Aligner Orthodontics

Aligner orthodontics is a great way to straighten teeth invisibly! With clear thin aligners that are custom-made to move specific teeth, there actually are some advantages of aligner orthodontics over traditional bracket-and-wire braces.

Advantages of Aligner Orthodontics:

  • Only move the teeth you want! In many adult cases, crowns or veneers may have already been placed over the permanent teeth, and maintaining that perfect look or that perfect bite is critical. Aligner orthodontic trays securely hug each tooth, applying pressure only to the teeth needing to move.
  • Easier dental hygiene – there is no need for floss threaders or dental water jets when you can simply take your orthodontics out and rinse!
  • Nearly invisible to everyone but yourself! You don’t have to be a TV personality or beauty queen to keep your treatment to yourself.
  • Fewer visits to the dentist: you’ll have the same initial consultation and records appointment as with traditional orthodontics, and the same first appointment to get the attachments placed and fit the first tray. But other than that, most of the treatment is on auto-pilot, requiring you to only send in “check-up” photos every few months. It goes even faster now that we have incorporated Dental Monitoring – your check-up visits are virtual and you will get the “go ahead” to move to the next tray faster than ever.
  • Modern advances in aligner therapy are available through SPARK – including Bite Sync for bad overbites. This type of treatment would have typically taken 2+ years with traditional brackets and wires or older versions of aligner therapy, but even difficult cases can be treated comprehensively and quickly with SPARK.

Disadvantages of Traditional Aligner Orthodontics:

  • Some teeth are more stubbornly positioned in their sockets than aligner orthodontics can manage. Teeth requiring more of a torquing type force than a tipping force falls into this category, and may require bracket-and-wire braces.
  • Can’t correct a bad bite. The mechanics of traditional bracket-and-wire braces are needed when bite correction is the core issue.
  • Longer course of treatment. Unless the aligner orthodontics are being used for a specific limited orthodontics goal, comprehensive treatment may well take longer than with traditional bracket-and-wire braces.