Clear Aligner Braces

Cottage Grove, Wisconsin

If you're searching for a solution to straighten your smile without having to deal with metal braces, Wisconsin Family Dental is here to help. We're pleased to offer clear aligner braces to gently and discreetly straighten your teeth and perfect your smile. We are proud to offer Aligners by Apex, powered by Smile Shapers. These esthetic and convenient clear aligners ensure a treatment process that is comfortable and stress-free. Unlike traditional braces, Aligners by Apex are crafted out of biocompatible thermoplastic that is smooth and gentle against the soft tissue inside a patient's mouth. Book your consultation with Dr. Behling to determine whether clear aligner therapy is right for you.

What Are Clear Aligner Braces?

Clear aligner braces are custom trays that fit snugly over your teeth, placing pressure where needed to move them into alignment. The revolutionary orthodontic treatment option is highly effective at treating a range of mild to complex orthodontic cases, including gaps between teeth, improper spacing, misalignment, or crowding. Clear aligner therapy can also correct mild to moderate problems with the bite, including overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.

What Are the Benefits of Clear Aligner braces?

Clear aligner braces continue to grow in popularity because of their numerous benefits. The virtually invisible orthodontic solution offers a discreet alternative to metal braces, allowing you to achieve a beautifully straight smile without people noticing. Moreover, your aligner trays are made of a smooth plastic material that's much more comfortable than wearing braces with their metal brackets and wires.

Clear aligner therapy is convenient, straightening your teeth without impacting your life. The aligners are removable, allowing you to brush, floss, and clean your teeth as you normally would. Want to eat your favorite foods? Have a special event? Simply take your aligners out and wear them when you're done.

Straightening your teeth using clear aligner braces will reduce your treatment time by up to 50 percent compared to traditional metal braces. Achieving straight teeth will make it easier to brush and floss effectively, enhancing your oral health and reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

What Should You Expect with the Clear Aligner Braces Process?

We'll start with a smile assessment to evaluate your unique needs. We will take digital scans of your mouth to map out your custom treatment plan and create your clear aligner trays. You'll even get to preview your expected results.

When your aligners are ready, we'll explain the process to you. You'll need to wear your invisible braces for 20 to 22 hours a day for the best results. About every two weeks, you'll swap one set of aligners for the next in the series. We'll monitor your progress periodically during your course of treatment to ensure your smile stays on track.

As your treatment progresses, you'll be amazed to see your teeth noticeably shift into alignment. Once you achieve the smile of your dreams, you'll need to wear custom retainers to ensure your teeth don't gradually move back to their original positions.

FAQ's

Am I a Good Candidate for Clear Aligners?

Clear aligner therapy is a modern solution for straightening teeth without the use of traditional braces. These aligners are custom-made to fit your teeth and are virtually invisible, offering a discreet and comfortable alternative to metal brackets and wires.

But are you a good candidate for this innovative treatment? Generally, clear aligners are suitable for adults and teenagers with fully erupted permanent teeth. They are an excellent option for correcting mild to moderate dental misalignments, such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, gaps between teeth, and crowding.

However, the best way to determine your suitability for clear aligners is through a comprehensive dental examination. Dr. Natalie Behling at Wisconsin Family Dental in Cottage Grove, WI, will assess your oral health, dental alignment, and discuss your treatment goals. This personalized approach ensures you receive the most effective treatment plan for your unique needs.

How Long Do Clear Aligners Take to Straighten Teeth?

The duration of clear aligner therapy varies from person to person, depending on the complexity of the dental alignment issue. On average, most patients complete their treatment within 12 to 18 months. However, some may see results in as little as six months, while others with more complex issues may require up to 24 months.

It's essential to remember that the success of clear aligner therapy heavily depends on patient compliance. The aligners need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day, removed only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene practices. Regular check-ins with Dr. Behling will also ensure your treatment is progressing as planned.

How To Care For Clear Aligner Trays?

Proper care of your clear aligner trays is crucial to maintaining their effectiveness and keeping your oral health in check. Here are some tips on how to care for your aligners:

Clean your aligners daily: Use a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to gently clean your aligners. Rinse them thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Avoid eating or drinking with aligners in: Except for water, remove your aligners before eating or drinking to prevent staining or damage.
Store them properly: When not in use, store your aligners in their protective case to avoid loss or damage.
Maintain good oral hygiene: Brush and floss your teeth before reinserting your aligners to prevent trapping food particles and bacteria.

Remember, damaged or dirty aligners can affect your treatment progress and oral health. If you have any concerns about caring for your aligners, do not hesitate to contact Wisconsin Family Dental.

What Alignment Issues Can Clear Aligners Fix?

Clear aligners are a versatile treatment option capable of correcting various dental alignment issues. These include:

Overbite: This occurs when the upper teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth.
Underbite: This is the opposite of an overbite, where the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth.
Crossbite: This happens when some of the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth rather than on the outside.
Open bite: This refers to when the upper and lower teeth do not meet when the mouth is closed.
Gaps between teeth: Clear aligners can help close excessive space between teeth.
Crowding: This occurs when there isn't enough space in the jaw for all the teeth to fit comfortably or naturally.

While clear aligners can solve these issues effectively, they may not be the best solution for severe or complex cases. Dr. Behling will provide a thorough evaluation to determine the most suitable treatment option for your dental needs.