More and more of our patients want to be able to smile without the look of traditional metal brackets. We at Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry know that adults and teens in Gurnee want orthodontic treatments that fit into their daily lives. Clear aligners have changed the way people straighten their teeth by giving them an option that is both effective and private.
Clear aligners work by using a series of trays that have been made just for your mouth. Each tray puts a certain amount of pressure on certain teeth, slowly moving them into place over time. These clear trays can be taken off whenever you want, unlike fixed appliances that stay on your teeth during treatment. This ability to take them off changes the orthodontic experience because you can eat whatever you want, brush your teeth as usual and take the aligners off for special events when you want to.
A thorough exam of your teeth is the first step in the treatment process. We use state of the art digital scanning tools to get exact measurements of how your teeth and jaw are aligned. These digital impressions are much more comfortable than the putty molds of the past. The scans create a 3D model that we can use to plan your whole treatment. You can see how your teeth will move during the process and what the final result will look like before treatment even starts. This ability to see a preview of your orthodontic care makes you feel good about your decision to have it.
Most people wear each aligner for about 1-2 weeks before moving on to the next one in the series. As you go through the cycle your teeth slowly move into place. The number of aligners you need will depend on your situation. For small changes you might need 15-20 sets. For more complex cases you might need 40 or more. We monitor your progress by seeing you every 6-8 weeks. We will check if your teeth are moving as planned and give you your next few sets of aligners at these appointments. You can’t say enough about how great clear aligners look. When your orthodontic treatment is almost invisible, it makes work, social events and pictures more enjoyable. The smooth plastic material also eliminates the mouth discomfort that can happen with regular brackets and wires. Many people in Gurnee IL say their colleagues and coworkers don’t know they’re getting orthodontic treatment unless they tell them.
When using clear aligners the most important thing for treatment effectiveness is compliance. You have to wear the trays for 20-22 hours a day because you can take them off. Taking them off only for meals and brushing your teeth makes sure your treatment stays on track. Patients who don’t wear their aligners regularly will have to spend more time in treatment and may not get the best results. We work with each patient to help them develop good habits early on in treatment. This makes wearing the aligners feel natural instead of like a chore.
Clear aligners are great for fixing many orthodontic problems such as crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, overbites, underbites and crossbites. But in some complex cases traditional methods or Surgical Orthodontics may be better. During your first visit we do a full evaluation to see if clear aligner therapy is right for you. We base our recommendation on your oral health history, your treatment goals and your own preferences.
Most patients treatment lasts between 12-18 months but the length of time varies greatly from person to person. Simple cases may be done faster but big changes take more time. Because clear aligner treatment is so predictable we can give you an exact quote right away. Some orthodontic treatments don’t know how long they will take but clear aligner technology plans out the whole process ahead of time.
When looking into orthodontic solutions it’s normal to think about the cost. In general clear aligner therapy is less expensive than traditional braces but the actual cost depends on how complicated and long the treatment is. To make great orthodontic care available to more families we offer flexible payment plans. Many dental insurance plans cover orthodontic work including clear aligner therapy. Our team can help you coordinate your insurance to get the most coverage possible. It’s easier to keep your mouth clean with clear aligners than with fixed appliances. You just take out the trays, brush and floss like you normally would and then rinse the aligners before putting them back in. This simple technique helps patients avoid cavities and gum problems that can happen when brackets and wires make cleaning more difficult. We give you step by step instructions on how to clean and care for your aligners so they stay clear and fresh during treatment.
The field of orthodontics is always getting better and we stay up to date with the latest news. Digital treatment planning software has gotten better and better allowing us to move teeth with never before seen accuracy. These new ideas lead to better results and more comfortable experiences for patients. We invest in the latest equipment and continuing education because our patients deserve care that’s up to date with the latest techniques.
We feel lucky to be able to help write the next chapter of your story because every smile tells a different one. Clear aligner therapy is just one of the many tools we use to improve oral health and self esteem. If you’ve been thinking about getting braces but were worried about how they would look or how they would affect your daily life, clear aligners might be the way to go. We’d love to take a look at your smile and talk about how we can help you or your family get the results you want. Dr. Derek Bock is a trusted orthodontist in Forest Hill, IL, dedicated to creating confident, healthy smiles through personalized and compassionate care.