Most people don’t have perfectly straight teeth, and a few misaligned teeth are probably not the first thing that people notice about you. However, having misaligned teeth might be something that you notice in yourself quite a lot. Perhaps you are self-conscious about your smile and wish that you were able to smile more in photos. The good news is that you deserve to have the smile that you want, and there are plenty of options available to help you achieve it. Aligners are an increasingly popular option for straightening teeth and there is a growing range of different types available with something to suit almost everyone. Thanks to aligners, getting the smile of your dreams might be more in reach than you think it is!
Removeable, clear aligners are becoming a more and more popular alternative to fixed metal braces for people who are eligible for this treatment. They are generally used to fix mild to moderate misalignment issues and can be worn for several months up to a year depending on how much movement your teeth need to get the results that you want. Keep reading to find out more about some of the main benefits of using aligners to straighten your teeth.
Page Contents:
Nothing Fixed to Your Teeth
For many people who like the idea of aligners for correcting teeth misalignment, the most appealing thing is that they are removeable. Unlike braces, where you literally have metal glued onto your teeth for several months, clear aligners can be popped in and out at your discretion. You can take them out to eat, so you don’t need to worry about food getting stuck in your braces. If you have a big event coming up that you want to look your best for, you can simply not wear the aligners for a day and put them back in when you get home.
Flexibility
The removeable nature of aligners gives you more flexibility and control over them compared to a fixed brace. While you will need to commit to wearing them for a certain amount of time each day and night in order for them to have the desired effect on your teeth, you are not stuck with them throughout the treatment, and can give yourself breaks if needed. This might be more appealing for you if you’ve had a fixed brace before, and don’t like the idea of going through that again.
Looks Better
Fixed braces are not very appealing – after all, you have a mouth full of metal! Wearing a fixed brace might even make you more self-conscious than having misaligned teeth. Aligners for teens are a great idea as many teens care about how they look and want to make a good impression. Aligners for teenagers are becoming more and more popular as teens are more fashion-forward and don’t want to go to school every day with a mouth full of silver brackets. And, a fixed brace is not always needed unless the misalignment is severe, so it makes sense to opt for an aligner that fits snugly over your teeth, is completely clear and barely noticeable.
Easier Cleaning
Taking care of your teeth with aligners and making sure that they stay in great condition is a breeze. Compared to fixed braces that often become huge food traps and may require specialist brushes and flossing tools to make sure that your teeth get cleaned properly around the brace, all you need to do to brush and floss your teeth with an aligner is remove it. Since you can simply take the aligner out, rinse it and put it to one side while you’re brushing and flossing, you can simply carry on with your normal dental hygiene routine that has been working for you.
More Food Choices
Unlike with fixed braces that can snap if you bite into something hard like an apple, you won’t have this problem with a clear, removable aligner. You will take the aligner out to eat, so there’s nothing getting in the way of you enjoying your food. You also don’t need to worry about eating or drinking anything that might stain the brace. Some fixed braces are designed to be less noticeable and are made from ceramic rather than metal to blend in with your teeth. But drink coffee, or eat a curry, and you can easily stain the elastics that are used to fix the wire to the brackets and make it really noticeable. This isn’t an issue with an aligner as you simply take it out to enjoy your food. Bear in mind, however, that your teeth might be a little bit tender or sensitive when you first remove the aligner due to the pressure it puts on them, so soft foods might be a wise idea.
Straighten Your Teeth at Home
Another big advantage of going with clear aligners rather than a fixed brace if you don’t need one is that there are no visits to the orthodontist to have your brace tightened every few weeks. Instead, many companies today allow you to do this yourself at home by sending you an impressions kit. All you need to do is put your teeth into the mold and let it set, then send it back. A new, tighter aligner will be made and sent back to you for you to swap to. This will happen as many times as is needed until your teeth are straight, as a way to move them gradually.
Shorter Treatment Time
As aligners tend to be the best option for mildly misaligned teeth, they usually come with a shorter treatment time compared to fixed braces. In fact, depending on the problem or problems that you want to correct with your teeth, you could have the desired results in six months or less, which is around half the minimum time you can usually expect with a fixed brace.
Nighttime Options
If you want to keep your teeth free throughout the day, for school or work for example, then you can also get aligners that are designed for you to wear at night as you are sleeping. This is a great option for anybody who wants to straighten their teeth as subtly as possible, or simply wants to be able to focus on other things throughout the day. All you need to do is put the aligners over your teeth at night when you go to bed and remove them in the morning. It’s also a good idea to wear them during the day whenever you can, but you don’t always have to.
Save Money
Finally, aligners for straightening your teeth are now more affordable than they once were. In many cases, they can be cheaper than a fixed brace as they do not take as long to straighten your teeth. Along with this, there are several ways to pay for your aligners with options available to help you spread the cost. Many companies offer monthly instalment plans or allow you to pay over several payments, which are usually due when you order a new, tighter aligner after completing the last one.
If you want to straighten your teeth but are put off by the hassle of a fixed metal brace, then clear aligners are an option worth considering.
