We all want to look good, and a smile is our biggest asset. Many of us suffer from teeth alignment issues which affect our confidence to smile freely and live our life to its fullest potential. Clear Aligners are modern alternatives to traditional metal braces. They are transparent trays which are worn over the teeth, and they gradually move your teeth into their ideal position.
They are rapidly growing in popularity because of the convenience it offers. They fix your alignment problems without having to deal with the metallic look of the braces. They are removable, discreet and comfortable to wear. People across all age groups can benefit from the aligner treatment. People all across the world are choosing aligner treatment. If you are looking to seek this treatment, it is important for you to ask the right questions before starting clear aligners. Schedule your consultation and see if you are the right fit for the clear aligner treatment.
Why Is It Crucial to Ask the Right Questions Before Starting Aligners?
Before starting any type of dental treatment, it is always good practice to ask all the possible questions beforehand. You will know what to expect during the treatment and what the outcome will look like. Similarly, once your dentist gives you a green signal, all you need is to gather the important information needed to have a smooth treatment journey with dental aligners. This helps you in setting the right expectations for your treatment. You will be better prepared to manage any potential stumbling blocks easily. This comprehensive guide will help you find the answers you are looking for before starting the clear aligner treatment:
What Are the Most Important Questions One Should Ask the Dentist?
So, one by one, let’s explore some of the most common but important questions that you should ask the dentist before starting the clear aligner treatment.
1. How Do Wearing Aligners Feel Like?
Clear aligners are transparent plastic trays that fit snugly on your teeth. It should feel comfortable to wear but hug tightly to your teeth. They move your teeth slowly as per your set treatment plan. You will receive multiple sets of trays together and you will be asked to switch to the next set in a week or two depending on the material used.
2. How to Maintain the Aligners?
Clear Aligners are easy to maintain. You should remove it while eating food and drinking anything except water. Rinse your mouth properly before wearing aligners. Clean your aligners with tap water and a soft brush. Don’t use hot water or harsh chemicals to wash the aligners as it can damage the aligners.
3. What Is the Wear Schedule of Aligners?
It is recommended to strictly wear it for 22 hours a day and only remove it while eating, drinking, or performing oral hygiene procedures.
4. When Is It Important to Contact the Dentist?
If you damage or lose your aligners, do not switch to the next set directly as it won’t fit and cause more damage to your teeth and the aligners. Also, if the aligners in sequence don’t fit well or if you feel anything unusual, you should contact the dentist, it is always a good idea to discuss your doubts and queries with your dentist.
5. When Should We Immediately Contact the Dentist?
If you feel severe pain or accidentally swallow any part related to your aligner set, you should immediately contact the dentist.
6. What to Expect During the Treatment?
As you move from one tray to the next, you will see your teeth move slowly. By the time you finish your last set of aligners, you should be very close to your ideal smile. If the teeth do not reach their ideal position as per the initial treatment plan, then you might be given a few more sets of aligners to finish the final refinement of the teeth.
7. What Is Not Normal While Wearing the Aligners?
Any type of extreme pain is not normal while wearing the aligners. If your aligners don’t fit in, don’t try to force them on your teeth, contact your dentist as the dentist will guide you on how to manage such situations and help you identify what is normal during aligner treatment. A certain amount of tightness is normal during aligner treatment as it hugs your teeth tightly and moves them to their desired position. You may also feel slight pain if you move to the next set of aligners from the previous one, this pain usually subsides in a while, and it is normal.
8. How Long Can the Treatment Last?
Clear Aligner treatment can last from a few weeks to a few months. In most cases, the dentist can get the result in less than a year.
9. What Kind of Results Can You Expect from Clear Aligners?
Clear Aligners can treat different types of cases with great ease. From mild alignment issues to complex cases, you can expect to see satisfactory results without having to deal with metal braces.
10. Is the Clear Aligner Treatment Covered Under Dental Insurance?
It is not a norm for a country to provide dental insurance coverage, especially not in India. However, it is always a wise option to speak to your insurance provider to see if the clear aligner treatment can be covered.
Conclusion
The clear aligner treatment journey can be a very rewarding experience as you will end up having your desired smile in a convenient manner without having to deal with the issues related to metal braces. This set of questions will help you in deciding when you should seek a dentist’s consultation, and which things are considered normal. For anything unusual, or not covered comprehensively in this guide, we recommend you contact your dentist.
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