We see a lot of people coming into our office who are unhappy with their teeth, but they’re not sure what to do about it. Some folks worry about the time it’s gonna take, while others are concerned about how it’s all gonna play out in their daily lives. Most of us can relate to feeling a little uneasy when faced with an unknown. At Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, we make a point to listen to every worry and help patients sort through all their options so they can feel informed.
Folks in Lake Forest are really starting to love the idea of clear aligners as a way to fix orthodontic problems without having to wear those pesky metal braces. This system uses a series of transparent plastic trays that are moulded to fit over your teeth just so, and slowly but surely nudge them into better positions. You wear one tray for a bit, then swap it out for the next one in line and so on, and before you know it, your smile is looking a heck of a lot better. Occlusion refers to how the upper and lower teeth come together when biting. Proper occlusion is essential for comfort, function, and long-term oral health.
The very first thing we do when you come in is take a look at your teeth from a few different angles, and talk about what changes you’d like to make. We also check how your teeth fit together when you bite down, spot any potential trouble spots, and make sure your gums and the rest of the supporting tissues are all healthy. We want to get a full picture of what’s going on, so we can give you a plan that really takes into account what you’re up against.
These days, we’re making use of some pretty cool digital tech to make sure your treatment goes smoothly from start to finish. We use high-tech scanners to take super accurate 3-D images of your teeth, which then get fed into some pretty clever software. This software does all the legwork, figuring out exactly how your teeth need to move in order to get the results you want. The end result is a custom-made set of trays that are tailored specifically to you.
The length of time you’ll need to wear the aligners can vary quite a bit, depending on how complicated your case is and how well you stick to the plan. Some people can see improvements in just a few months, while others might need to wear them for a year or more. We always make sure to set realistic expectations and keep you updated on how things are going.
One of the things that really sets this treatment apart from the fixed kind is that you can take the trays out when you need to. That means you can take them out for special occasions, or if you just need a break, which is especially useful for people who need to look professional, or for teens who don’t want to deal with the hassle of having to hide their braces. Surgical Orthodontics is used to correct severe jaw misalignment that cannot be fixed with braces alone. This treatment improves both facial balance and bite function.
Once you get used to having the trays in your mouth, they’re usually pretty comfortable. The smooth plastic is a lot more pleasant than metal brackets, and it’s unlikely to bother your lips or cheeks. Most people find that they get used to them pretty quickly, and before you know it, you’re not even thinking about them.
The fact that they’re almost totally unnoticeable means you can straighten your teeth without anyone noticing, which is a big deal for a lot of our patients. We hear all the time that friends and coworkers don’t even realize someone’s getting orthodontic treatment until they bring it up.
The thing is, though, you do need to commit to wearing the trays for the right amount of time each day, we usually recommend 20 to 22 hours a day. You can take them out to eat and brush your teeth, but other than that, it’s a good idea to leave them in. And yeah, it takes some discipline and dedication, but the payoff is well worth it.
At Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that orthodontic treatment should make your life easier, not harder. For people who want to improve their smile without having to change their whole routine or deal with the hassle of metal braces, transparent aligners are a great option.