Straighter teeth mean better oral health, eye-catching aesthetics, and an easy-to-use bite. You don’t have to worry about being unable to clean your teeth and gums because gaps no longer exist, teeth are not crowded, and your bite sits in a healthier, more comfortable position. However, to get to this point, you must agree to orthodontic treatment. If you prefer the idea of clear aligners over traditional braces, here are four details you should know about before starting your journey.
You Will Likely Experience Mild Discomfort
Clear aligners offer a more comfortable orthodontic experience, but they do cause your teeth and bite to move. As a result, you can expect mild discomfort when you first receive your trays and when switching to a new set. This is normal.
The gentle, consistent pressure moves your teeth over time, so they will eventually reposition themselves in their new location. Fortunately, over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce discomfort.
You May Develop a Slight Lisp
When you begin wearing clear aligners, you will likely develop a slight lisp. The additional material inside your mouth will require your tongue, cheeks, lips, and gums to adjust, which can take time. By practicing hard-to-pronounce words and sounds at home, reading aloud, and slowing down your speech, you will quicken this phase and begin to sound like your usual self within a few weeks.
You May Not Snack As Often
You must wear your clear aligners for 20-22 hours a day to keep your treatment on track. Your dentist in Lockport may suggest allotting so much time for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but you may find you snack less often than before.
The more you remove your trays, the less time your teeth have to shift. This can create delays that require you to wear your aligners longer than initially planned.
By snacking less often and drinking certain beverages a bit more quickly than before (i.e., coffee, soda), you may notice changes in your diet and well-being, which may not be a negative thing.
You May Require Additional Accessories
Not all patients need accessories, but you might. Depending on the complexity of your dental problem, your dentist may want to attach buttons or attachments to help guide certain teeth into alignment. Rubber bands may also be used to move your bite or address problematic teeth. These will come off once treatment is complete.
Now that you know more about clear aligners, you can feel better prepared when talking to your dentist about your treatment plan.
About Grand Dental – Lockport
Grand Dental – Lockport is pleased to have an in-house orthodontic team that can provide superior clear aligner treatment. When discussing methods of care for crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth, we can suggest these invisible trays to make daily living easier and more enjoyable. If you are curious about clear aligners and what they can do for your smile, visit our website or call (815) 240-8068 to schedule an appointment.