Clear Aligners in Canberra
Clear aligners have become a popular treatment choice in orthodontics as an alternative to traditional braces. They are a discreet, comfortable, and effective way to straighten teeth. At Braddon Dental Surgery, we use advanced digital technology to help plan treatment that is best suited to you, keeping you informed every step of the way.
What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners move teeth using custom fit clear plastic trays that fit snuggly over your teeth. In some cases, tooth movement may require ‘attachments’ (tooth coloured buttons) that are glued on to your teeth. These offer a better grip for the aligners to aid in specific tooth movements.
Clear aligners are ideally worn 20-22 hours a day, only taken out when eating or drinking, in order to achieve the most successful outcome. You will have multiple aligners staged over a period of time as your teeth continue to move during treatment.
At Braddon Dental Surgery, we use Race Aligners – 100% Australian made clear aligners as opposed to other manufacturers that outsource overseas. This means a faster in-lab turnaround to get your treatment started and during the course of your treatment.
Clear Aligners vs Traditional Braces
Aligners work best in adults requiring minor corrections such as crowding, spacing or protruding teeth. More complex problems can be corrected with aligners however outcomes can become less predictable. Therefor for more difficult cases, traditional braces may produce a superior and faster treatment result as they can be more efficient in correcting certain types of issues.
Benefits of Clear Aligners
There are many benefits to clear aligners, as they are:
- Less visible than traditional braces.
- Removable and therefore have less impact on what you can and can’t eat.
- Easier to brush and floss your teeth.
- Custom-fit to your teeth meaning they are more comfortable than traditional braces
The Clear Aligner Process
At your initial consultation, after x-rays, photographs and scanning of your teeth, your dentist will discuss with you your goals for treatment and what can be achieved with clear aligners. A treatment plan is then designed, the aligners fitted, and your series of trays are then given to you to take home.
Your dentist can track your progress remotely through the DentalMonitoring software, meaning less visits to the clinic during your course of treatment.
Once your treatment is completed, you will be given a set of retainers to wear to keep your teeth nice and straight.
Clear Aligner FAQs
How long does treatment with clear aligners take?
Treatment can take as short as six months or up to 18-24 months depending on how difficult the case is, and how well you wear your aligners. Poor compliance can have a negative effect on treatment time as your teeth will not move how they are planned to.
Are clear aligners suitable for all ages?
Yes, clear aligners are suitable for all ages.
Do clear aligners hurt?
All tooth movement will cause some discomfort however clear aligners can be considered more comfortable than braces as the plastic trays are smooth and custom-fit to your teeth.
How often do I need to wear my aligners?
It is recommended to wear aligners for 20-22 hours per day, only taking them out to eat or drink (water is okay). The less you wear your aligners, the more time it will take to achieve your final result.
Can clear aligners fix overbites or gaps?
Clear aligners can fix a wide range of orthodontic problems, however some cases may be better and more efficiently treated with traditional braces. Book your consultation today, to see if clear aligners are the right solution for you.
Book your free consultation today online or call us on (02) 6257 3072 to see if clear aligners might work for you!
