ClearCorrect
A Simpler Way to Straighten Smiles
Wearing braces to the office could get awkward very quickly, but that doesn’t mean that working adults don’t have any good options when it comes to correcting their crooked teeth and uneven bites. With ClearCorrect, Dr. Anderson can offer you a convenient, discreet way to straighten your pearly whites without having to worry about your orthodontic appliance attracting unwanted attention or getting damaged during meals. Call us today to schedule a consultation with us and learn if ClearCorrect could be the answer to creating your dream smile.
How Does It Work?
We begin by taking a digital scan of your mouth. That way we don’t have to rely on messy, uncomfortable dental putty for an impression. The data from our scans is sent to ClearCorrect, where they’re used as reference to create a series of clear aligners that will move the teeth in stages. The aligners are all created with a 3D printer, so you can be sure that they’ll fit properly throughout the treatment. Once you’ve received your aligners, you’ll wear them for at least 22 hours every day, only removing them for meals and your daily hygiene routine. You’ll switch to new aligners as the process continues and your teeth move ever closer to your ideal alignment.
Who Is a Candidate?
ClearCorrect can often be used as an alternative to braces in order to correct mild to moderate orthodontic problems. It’s normally recommended for teenagers and adults, especially those who would feel self-conscious with metal braces; young children generally lack the discipline required to leave their aligners alone throughout the day, which can lead to a prolonged treatment.
When considering ClearCorrect, it’s important to remember that a straighter smile won’t just improve your appearance; it will also enhance your health. It’ll be easier to brush and floss as thoroughly as possible once your teeth are correctly aligned, and you’ll protect your jaw joint from the pressures of an uneven bite (thus preventing painful conditions such as TMJ disorder).
How Much Does It Cost?
You’ll probably want to have a clear idea of what ClearCorrect will cost before committing to athe treatment. Thanks to the way technology has transformed the process, the cost of clear aligners is now comparable to that of traditional braces. The exact price will vary depending on how many aligners are needed and how long they’ll need to be worn. If you have concerns about the costs, remember that correcting your orthodontic issues sooner rather than later could help you avoid jaw pain, dental damage, and other oral health problems that could potentially be costly to treat.
Care and Maintenance
In order to protect your ClearCorrect aligners and ensure a smooth treatment process, we recommend you follow these care and maintenance guidelines:
- Do not eat or drink while wearing your aligners; otherwise, they might get damaged or stained. (Water is okay, though.)
- Do not chew gum or other sticky foods that could stick to the aligners.
- Brush your teeth thoroughly before putting your aligners back in your mouth.
- Use a toothbrush to clean the aligners thoroughly. You should especially make sure that the insides are free of food particles that could get trapped against your teeth.
ClearCorrect FAQs
Will ClearCorrect Hurt?
When your ClearCorrect aligners are made, they’ll be carefully designed so that they fit perfectly on your teeth. That way, they won’t cause unnecessary irritation to your gums or the inside of your mouth. You might experience some discomfort when wearing a new set of aligners for the first time, but this just means that they’re exerting the necessary pressure on the teeth – in other words, they’re doing exactly what they’re supposed to do. Any minor discomfort or sensitivity usually vanishes after giving your mouth a few days to adjust.
Will ClearCorrect Affect My Speech?
Many patients are concerned that they won’t be able to speak clearly with an oral appliance in their mouth, but the truth is that this is rarely a problem when it comes to ClearCorrect. You might have a slight lisp for the first few days; that’s because your tongue and the various muscles in your mouth need to get used to operating with the aligners present. Over time, though, any minor speech issues should fade, and you should be able to speak with confidence at all times. If you want to accelerate the adjustment process, you can practice talking by reading aloud. Take the time to repeat any words that you find particularly troublesome.
Will ClearCorrect Affect My Diet?
Because you can remove ClearCorrect during meals and snacks, there are no dietary restrictions while you’re undergoing the treatment. That said, you do still need to be careful. Chewing gum is generally not recommended because it can get stuck to the plastic and lead to various problems. For that matter, you need to clean your mouth as thoroughly as possible before putting your aligners back in your mouth; any sugars or acids left behind on your teeth could end up trapped in place, giving them an opportunity to cause some real damage to your enamel.
How Long Does the Treatment Last?
On average, ClearCorrect requires less time to make the desired adjustments to the teeth compared to traditional braces. The exact amount of time will vary depending on the type of adjustments needed and the severity of the case. You can normally expect the treatment to be completed in about 12 months, although this depends heavily on your ability to wear the aligners for the specified amount of time each day. Note that even after you’re done with the aligners, you’ll most likely need to wear a special retainer to make sure that the results last over the long term.