Dr. Mark B. Huls and our wonderful staff at Huls Orthodontics in Champaign, Illinois, know the importance of your teeth. We offer an array of treatments for every member of your family and will ensure you feel at ease during your appointment. If you have issues like crowding or crooked teeth, clear aligners might be for you. These are facts about the treatment and when they should be changed.
What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are a set of plastic trays custom-made to fit your mouth. They can correct orthodontic problems just like traditional braces. They are clear, which means they're less noticeable than alternative treatments. They're made through impressions or scans of your mouth and using technology to create 3D scans of your teeth.
When Are Clear Aligners an Appropriate Treatment?
You can get clear aligners to treat certain orthodontic issues. They're appropriate if you have any of the following:
- Crooked teeth
- Crowding of the teeth
- Gaps between the teeth
If you have severe jaw problems, you might need traditional braces or surgery before getting aligners. Our Champaign orthodontic staff will assess your condition to determine what you need to achieve your best smile.
How to Know When to Change Your Aligners
Because the purpose of clear aligners is to pull your teeth together into the proper position, you'll occasionally need them changed. After your initial appointment, you'll have to return within a week or two so Dr. Huls can check your progress. Depending on how well your teeth move, you'll be scheduled for an appointment for your next set of aligners.
No two people are the same, so when your clear aligners need to be changed, it is unique to you. If your teeth have shifted to the point where your trays no longer fit, you need a new set. This allows your teeth to continue repositioning, bringing you one step closer to your most beautiful smile.
What Are the Benefits of Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners can benefit teens and adults with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. They are clear and virtually invisible, making them discreet so that nobody has to know you're wearing them. This allows you to correct bite or alignment problems without feeling self-conscious.
Using clear aligners can benefit your oral health. You can remove them to brush your teeth, floss, and use a waterpick, which helps eliminate excess food particles. This can prevent bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease.
Unlike with regular braces, you're free to eat whatever you like with clear aligners. You don't have to worry about anything hard damaging or sticking to them.
Clear aligners are comfortable compared to traditional braces. There are no wires or brackets that can nick your gums. They fit snugly on your teeth and allow you to go about your day without worry or pain.
Clear aligners might be the best option if you need braces to correct an orthodontic issue. Contact Huls Orthodontics at our Champaign office at (217) 352-4334 or our Monticello office at (217) 762-7313 today.