Smiling improves health and self-confidence. Studies have proven that smiling releases endorphins that make people happy and less stressed. Smiling regularly helps you become happier and more relaxed.
Crooked teeth or gaps between teeth can greatly affect self-confidence. People who feel they cannot smile miss out on many of the social benefits that a smile brings.

But who really wants to go through the trouble of having conventional braces put in by an orthodontist and wearing them? Wearing metal braces will not improve your smile confidence and in most cases will even make it worse!

How about braces that are invisible and not noticeable when you smile? If the answer to this question is "Yes, please", then you've come to the right place. This blog will tell you everything you need to know about modern invisible braces called clear aligners!

So what are clear aligners?

Clear aligners are nearly invisible, splint-like dental appliances used to straighten crooked teeth. They apply gentle, even pressure to move your teeth into an appropriate position. What's the good news? Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners don't require metal wires and brackets, which means ongoing adjustments are easier and more comfortable.

How do the Clear Aligners work?

Clear aligners are comfortable, virtually invisible and gentle on your teeth.

During treatment, several aligner trays are used to achieve the desired position of the teeth. Using 3D scans of your teeth and jaw, a set of aligners is made. Each aligner applies gentle pressure to your teeth, changing the physical position of your teeth. After each small movement that an aligner tray makes, you move to the next aligner tray, which provides more movement. This continues until your teeth are straightened or gaps are closed and your smile has finally improved.

Do clear aligners work as well as braces?

In most cases, clear aligners are just as effective as metal braces. The main advantages are a much better appearance during treatment and a higher level of comfort and overall oral hygiene .

• Almost invisible - For patients who are concerned about their aesthetic appearance, clear aligners are the best option. They are made of plastic and are almost invisible, so you can wear them without attracting undue attention.
• Comfortable - Compared to traditional braces, clear aligners are more comfortable and gentle on your gums and other soft tissues.
• Fewer visits to the dental clinic - With traditional braces, you have to go to the dentist every month to adjust the wires, change them, or if your bracket is broken. With clear aligners, however, you will need fewer appointments because the aligners are custom made for you. Unless your case is a complicated one, your dentist will hand you several aligners that you can wear yourself, making sure to take them out when you eat, brush, or floss.

To achieve effective results, you must wear them for at least 22 hours a day. Throughout the treatment period, your dentist will keep regular appointments to monitor progress, even in mild cases. So, treatment with Clear Aligners is more convenient and requires fewer and shorter visits to the office.

Can clear aligners damage the teeth?

When the aligners are worn while eating, they can become a home for a lot of bacteria and sugar. If the aligners are not cleaned from time to time, this accumulation of bacteria can easily lead to decay of the teeth. Consuming flavored beverages, soda and fruit juices can lead to discoloration of the aligners and teeth. Therefore, it is best not to eat food while wearing the aligners. To avoid bacterial deposits on your teeth, always floss and/or brush your teeth before wearing the aligners.

Aligners that are carelessly stored in an unsanitary environment can easily harbor harmful bacteria that can be absorbed into the body when worn. Therefore, it is important to clean the aligners regularly and store them in a clean aligner case with ventilation holes to keep them dry. You can soak your aligners in a denture cleaner once a day or clean the inside of the aligner case with a soft brush and toothpaste.

How long does it take for the Clear Aligners to work?

The average duration of treatment with aligners is 8-10 months. The exact duration depends on the complexity of the case. To find out how long the treatment with aligners lasts, ask your dentist.

How can you be sure that Clear Aligners are right for you?

To be sure whether or not clear aligners are the right treatment for you, it is advisable to consult a dentist or orthodontist. Nevertheless, you are a good candidate for aligners if:

you underwent traditional orthodontic treatment as a teenager, but nowyour teeth have shifted again from their previous position, resulting in crooked alignment.

you have protruding teeth that cause you to be unable to close your lips, or you have a crossbite, an open bite, a deep bite, or a raised overbite. Your teeth are too close together or have gaps between them.