There’s been a lot of talk about clear aligners in the last few years, and for good reason. Clear aligners, like Invisalign, are one of the best and easiest ways to support oral health and alignment for many people’s smiles. That’s definitely something worth talking about!
If you are here because you are curious about getting aligners for yourself, then you have come to the right place! Dr. Caballero at Master Orthodontics is an expert at supporting his patients through whatever treatment they choose, including clear aligners! He has some wisdom about what clear aligners are, who should use them, and how to have an amazing treatment experience. Read on!
What are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment that is made up of a series of clear retainers. You start with an assessment and digital scans to show your current teeth alignment and our digital technology; then we will use those scans to create a series of clear plastic retainers. Those retainers are then worn for a week or two before shifting to the next set of retainers. As you progress through the retainers, your teeth will become more aligned, resulting in a perfectly straight smile by the end of treatment!
Aligners are a great treatment option for many people since they are nearly invisible as well as convenient. Because you can remove them any time you are eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth, it means you won’t have to shift many of your habits, and you can continue enjoying all your favorite foods throughout treatment!
Are Clear Aligners a Good Fit For You?
The only way to know for sure if aligners will work for you is by making an appointment with Dr. Caballero. Each person’s smile is different, and depending on your unique jaw and teeth alignment needs, he can recommend whether clear aligners would be your best fit. People who have more serious jaw issues sometimes do better with braces or other devices, so it’s a good idea to check things out before you set your heart on aligners. Thankfully, the first appointment you make with Dr. Caballero is completely free!
How to Have a Safe and Successful Treatment with Clear Aligners
1. Wear Your Retainer Regularly
The only way that clear aligners are effective is through consistent wear. Aligners are unique to some other orthodontic treatments in that they are almost completely dependent upon patient compliance. That means it’s up to you to be diligent about wearing your retainer consistently!
We typically recommend that your retainer should be worn all day and all night, only removing it when eating, drinking anything but water, and brushing and flossing. That will get you at more than 22 hours a day! Don’t slack on wearing your retainer, or you will slow down your progress big time!
2. Keep Your Retainer Safe
One of the other big risks that can sometimes come from wearing retainers is the risk of losing them. Since you have to remove your retainers when you are out and about–like having lunch at work or at school–there’s a chance you could accidentally throw them away or lose them. Losing a retainer isn’t the end of the world, but it can slow down your progress.
Our best tip to reduce the chance of losing your retainers is to bring a case with you when you leave the house. Keep one in your work or school bag so that when you sit down for lunch, it will be easy to just pop them into a case instead of wrapping them in a napkin. It’s also a good idea to save the last retainer you just finished wearing as a backup if you do accidentally lose one. That way, you have something to wear until you can get your new retainer replaced!
3. Keep Your Retainer Clean
A clean retainer means a clean mouth, so don’t neglect it! Since you will have your retainer in your mouth for so much each day, there is plenty of time for saliva, plaque, and food particles to dirty your retainers. We recommend brushing them at least once per day. Don’t use the same toothbrush and toothpaste you use on your teeth; instead, keep a toothbrush separate just for your retainers and use hand soap or other light detergent to scrub your retainers thoroughly inside and outside. Rinse well, and your retainer will be ready and safe to wear!
4. Don’t Forget to Switch Things Up
Switching out your retainer every week or two is absolutely essential to keep your alignment process going. It’s not fun to realize that you will have to continue treatment for much longer just because you forgot to change your retainers! Listen to Dr. Caballero’s instructions and set an alarm or calendar reminder so that you keep up with your retainer switches!
5. Work With an Amazing Team to Keep You On Track!
Last but not least, one of the best ways to set yourself up for success on your journey with clear aligners is by working with an amazing team like ours at Master Orthodontics! We have a track record of amazing smile transformations with our patients over the years, and we can’t wait for your smile to be our next transformation.
Get in touch with one of our offices in Bremerton, Port Orchard, or Gig Harbor to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Caballero. Be sure to ask about clear aligners during your visit! We can’t wait to see you get started on crafting the smile of your dreams!
