Clear Aligners – South Lake Smiles

Straighter and Brighter Smile With Clear Aligners

Orthodontic issues such as overcrowded teeth, poor bite, and misaligned teeth are common problems that may affect the appearance of your smile and the function of your teeth.

If you have crooked teeth, you may find it difficult to smile confidently in social situations. However, having a poor bite might also result in dental issues or discomfort, particularly when you chew.

A common treatment that you might think of is dental braces. However, modern technology has improved dentistry. Dental professionals today have a variety of treatments to fix these issues, including clear aligners.

Clear aligners, also known as invisible aligners, are a type of orthodontic treatment that corrects crooked or misaligned teeth. They are an almost invisible and removable alternative to traditional braces that are designed for convenience.

Aligners involve wearing a series of custom-made trays (that look like a mouthpiece) that slip over the teeth.

South Lake Smiles offers a clear aligner that will help you achieve your dream smile!

The Benefits of A Clear Aligners

A growing number of people are finding success with clear orthodontic devices known as aligners.

Your smile and dental health will both benefit from getting your teeth straightened with clear aligners. Aligners work by gradually moving your teeth into proper alignment, giving you a beautiful smile. In addition, straight teeth are essential for oral health. When the teeth do not fit together properly, there can be some oral health concerns.

1.) A short period of treatment

Clear aligners can correct your teeth in half the time that traditional braces may take. Traditional braces often require twelve to twenty-four months of treatment, while aligners can straighten your teeth in six to twelve months.

2.) It's easy to maintain them and brush your teeth

Since conventional braces have metal brackets and wires, it can be challenging to keep your teeth clean. It can be a hassle to use interdental sometimes, especially when you go out. Removable aligners make cleaning your teeth, eating, and going about your everyday activities more convenient than other options.

3.) Improve your oral health

You’ll notice an improvement in your oral health once your teeth are straightened. It is because straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, you will be able to reach every area of your teeth to eliminate food particles and prevent plaque buildup.

4.) No food limitations

Since invisible aligners are removable, you can easily remove them and store them in a case while eating. There is no need to limit your food since they do not have archwires and brackets, which can be more prone to breakage or loss.

5.) Less prone to further dental problems

6.) Discreet and removable

Clear aligners are designed to be more discreet than traditional metal braces. Unlike braces, they are not attached to your teeth permanently. Instead, aligners are placed over the teeth and worn for at least 22 hours per day. This allows you to take them out to eat and drink.

Clear aligners are free of the risk of cuts from metal wires and brackets because, unlike traditional braces, they do not have brackets or wires to encourage the teeth to move and adjust, making them a more comfortable appliance to wear.

Why Choose South Lake Smiles for Clear Aligners Treatment

We understand how challenging it can be to have crooked or crowded teeth or excessive gaps between your teeth. Hence, our dental team will work closely with you to determine the right treatment for you.

Our South Lake Smiles clinic is equipped with the most advanced orthodontic appliances, assuring the highest level of quality and efficiency. With years of experience treating orthodontic issues, our orthodontists are prepared to treat patients with clear aligners. We perform a comprehensive assessment of your mouth and teeth to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment process. If necessary, we can also offer alternatives.

For more information about invisible aligners, contact our dental office today at (08) 6495 4004 today

frequently asked questions about clear aligners

Are Clear Aligners right for you?

Clear aligners are becoming a popular orthodontic treatment because they are a comfortable and cost-effective way of straightening teeth without the hassles involved with braces.

However, aligners may not work for everyone. You can be a good candidate if you are willing to follow treatment instructions and have a mild to moderate misalignment of the dental arch. Furthermore, we highly suggest orthodontic aligners for individuals who are free of cavities and periodontal disease.

How do Clear Aligners work?

Patients are given a set of trays to gradually shift their teeth over time. Each tray is usually good for a week or two. We advise wearing the trays for 22-24 hours a day, removing them only to eat and drink.

Your teeth are slightly straighter in each tray than they were in the previous aligner tray. Teeth move roughly 1/10 mm on average with each tray. The pressure on your teeth is caused by the difference between your present alignment and the slightly different impression of your teeth in your new aligner. Your teeth will start to move to fit the tray after a week (or two) of wearing it. Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, function by applying light pressure to a series of trays over time.

How often should you wear clear aligners?

We advise wearing the trays for 22-24 hours a day, removing them only to eat and drink.

Clear Aligners vs. Traditional Braces

Clear aligners and traditional metal braces are both designed to correct misalignment and have unique advantages and disadvantages. Determining which one work the best depends on the condition of your teeth. Below are some pros and cons of these two orthodontic treatments:

Pros of Clear aligners:

Virtually invisible
Removable
Cleaning is easier.
Brushing your teeth has become easier.
Dental adjustments are less frequent.
It can take a lot less time than braces to complete the treatment.
There is no restriction on food.

Cons of Clear aligners:

It can be inconvenient to remove the aligners.
The cost can be higher than with traditional metal braces.
Discolouration is a common problem with aligners.
Strict discipline is necessary.

Pros of Traditional braces

Suitable to treat all cases of complex orthodontics.
There are several types of braces available, such as lingual braces.
Perfect results are possible because of consistent progress.
It can be more affordable than clear aligners.

Cons of Traditional braces

It is not discreet since dental braces are usually comprised of brackets and archwires.
Hard and chewy foods are not allowed.
It requires regular dental check-ups for adjustment and monitoring.
It is difficult to reach some areas of your teeth.

How long do clear aligners take to straighten teeth?

Your orthodontic treatment may be influenced by the state of your jaw, gums, genes, and even your diet. On average, treatment time takes roughly 12 months to straighten your teeth. However, there are a few things you can do to help minimise that time frame. During your regular visits, the orthodontist will discuss your progress.

How to clean your clear aligners?

For dazzling, clean aligners, clean your aligners twice a day, at the same time you brush your teeth. You can brush the aligners with a soft toothbrush after cleaning them with a denture cleaner. We advise having a separate toothbrush for the aligners and avoiding using toothpaste as it may damage them. Before putting them back in your mouth, remember to rinse them with lukewarm water.
Since aligners are changed every couple of weeks, they may not discolour, but they may still stain. Hence, you need to remove them when eating and drinking (especially coloured drinks). Remember to clean your teeth before wearing them back.
Keep your aligners in their protective cases when not in use. This is not only good hygiene practice, but it also lets you know where they are when they aren’t in your mouth. Keep in mind that the aligner case will need to be cleaned regularly. It is best to get into the habit of cleaning it every now and then when you are doing your dishes in the sink.
Soak the aligners in the aligner cleaning solution once a week. Denture cleaning tablets can be found near the toothbrush section of the store. These goods include dentures, retainers, and aligners like Invisalign. It may suggest soaking the appliance overnight. Leaving your aligners out for too long may affect your treatment. Avoid using too hot water as it can deform your aligners and slow down the teeth straightening process.

The cost of clear Aligners

Each patient requires a different level of orthodontic care. The price of each case will depend on the type of aligners and be determined by the complexity of the case. We will need to conduct a consultation to determine which will be most suitable for you. In Australia, the cost of aligners varies from $2950 to $7950. On the other hand, Invisalign, a popular brand of clear aligners, may cost $3131.54 for sequential plastic aligners – per arch.

What happens after you complete your home clear aligner treatment?

Aftercare is necessary to maintain the appearance of your newly straightened teeth. The maintenance is simple and non-invasive, allowing you to continue living without hiding your beautiful teeth.

During your orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, your teeth will begin to adjust and move. However, they are not permanently positioned yet. So, after your treatment, your dentist will suggest wearing retainers. The teeth may shift back to their original positions, or shift into less pleasing positions, without any intervention. Any orthodontic treatment comes with this risk.

The retainers will keep your teeth in place and prevent them from shifting. Consider retainers as a tool to “train” your teeth. The retainer works by keeping the teeth in their new, beautiful position permanently.