce their efficacy.

Finally, you have to ensure you are a good fit for these requirements. Healthline indicates some very good questions to ask yourself before choosing clear aligner therapy for yourself or someone you love, which include:

• Do I have a simple or complicated orthodontic case? (If you don’t know this one, no worries; we can help you here.)

• Would I be embarrassed to smile with traditional braces in my mouth for the next couple of years?

• Will I wear them like I am supposed to?

• Can I afford the treatment? (We can help you here, too, with our patient financing program.)

• Will I take care of my trays the way I should?

If you have questions about Invisalign or how clear aligner therapy works, please do not hesitate to call us. We would be happy to answer any questions or give you a free consultation regarding your smile and what is possible. Plus, we can show you what your smile would look like if you did undertake clear aligners—and you might be surprised what a difference it can make.

To schedule your free consultation today, call Bloom SMILE STUDIO office in GARDEN GROVE at 714-430-8454.

Bloom SMILE STUDIO in GARDEN GROVE has a long history of improving our patient’s smiles. We provide modern orthodontic treatments delivered with old-fashioned excellence in patient experience. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Sources:

“The Complete Introduction to Intraoral Scanning.” Blog.3Shape.com. 14 April 2020. Web. 16 September 2022. https://blog.3shape.com/en/2020/complete-introduction-to-intraoral-scanning.

Hinson, Ashley. “How Do Clear Aligners Work?” www.webmd.com. Web. 16 September 2022. https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/teeth-straightening/how-do-clear-aligners-work.

Greeley, DDS, M. Constance. “Can Plastic Really Move Teeth?” thewomensjournal.com. 1 July 2019. Web. 16 September 2022. https://thewomensjournal.com/can-plastic-really-move-teeth/

Larson, Jennifer. “What to Know About Invisalign and Its Effectiveness.” Healthline.com. 7 January 2021. Web. 16 September 2022.https://www.healthline.com/health/does-invisalign-work