How Dental Aligners Work
Garden City / Boise, ID
 The first step in your orthodontic needs is scheduling a consultation with Dr. Geoffrey Herzog or . Together, we will review your current oral health, the placement of your permanent teeth, and any teeth that have yet to erupt or are impacted. We will review what you are seeking for your desired look. After your consultation, we will make recommendations based on your needs.
Clear dental aligners, like Clear Correct may not be the right option for every patient, but this system is appropriate for a wide variety of malocclusions. Generally speaking, aligners are used for cosmetic changes, aligners are most effective for altering the positioning of your front teeth, not for the more complicated jaw and bite issues.
With dental aligners, we have been able to make a significant impact for: | • |
Adjusting spacing and closing gaps
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Moving overcrowded teeth
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Patients with a Crossbite
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Patients with an Overbite
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Patients with an Underbite
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Patients with Uneven Teeth |
Once Dr. Geoffrey Herzog or has determined that aligners would be a good option for what you require, then we will create a customized treatment plan designed to fit you. With 3D images, you will be able to view digital images displaying your current tooth placement and then the result that is done through a series of small movements. When the patient has approved the final strategy, we then send the treatment plan to a dental lab. The lab will fabricate a series of plastic aligners that will then be sent directly to you. Your new dental aligners are made using medical grade polyurethane resin, they are BPA free, and will fit specified to your plan.
The dental aligners is not a single unit, but a bulk volume of clear plastic aligners, depending on your specific plan, there will be approximately 36 aligners in your series. Each aligner will be slightly different, allowing for small movements of your teeth. Each aligner is designed to slowly move and shift your teeth into the desired position, making small changes that you will feel through pressure being applied. Each aligner is designed to be worn for about two weeks after which time you will simply remove and place the next aligner in the series in your mouth.
For best results you will need to wear your aligner a majority of the time, at least 23 hours a day; this will include while you sleep. Ideally, the patient should only be removing their aligners when they are eating, and when they are brushing their teeth. The aligner should not be removed because the patient is experiencing discomfort. Your aligners will at times be uncomfortable, but that is due to the important work that your aligner is doing, it is applying pressure to move your teeth slowly. Patients have contacted us to complain about the strong feeling of pressure that they are experiencing with the aligner, but the pressure is necessary to force movement. This same pressure would apply when wearing metal braces. Once you have finished eating or brushing, we ask that you immediately replace your aligner so that it can continue its job.
Additional Resources
Check out these additional orthodontic resources:
Scheduling An Appointment
If you have any additional questions about clear aligners, give us a call at (208) 391-8554 for more information or to schedule an appointment and start your path to happy healthy straightened teeth. |
