Teeth straightening with Invisalign and clear aligners

Many teens and adults can. Cleveland Clinic explains that clear aligners treat crowded or crooked teeth, and some mild to moderate bite problems, where the upper and lower teeth do not line up. It also says the treatment is not an option for everyone, and your dentist decides if it is right for you.

The American Dental Association notes that healthy teeth can be treated with braces at any age, and adults can have treatment too. Your teeth and gums need to be healthy first, so your dentist checks for decay and gum disease before starting.

If aligners are not a good fit, your dentist can talk about braces or about seeing another dental provider for a complex bite. See the Invisalign and clear aligners pages for the practice's own descriptions. The glossary explains malocclusion and crowded teeth.

It follows a set path. Cleveland Clinic says the process starts with digital pictures and an optical scan or molds of your teeth. Those are used to map how each tooth will move. A lab makes the aligners, and tiny dental attachments may be placed on your teeth to help the aligners move them.

You wear a series of trays, switching to the next one on a schedule your dentist gives you. Follow-up visits check the fit and your progress. Cleveland Clinic notes that you may feel pressure or soreness, especially when you start a new tray, and that it typically eases within a few days.

When the teeth reach their new place, a retainer holds them there. Ask how long you will wear it each day and for how many years. Ask what to do if a tray cracks or goes missing. Read our Invisalign vs braces guide and the glossary on aligner attachments.

They differ in upkeep and sometimes in speed. Cleveland Clinic says aligners generally need fewer restrictions than braces. You take them out to eat and clean your teeth. With braces you may need to avoid certain foods and use new cleaning tools. On the other hand, traditional braces may fix some dental issues more quickly, and none of these treatments is a quick fix.

Braces correct a wide range of issues, including crooked, gapped, rotated or crowded teeth, as Cleveland Clinic notes. The American Dental Association says treatment with braces usually runs one to three years, followed by a retainer.

Aligners take discipline. They only work if you wear them as directed. Braces stay on without your effort. Your dentist helps you choose based on your teeth, your bite and your habits. See our blog post on clear aligners for adults over 50 and the Invisalign vs braces guide.

Some bite problems need more than aligners. Cleveland Clinic says clear aligners treat some types of mild to moderate bite problems, and that the treatment is not an option for everyone. Your dentist can tell you whether your bite falls inside that range.

Your dentist tells you honestly what aligners can and cannot do for your teeth. That might mean braces, treating gum disease first, or seeing another dental provider for a complex case. It might also mean combining aligners with other care, such as bonding or veneers after teeth are in place. See smile makeover for how treatments fit together.

The consultation is the way to find out. Bring your questions and any photos of your smile. Request an appointment or call (636) 273-5866.

Teeth can move back. Cleveland Clinic explains that your teeth can still move on their own back to their previous position once treatment ends, and wearing a retainer helps keep them in the correct place. Your dentist explains the plan for your retainer.

Bring your retainer to checkups. If it cracks or no longer fits, call the office. Our blog post on why you still need retainers explains more, and the glossary covers retainer.

For cost, Town Center Dental gives each patient a personal estimate and does not publish prices. Ask what the estimate includes, such as retainers and follow-up visits. Coverage for straightening varies by plan, so check yours. The insurance and financing page lists what to bring.