Best Aligners by Hinsdale’s Best Orthodontists
In the past, metal braces were the only way to get straighter teeth to treat patients and improve oral health. These bracket and wire combos make you stand out, leading to name-calling and teasing. Because of this, many people hate the thought of wearing braces. This led people to ignore their alignment issues, causing their oral health problems and their dental misalignment issues to get worse.
Advances in technology have led to new and improved options for straightening teeth. Invisalign clear aligners are an example. For these removable aligners, there are options such as Invisalign and Spark who have revolutionized the dental industry, allowing people to straighten their teeth discreetly and obtain proper alignment. These aligners can help with mild to moderate crooked teeth issues, such as overbite, tooth decay, underbite, and crossbite issues from baby teeth.
Clear retainers and are great orthodontic treatment options to fix mild to moderate alignment issues for proper alignment. Many dental patients are good candidates for aligners. Interested in learning more about how they can help achieve straight teeth? Contact our Clarendon Hills, IL orthodontists at Hinsdale Ortho to schedule a free orthodontic consultation. Learn more about your traditional orthodontics options for a straighter smile and see if aligners are the clear choice for you to fix your oral health issues.
The Process
When you choose Hinsdale Ortho in the Clarendon Hills, IL area, your free initial consultation starts with impressions from a high-tech iTero digital scanner. Our orthodontists, Dr. Riccio and Dr. Blair, will make your first set of custom aligners. You’ll change them out every week or two as your teeth move into place.
Every patient in the Clarendon Hills, IL is unique, so there is no set time period for your treatment. However, your orthodontist will likely provide an estimate for how long you need to wear your aligners. You’ll likely wear your aligners for 12-18 months unless your case is extreme. You will typically use 18-30 sets of aligners throughout the course of your treatment at Hinsdale Ortho. You should notice your teeth getting straighter every month.
You should aim to wear the aligner trays for about 22 hours a day. Remove your clear braces to eat and brush your teeth as part of your oral care routine.
How Do Aligners Work vs. Traditional Braces?
There are two main manufacturers of clear aligners: Invisalign and Spark. Both use clear plastic aligners to move teeth gradually into their desired positions. These clear braces are custom-made for each patient using 3D computer imaging technology.
The clear braces are designed to apply pressure to specific teeth in order to gradually shift them into the desired position. Each set of aligners is worn for a specific period of time — typically a week or two — and then replaced by the next set in the series.
The movement of teeth with Invisalign and Spark aligners is accomplished through a combination of several factors, including the shape of the aligners, the material they are made of, and the specific movements that are programmed into the plan.
As each set of clear braces are replaced, the aligner trays straighten teeth and move a small amount, gradually bringing them into their desired positions. Over time, the aligners work to gently and continuously move the teeth into their final positions, resulting in a great smile.
The team at Hinsdale Ortho has expertise with clear aligners. We are a Premier Preferred Provider of Invisalign and Spark and have proven experience treating patients. We know the benefits and limitations of this type of treatment.
Dr. Riccio and Dr. Blair stay current with advancements in clear aligner technology. We have watched it become much more efficient over the years. This means that many Clarendon Hills patients who were not good candidates for aligners in the past can now take advantage of it. Contact us to learn more.
Why Choose Aligners Over Traditional Metal Braces for Straight Teeth
Clear aligners offer many benefits over regular braces. They include the following:
- Aesthetics. Clear aligners are virtually invisible, so you can straighten your teeth without anyone noticing. This is particularly appealing to teens and adults who may feel self-conscious about wearing regular braces.
- Comfort. Aligners are made of smooth, comfortable plastic, which means they won’t irritate your mouth like braces can. There are no metal brackets or wires that can poke or scrape the inside of your mouth.
- Convenience. With aligners, you can remove them when you eat or brush your teeth. This means you can eat what you want and don’t have to worry about food getting stuck in your braces. This can help you maintain better oral hygiene and prevent gum disease.
- Predictable results. Aligners are custom-made to fit your teeth and gradually move them into the desired position. This plan is also digitally mapped out, allowing for precise movements and more predictable results.
- Shorter treatment time. For minor cases, clear aligners can sometimes straighten teeth faster than braces. Aligners also require fewer office visits, which can save you time and money.
Invisalign Treatment
If you desire to straighten your teeth without traditional braces, consider aligner treatment. Invisalign clear retainers are the leading brand of invisible aligners. The Invisalign system uses cutting-edge 3D computer-imaging technology to create a customized treatment plan that will give you the perfect smile.
Invisalign works by applying a controlled force to different parts of your teeth during different parts of your plan. This controlled tooth movement helps get your teeth into the right position to fill in gaps, straighten teeth, and deal with crowded teeth and bite issues.
Invisalign is made out of clear, medical grade thermoplastic. The material is smooth and comfortable, so you don’t have to worry about pain, even while sleeping. You do need to wear the aligners at night, but you should be able to do so comfortably.
You should aim to wear the aligners as much as possible — at least 22 hours a day. You can remove them to eat and clean. The more you wear them, the shorter your treatment time will be. Invisalign time can range from six months to about three years. This will depend on the severity of your case.
If you’re interested in Invisalign, you may be concerned about the cost. A mild case will cost around $2,000. Moderate treatment may cost up to $5,000. For more severe cases, expect to spend around $8,000. Most dental insurances do cover Invisalign to some degree, but there are orthodontic benefit maximum amounts to consider. The average maximum is around $2,000, so you may still have to pay several thousand dollars out of pocket.
Spark Treatment
Spark is another type of effective way that uses aligners. It is another great alternative to traditional braces. Like Invisalign, Spark uses invisible retainers to straighten teeth. While Spark is not as well-known as Invisalign, Spark aligners are said to be clearer and more comfortable than Invisalign aligners. Plus, they are known to stain less. That’s because Spark aligners are made of a different material. TruGEN™ is the latest innovation in clear aligner material. They are free of BPA, mercury, latex, and phthalates. Plus, they are designed for more efficient and effective tooth movement.
With Spark, tooth soreness is minimal. These are made of polished and scalloped edges to make them more comfortable. Many patients prefer Spark over the leading brand.
Spark can treat a variety of straightening cases, bite issues, and gum disease. They are great for crooked mouth, crowding, spacing and closing significant gaps, open bite, underbite, overbite, bite problems, and crossbite.
If you are interested in Spark treatment plans for your smile goals, let your orthodontist know. They can create a plan with help from dental lab technicians. There may be multiple communications between the orthodontist and the lab technician to map out the best course of care. This step also determines the number of initial aligners you may be required to wear. The typical time is 18-24 months, although this will vary based on the severity of your case.
Which is Better for Straight Teeth?
Spark vs. Invisalign: which is the better option for clear aligners? You may be more familiar with Invisalign. After all, it’s been around for a couple decades now, while Spark is much newer. However, there is evidence that shows that Spark may actually be better, as it uses newer, more innovative technology. Here are some reasons why Spark may be the better choice:
- More clear. While Invisalign is very clear, Spark is even more clear. That’s because it is made of TruGen material, which is nearly invisible.
- More comfortable. Spark is more comfortable due to the extra effort involved. Spark hand trims and polishes the edges of the retainers. This helps prevent irritation on the lips and gums.
- Stains less. The TruGen material is clearly superior to Invisalign’s SmartTrack material. It is known to be more durable and more resistant to stains. Any stains are minimal.
- Improved efficiency. Spark has better contact with your teeth, allowing them to move more efficiently and effectively.
Contact Us Today
Aligners are a great way to straighten teeth and get a well aligned smile. Both Invisalign and Spark offer high-quality aligners that are clear and hardly noticeable, unlike traditional metal braces.
Interested in clear aligners in Clarendon Hills? Choose Clarendon Hills dental experts at Hinsdale Ortho who can assess your situation and help you understand the right options for you. A straighter smile is within reach — we have flexible payment options that can help. Call (630) 528-0909 or go online to schedule a free consultation.