Clear Aligners At Foothills Dentistry
Hi, I'm Dr. Sawyer at Foothills Dentistry. I get a lot of questions about straightening teeth and Invisalign and Clear Liner therapy. I'm here to answer some questions.
What are Clear Liners?
Clear liners are a resin clear material that you wear over your teeth. You don't really see them unless you're looking very closely, but they gradually move your teeth over time when you change them every week. Clear liners are, in my opinion, much better than traditional braces because it's easier for you to clean your teeth. You just pop the clear liner out. You can floss and brush normally. After eating, you can do the same thing—pop them out, eat, floss, brush, and pop them right back in. They're much more aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. They can be, but not always.
How long does Clear Liner treatment take?
Usually, most clear liner cases last between 6 months and maybe up to a year, but some people require longer, and it could take a couple of years. It goes back to what I was saying about the functionality; the fact that you can take them out, floss easier, and brush more easily. They also don't have any metal sharp points that can hurt your lip or bite. You have some smooth tooth-colored buttons, and that's about it. It usually takes anywhere from 3 months to two years to straighten teeth, depending on the complexity of the patient's mouth.
What is the process of getting clear aligners?
The process of getting clear aligners starts with an initial examination where we scan your teeth. Then there's a period where I'm planning how we're going to move your teeth. You'll come in for an initial appointment where we fit the aligners that we've made. We may have to apply some buttons to your teeth or little tooth-colored buttons. Sometimes we have to do some adjustments to your teeth, but usually, that appointment is an hour or less. You walk away sometimes with all your trays that you'll need.
How many trays are needed for Clear Liner therapy?
The trays for clear liner therapy are an acrylic clear, very thin matrix that you wear. You pop them on your teeth. How many trays you need really depends on how much straightening we're doing and how complex your mouth is. It can be anywhere between five trays to 20 trays. It's hard to say, but everyone's individual.
How long should patients wear their liners daily?
Every patient needs to wear their liners anywhere between 22 and 24 hours a day. It's important that you sleep with them.
Can Clear Liners cause soreness?
Some patients have a very complex mouth and situation with how their teeth are, and some of those will require more specialized care that's more complex. Clear liners can sometimes cause some soreness when you put the tray in for the first day or two, but usually after one to two days, that soreness goes away. By the time you're changing your trays, you really don't even know they're in there anymore.
How to schedule an appointment?
At Foothills Dentistry, you come first. Whether you need dental care or simply have questions, call us at (706) 702-2771 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.