Orthodontic treatments can benefit your oral health in the long run. Straighter teeth are easier to clean and maintain, so the best dentist in West Palm Beach will always recommend them if you have malocclusion. However, patients often feel doubtful because they dislike the idea of getting braces.   

The brackets and wires in traditional braces can cause discomfort, impose dietary restrictions, and require extra steps in your oral hygiene routine. Clear aligners, on the other hand, offer a simple but effective solution to prevent this. Because they’re removable, you can take them out to eat and brush your teeth—but are these removable trays the right option for you? Here’s how to figure it out from an expert dental office.  

What Are Dental Aligners?  

Dental aligners are clear, invisible trays that progressively align your smile. They’re an alternative, removable option to traditional braces. Aligners can be taken on and off to eat, floss, and brush your teeth. 

Clear aligners consist of a series of dental trays manufactured to fit the exact mold of your teeth. Tiny movements are incorporated into the trays, and by exchanging them every two to three weeks, they will progressively correct a misaligned bite and teeth. 

Tiny, transparent attachments might also be temporarily affixed to your teeth to facilitate tooth movement. You will receive instructions on how to wear the aligners, how long to wear them (usually 22 hours a day), when to switch to the next set of trays, how to clean them, and other information you’ll need.  

Several variables will determine the length of your treatment, including the complexity of your case and how well you wear the trays.   

Are You a Candidate for Clear Aligners?  

Clear aligners have become a popular orthodontic treatment due to their aesthetic appeal and patient comfort. To determine if you’re a candidate, it’s essential to undergo a series of oral health assessments, from visual oral exams to detailed dental X-rays. 

During these exams, some factors we’ll look out for include: 

• Mild to Moderate Malocclusions: Clear aligners are most effective for patients with mild to moderate dental misalignments, such as minor crowding or spacing issues. 

• Patients with Fully Erupted Permanent Teeth: Ideal candidates are adults and adolescents with fully erupted permanent teeth. 

• Good Oral Health: Being free of cavities, gum disease, and other oral infections is crucial before starting any type of orthodontic treatment. 

Contraindications for Clear Aligner Therapy 

On the other hand, some indicators that you may not be a candidate for clear aligners include: 

• Severe Malocclusions: Clear aligners are typically unsuitable for cases involving significant crowding or spacing (over 5 mm), impactions, or severe craniofacial skeletal deviations. 

• Patients with Mixed Dentition: Children who have not fully developed their permanent teeth may not be ideal candidates for clear aligners.  

• Complex Dental Movements: Significant tooth rotations, extrusion, or closure of large spaces may be challenging to achieve with clear aligners alone. 

Enjoy a Straighter Smile with the Help of the Best Dentist in West Palm Beach 

Teeth aligners can be an excellent way to improve your oral health. In addition to making your smile look better, straight teeth can make brushing and flossing easier, increase chewing efficiency, lessen jaw issues, and improve speech clarity, among many other advantages. 

Additionally, you’re a great candidate for it as long as you enjoy a healthy mouth. At CJ Dental, we believe in the benefits of clear aligners, which is why we aim to offer an accessible treatment. Contact us today to determine with precision whether our aligners are right for you!