The Truth About Clear Aligners

Traditional braces are an incredible orthodontic tool, with a long history of successfully correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues. Over the years, they’ve gone through a bit of a makeover, and today’s braces are more comfortable and effective than ever. Even with these improvements, however, some patients are still hesitant about using braces to straighten their smile. Fortunately, there’s another option for teens and adults who want to improve their oral health but aren’t sure traditional braces are the right choice for them! 

Here at Williams & Hamman Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer patients a range of clear aligners to treat cases from mild to complex. Clear aligner systems like Invisalign can give patients beautiful results without using any brackets, wires, and bands. If you’ve been exploring the idea of improving your smile with orthodontics but prefer a more flexible treatment option, clear aligners could be the perfect solution for you! Keep reading below to learn more about what they are, how they work, and why we’re so excited to offer this treatment to our patients. 

What are clear aligners? How do they work?

Like traditional braces, clear aligners gently and gradually shift the teeth until they reach the desired positions. But instead of using multiple components to do this, clear aligner systems use a series of customized trays to treat crooked teeth and other orthodontic issues. Each aligner is made of a smooth thermoplastic material and custom-designed to fit firmly but comfortably over the patient’s teeth. 

To produce the best results, aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours each day, throughout the treatment process. Patients are also responsible for replacing each aligner with the next in the series every 1-2 weeks. This allows them to keep up with the movements the teeth are making. Eventually, all that’s left is a beautifully aligned smile that’s also fully functional! 

Clear aligners can treat many common orthodontic issues

When it comes to treating many of the most common orthodontic issues, clear aligners can be very effective, especially in mild to moderate cases of overbite, underbite, overcrowding, and gapped teeth. Patient compliance plays an essential role in this, however. If the aligners aren’t worn the recommended 20-22 hours daily, it can lead to longer treatment times and subpar results.

Clear aligners offer patients more flexibility than traditional braces

It takes a little time and patience to get used to any type of orthodontic treatment, but traditional braces do come with a bit more of a learning curve! Food restrictions are a perfect example of this. In order to protect the brackets and wires, patients must avoid anything that could damage them, including crunchy or sticky snacks. It can be frustrating to give up some of your favorite foods, even if it’s only temporary!

In contrast, clear aligners are designed to be removed during mealtimes, so you’ll still be able to eat just about anything you normally would. A good oral hygiene routine is important, though. As luck would have it, this is one more area where clear aligners excel! Because they’re removable, you simply brush and floss as you normally would. This reduces the chance of bacteria and plaque being trapped against your teeth and helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy. 

Clear aligners are comparable in cost to traditional braces

You may think that any alternative to braces would be more expensive, but clear aligners are actually quite comparable in cost! As with any treatment, several factors will determine what the total cost will be, including the complexity of the case and the appliance being used. On average, however, clear aligners will cost just about the same as traditional braces.

At Williams & Hamman Orthodontics, our goal is to provide outstanding care for a reasonable price. After evaluating your case, one of our doctors will be able to determine a price that fits your specific orthodontic needs. For your convenience, we offer flexible payment plans and convenient online services. We’ll also check with your insurance company to see if they will cover orthodontic treatment. We’re happy to help you file your insurance claims and paperwork to ensure you receive the maximum benefit.

Clear aligners are less noticeable than traditional braces

If you’re already feeling self-conscious about the way your teeth look or feel, the last thing you want is something that will make your smile stand out even more. One of the biggest benefits of clear aligners is that they are virtually invisible! In fact, it’s possible to get through an entire course of treatment without anyone even noticing them. This can make them an excellent option for teens and adults who are concerned about how traditional braces may affect their appearance or lifestyle.

Clear aligners mean fewer visits than with traditional braces

Even in the middle of a pandemic, we’re all busy with work, school, and socially distanced extracurriculars. Orthodontic appointments are just one more thing to add to the calendar. Patients wearing clear aligners tend to require less frequent visits overall since there aren’t any adjustments to make or broken components to repair. You’ll generally have a check-up visit every 4-8 weeks or so, but we do our best to get you in and out of the chair as quickly as possible!

Trust your smile to the experts at Williams & Hamman Orthodontics

At Williams & Hamman Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer patients in Olive Branch and Southaven personalized treatment plans and a stress-free orthodontic experience. If you’d like to learn more about achieving a beautiful smile with clear aligners, get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation with us. There’s never been a better time to take the first step towards a confident smile that shines!