Clear aligners are an effective alternative to traditional braces, because they use a system of clear, removable trays used to straighten teeth. Each aligner is custom-made to fit over your teeth and is designed to gradually move teeth into their proper position. Using clear aligners for orthodontic treatment is not for everyone. The best way to find out if clear aligners are the right option for you is to schedule a consultation with your orthodontist.

How do clear aligners work?

Clear aligners are used as an alternative to traditional braces, and are designed to help guide teeth into proper position. Just like braces, clear aligners use gradual force to control tooth movement, but without any metal wires or brackets. The aligners are made with a strong plastic material that has been fabricated to fit your mouth. As treatment progresses you switch aligners. Each aligner is a little different, so your teeth move a little more with every change.

Aligners are worn for at least 20 hours each day, and you'll receive a new aligner every two weeks. The length of your treatment depends on the severity of your case, and treatment can take anywhere from six months to two years.

Advantages of orthodontic treatment with clear aligners:

Clear aligners are a great alternative for patients who want a straighter smile but do not want to wear metal braces, or for patients who have had treatment in the past and want to make minor corrections to their smile. There are several advantages to orthodontic treatment with clear aligners.

• Clear aligners are easier to keep clean, making it easier to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.
• Clear aligners are comfortable and less likely to irritate your gums and cheeks.
• Clear aligners prevent wear on the teeth from tooth grinding.
• Clear aligners are removable, so it's easier for you to brush and floss after meals.

If you're interested in orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, schedule an appointment and talk to your orthodontist about whether this is the right treatment option for you. Scheduling a consultation is your first step toward achieving the beautiful smile you've always wanted.

SprintRay 3D Printing

In-house aligners created just for you.

Clear aligner treatment takes the metal out of orthodontics, giving you an aesthetic treatment option that produces fantastic results. Often with this type of treatment, aligners are created offsite and shipped to our office, where we then distribute them to you. Using our own 3D printing capabilities we are able to cut out the middleman to create your aligners right here in our office, enabling you to begin treatment sooner and saving you a considerable amount of time waiting for new aligners during your treatment.

To begin your clear aligner treatment, we will generate digital models of your mouth and upload the data into our treatment planning software. From there, we will formulate a treatment plan, addressing the specific movement of each tooth to attend to your smile and bite issues. Once your treatment plan is complete, we print your first set of aligners and begin your smile transformation.

Aligners created with our SprintRay 3D printer are made of the same material as traditional aligners, making them just as strong, clear, and effective as their more time-consuming and expensive counterparts. Plus, if your treatment plan ever needs to be adjusted, or if you misplace one of your aligners, we can simply re-print a new set of aligners.

SprintRay 3D printing is just one of the ways we are dedicated to improving your overall orthodontic experience. Through advanced technology and our expertise, you can achieve the smile you’ve always wanted—faster and more cost-effectively than ever before.