Clear Aligner Therapy

Clear aligners like Invisalign are popular with adults and teens who want to straighten their teeth without wearing metal braces. At Derhake Dental, we offer clear aligner therapy so that you can improve your smile’s appearance conveniently and discreetly.

Benefits of Clear Aligner Therapy

Bracket and wire braces stay on your teeth throughout treatment, which can sometimes be years. Everyone knows you’re wearing them, you can experience discomfort when chewing, and you can’t eat certain foods because they get stuck in the brackets.

Straightening your teeth with clear aligners in Florissant, MO, offers many benefits that bracket and wire braces don’t, including:

  • A discreet appearance
  • More comfortable treatment
  • Removable for meals
  • Easier oral hygiene
  • No food restrictions

If you would like to learn more about orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, please call Derhake Dental today to schedule an appointment!

What Orthodontic Issues Do Clear Aligners Correct?

Clear aligners like Invisalign are perfect for correcting mild to moderate orthodontic issues, including:

  • Crooked or crowded teeth
  • Unevenly spaced teeth
  • Wide gaps
  • Mildly rotated teeth
  • Overbites
  • Underbites

Clear aligners may not be ideal if you have more advanced bite issues or severely rotated teeth.

How Does Clear Aligner Treatment Work?

The process for getting clear aligners is broken down into three steps:

Step 1: Initial Evaluation & Treatment Planning

Dr. Spring performs an evaluation to determine if you’re a good clear aligner candidate. If you are, our dental team will take x-rays, photos, and comfortable digital impressions of your teeth.

Using digital impressions, Dr. Spring plans your treatment virtually using specialized software. She maps out your tooth movement during each stage of treatment, and a specialized dental lab customizes your aligners based on her plan.

Step Two: Wearing Your Clear Aligners

Straightening your teeth involves wearing one set of aligners 22 hours daily for about two weeks, then switching to the next set. It’s important to wear them exactly as instructed, as each set is designed to create certain tooth movements.

When you switch to new aligners, you’ll notice that they feel snug initially but gradually get looser as the days go by. This means your teeth are responding to treatment and gradually moving into proper alignment!

During treatment, you will visit Derhake Dental every 4–6 weeks for progress checks and to pick up your new sets of aligners.

Step Three: Wear Your Retainer and Smile!

You finish Invisalign treatment when you’ve worn all your aligners, and you and Dr. Spring agree that your teeth are in the ideal position. Following the aligner phase, it’s crucial to wear your retainer as prescribed to ensure your teeth remain in their new positions.

Now that your teeth are straight and beautiful, all that’s left to do is smile!

Who Is a Good Candidate for Clear Aligners?

Clear aligner orthodontics are great for teens and adults of all ages, but you must commit to wearing them as prescribed. Leaving your aligners out for long periods not only lengthens treatment times but can begin to undo the progress you’ve already made.

If you think you’re too old for Invisalign, you’ll be happy to know that there’s no upper age limit! We’ve helped patients in their 70s and older get the straight smile they’ve always wanted.

Get Started with Invisalign in Florissant, CO

Schedule an appointment at Derhake Dental today to see if you are a good Invisalign candidate!