September 23, 2023

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How To Maintain Your Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a great way to help straighten your teeth and improve your smile. To ensure that your clear aligners stay in optimal condition, you should take proper care of them. Proper maintenance of your aligners will help ensure they remain effective and last longer. Orlando clear aligners are easy to maintain, but there are a few rules that you should follow.

What to expect

After booking an appointment for clear aligners, your orthodontist or dentist will take precise molds of your teeth. These molds are then used to create a 3D scan sent to a lab where technicians fabricate the custom-fitted clear aligner trays. You can expect to switch out your clear aligner trays every two weeks until you have achieved your desired smile.

During the procedure, you may experience some discomfort and minor tooth shifting. This is normal and will subside as your teeth become accustomed to the aligner trays.

Oral imperfections that clear aligners can treat

These are some of the oral issues you need to know:

  • Crowding occurs when teeth don’t have enough space to align properly, resulting in crooked and misaligned teeth.
  • Overbite: An overbite is an excessive vertical overlap between the upper and lower front teeth.
  • Under Bite: Opposite of an overbite, this occurs when the lower jaw protrudes out more than the upper jaw.
  • Crossbite: When one or more of your upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth.
  • Open Bite: A space that exists between your front and back molars when biting down.

Maintaining clear aligners

Following these tips can help to ensure your clear aligners stay in the best condition:

Clean them with warm water

When cleaning your clear aligners, only warm water is important. Hot water or abrasive cleaning products can damage the integrity of your aligners and should be avoided. The washing process should take around 5 minutes for each set of aligners.

Store them properly

To prevent your clear aligners from being damaged, it is important to store them in a safe place when not in use. Store them in the provided case and avoid leaving them where dust and debris can accumulate on the surface.

Brush them with a soft toothbrush

Once you have finished wearing your clear aligner trays, rinse them off with warm water and gently brush the surface with a soft toothbrush. This will help remove any food particles and plaque that may have built up during wear.

Take your aligners out before eating or drinking

Whenever you plan to eat or drink something, it is best to take out your clear aligner trays. Eating and drinking while wearing the trays can damage them and increase the risk of staining.

Visit your orthodontist regularly

It is important to follow up with your orthodontist or dentist while wearing clear aligners. Visiting every six weeks is recommended to ensure proper progress and that your treatment plan is on track. This will help ensure the best results and that your clear aligners last.

Now that you know more about maintaining your clear aligners properly, it’s time to sign up for an appointment with your orthodontist at Orlando Center For Cosmetic Dentistry.

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