Clear Aligner Therapy
in Cedar Park, TX
Many patients wish that they had straight teeth, but don’t want to commit to one to three years of wearing bulky metal braces. Fortunately, our practice offers two great options for clear aligner therapy. Clear aligners are more convenient and less noticeable than traditional braces, and they can fix just about any orthodontic issue that metal braces can. To learn more about our clear aligner services, please get in touch with our friendly front office team!
Get In TouchHow are custom clear aligners created?
Some dental practices still use old-fashioned dental impressions that require patients to bite down on a tray full of goopy dental putty. Our modern dental office uses intraoral cameras to create digital impressions quickly and easily. Intraoral cameras are moved along the sides and bottom of the teeth to capture thousands of high-quality images per second, and these impressions are then sent to a lab. They create very accurate impressions the first time around, no foul-tasting putty required! They are also a much better option for patients who have sensitive gag reflexes.
Our Clear Aligner Options
Vista Ridge Family Dentistry offers clear aligner therapy through Invisalign and ClearCorrect. Once impressions of your smile have been taken, your first set of aligners will be created. After you collect them from our office, you will be expected to wear your aligners for at least 21 to 22 hours per day, and switch to the next aligner in the series every two weeks to keep your treatment plan on track. Once your treatment is complete, we will provide you with a retainer to wear at night to keep your teeth perfectly in place.
Do clear aligners hurt to wear?
When you first begin your orthodontic treatment, you may notice that your gums and mouth feel a little sore or uncomfortable. That just means your aligners are working! Your teeth are not used to being shifted, but after a week or two, they should feel totally natural in your mouth. We recommend putting in new aligners before bed, so your teeth begin to adjust while you sleep. You can also use ice packs, dental wax, and pain medication to relieve discomfort.
How do you care for clear aligners?
To keep your aligners clear and discreet, you should clean them with a toothbrush and an antibacterial soap at least once per day. Rinse them off with cold or warm (not hot) water every time you take them out of your mouth, and make sure you never eat while wearing your aligners, as that can damage and stain them. When you aren’t wearing them, store them in their container, not in a napkin, as they may accidentally get lost or thrown away!
Should I use Invisalign or ClearCorrect?
Our team stands by both products, as they can both be used to help patients achieve their dream smiles discreetly and effectively. Some patients find that ClearCorrect aligners are a little thinner, which makes them a little less noticeable than Invisalign aligners. On the other hand, Invisalign aligners have also been said to be more durable. If you aren’t sure which one you want to go with, our team would be more than happy to help you decide at your orthodontic consultation.
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