If you want a straighter smile but you’d prefer to avoid wearing braces, clear aligner therapy from your dentist in Schertz, TX may be just what you need. We offer both Invisalign and SureSmile, which are two leading providers of clear aligner therapy.
In clear aligner therapy, braces are replaced with sets of clear plastic “aligners.” These look sort of like mouthguards or retainers. When worn, they exert pressure on your teeth and shift them toward a healthier position. By switching through multiple sets of aligners, you can move your teeth, transform your smile, and improve your oral health. Contact us now for a consultation with Dr. Strahler, and see if clear aligner therapy is right for you.
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Clear aligners like Invisalign and SureSmile can correct most minor-to-moderate orthodontic problems. This includes:
An overbite is when the upper teeth protrude further than the lower teeth. This can cause the chin to look weak, and it also may cause a higher risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and jaw pain.
In an underbite, the lower teeth protrude further than the upper teeth. This may make the chin look more prominent than usual. Like an overbite, it also raises the risk of premature tooth wear, decay, gum disease, and jaw pain.
A crossbite happens when some of your upper teeth fit inside of the lower teeth. Crossbites cause tooth wear and damage as well as other dental health issues.
Gaps between your teeth are mostly a cosmetic problem, but can make your smile look unbalanced and uneven. Clear aligners help close gaps between front teeth and other teeth, providing you with a healthier smile and a more attractive appearance.
An open bite is when there’s a gap between the upper and lower teeth, even when your teeth are clenched. Like other bite problems (malocclusions), an open bite can affect your appearance, and can also contribute to lots of other dental health issues if left untreated.
Crowded teeth happen when you don’t have enough space in your mouth for all of your teeth. They may grow in crookedly or in improper positions. With clear aligners, you can correct the position of your teeth, enhance your smile, and prevent further dental health problems.
Not always. Clear aligners can be used for most patients. But if you have really severe orthodontic issues, braces are likely a better option. They're more versatile. Along with some other treatments, braces can be used to treat just about any orthodontic problem.
Most patients need about 20-24 sets of aligners. Each set is worn for about 2 weeks. That means the average treatment time is about a year. However, this can vary depending on the extent of your orthodontic issues. Less complex cases need shorter treatment times, and more complex cases may need longer treatment times.
First, they're invisible when worn, and won’t affect your speech. This makes them much more subtle than braces. Clear aligners also can be removed to eat and drink, and to brush and floss. They also are usually more comfortable than braces, since there are no metal parts that can poke or irritate your mouth. You also don’t usually need as many checkups as you do with braces, which saves you time and means fewer visits to the dentist.
