Straight teeth and a perfect smile are among the most common reasons people want to visit a dentist. Many adults believe if they didn’t have braces when they were young, straight teeth are simply not an option as adults. They believe the window of opportunity has passed, or they just don’t want people to see them with braces. Well, would it surprise you to learn that you can still get straight teeth as an adult without braces? How? Clear aligners (aka ClearCorrect, Invisalign, and SureSmile).
How do they work?
Clear aligners are a set of custom-formed “trays” (essentially mouthpieces) that incrementally move your teeth until they are straight. Since they are translucent, even up close they are very hard to detect, allowing patients to go about their normal lives without giving away what’s going on in the background, behind their smile.
Essentially, each tray in the series offers a nudge in the right direction, slowly repositioning teeth until they are perfectly aligned. There are times where additional grip is needed for the aligners to move teeth. This requires “buttons,” which are fillings that are color-matched and placed on the outer surface of the tooth. Any buttons remain on during the entirety of treatment, but are removed in the final steps. In cases involving crowding, very slight trimming of some teeth might be required to create space. No matter what your situation is, rest assured, the treatment plan will be entirely customized for you and your mouth, using the dentist’s extensive experience coupled with sophisticated software to ensure a successful outcome.
What is the difference between Invisalign and clear aligners?
Essentially there is no difference other than the brand or company associated with the software and the aligners. Some doctors might use ClearCorrect, some use Invisalign, and some use SureSmile. All in all, they are different manufacturers all making clear aligners.
What about at-home kits?
If your goal is a new smile that will last a lifetime, it is important to make sure your treatment is monitored by a qualified cosmetic dentist and to avoid at-home kits. Professionally crafted clear aligners have tons of research behind them, along with top-tier materials. Additionally, the techniques that Dr. Robin Lobato and Dr. Sean Truong are trained in, along with the amazing planning software they use, make the outcome predictable and sustainable.
Clear aligners are the perfect solution. If you live in Las Vegas or the Summerlin area and would like a free consultation on clear aligners, please contact Robin D. Lobato & Associates today. We’ve been providing quality cosmetic dentistry to Las Vegas and Summerlin since 1999. Your smile will thank you.
