Clear aligner treatment is a great choice for some teeth and bites. However, it might not be the best option for the treatment of every bite, which is why the consultation appointment is so important. At this appointment, all aspects of your teeth and bite are evaluated to ensure that clear aligner treatment will be successful.

Additionally, other factors are important to keep in mind. A major one is compliance with keeping the trays in your mouth for 20-22 hours a day, other than when eating or cleaning your teeth. For patients that eat frequently or are forgetful, this might be challenging and lead to an ineffective treatment. Some patients don’t want to have to remember to keep putting their trays in. Also, after eating, it’s very important to brush your teeth prior to reinserting the trays. For patients that are unable to brush after eating (such as in a school setting with time constraints) this will not be an ideal option.

The plus side is that since the trays are removed to eat, you can eat normally and eat all the foods you typically enjoy. Hard, sticky and crunchy foods are not an issue. However, keep in mind, that foods with the tendency to cause staining are not ideal as they can stain the tooth-colored attachments that are on your teeth. Foods that might cause attachment staining are red wine, mustard, matcha, turmeric, tea and coffee. If you do consume these foods, be sure to brush very thoroughly and soon after eating.

Of course, since clear aligners are transparent, they are a great option for esthetic conscious patients since they are barely visible. Another great advantage is that clear aligners are really easy for your lips and cheeks to adapt to. Lastly, cleaning your teeth is easy too. You can brush and floss normally.

So what do you think? Are clear aligners of interest to you? Schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss options for your smile 🙂

Thank you for your time and join me next time to learn about the process for Braces.