What Are Clear Aligners | How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Are you hesitant to smile because of misaligned teeth? Do you dream of a straighter, more confident grin? You’re not alone. Shockingly, 1 in 4 American adults avoid smiling due to dissatisfaction with their oral condition. Moreover, a staggering 82% believe that having straight and bright teeth can significantly impact one’s success in life. The good news? Orthodontic treatments can address these concerns. While there are various options available, clear aligners have emerged as the most popular choice. In this blog, we explain what are clear aligners and how they’ve become the go-to solution for achieving a flawless smile. Before deciding what treatment you want to undergo, it is best to gain knowledge of the different options. It’s important to know exactly what are clear aligners before going further.

Understanding Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are custom-fitted, transparent trays made from a clear, safe plastic material. They’re designed to snugly fit over your teeth and gently guide them into improved positions over time.

Traditional Clear Aligners: These are the standard type of clear aligners. They’re crafted from clear, strong plastic and have a fixed design to fit your teeth.
Custom-made Clear Aligners: These aligners are specifically designed for you, addressing your unique dental needs. They’re tailored to your individual treatment plan.
Remote Monitoring Clear Aligners: Some companies offer a convenient option where you can receive clear aligner treatment updates and adjustments without needing to visit the orthodontist in person as frequently.
3D-Printed Clear Aligners: Today’s advanced 3D technology allows for exceptionally precise and personalized clear aligners. These aligners ensure durability and leave no room for fitting mistakes.

Now that you know the different types of clear aligners, let’s have a look at what are clear aligners made of.

What are Clear Aligners Made Of?

You should know what are clear aligners made of, as they play a crucial role in their effectiveness and comfort. There are several key components that make up these innovative orthodontic devices.

Acrylic Resins

Clear aligners are made from a material known as acrylic resin. This substance is a special kind of plastic that’s used in dentistry. It’s chosen for its strength, clarity, and safety for oral use. While it’s tougher than natural teeth, it’s not as hard as bones.

You can go about your daily activities, like eating and drinking, while wearing aligners made from acrylic resin. This material is a fundamental part of why clear aligners are effective and comfortable for teeth straightening.

Thermoplastics

Clear aligners owe their magic to the special material used in their making, which is thermoplastic. They offer both softness and transparency, making aligners comfortable and nearly invisible. Additionally, they provide the necessary toughness to maintain their shape under pressure, ensuring consistent results. These properties make thermoplastic materials an essential component in creating aligners that are both effective and user-friendly.

Blended Polymers

Blended Polymers are crucial materials used when making clear aligners. They are used in clear aligners because they offer strength, durability, and flexibility. This makes them ideal for creating aligners that can effectively guide teeth into the desired positions.

By mixing materials like PETG, polycarbonate (PC), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) in specific ratios, we get aligners with excellent properties. Research reveals that a blend of 70% PETG, 10% PC, and 20% TPU showed superior strength and provided effective orthodontic forces. This shows us how polymer blends enhance the performance of clear aligners.

These materials are commonly used by orthodontists for manufacturing clear aligners. However, additional material is also used based on your specific dental situation. As you now have sufficient knowledge about what are clear aligners made of, let’s see how these actually work.

How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Clear aligners have a very simple process, and that is why people prefer them rather than braces. First, your orthodontist will get a scan or take impressions of your teeth to create your teeth model. Then, they will customize a series of aligner trays for you.

You will have to go to your orthodontist after every two weeks to get a new aligner. These aligners will gently nudge your teeth into their new positions. This process will keep going until your teeth are exactly where you want them to be. You will have to wear those aligners for about 22 hours every day and can take them off only when you eat and during brushing.

Clear Aligners vs Braces

After understanding what are clear aligners, it is important to compare the best two options to get proper insights for a good decision. Thus, we have compared clear aligners with braces so you can see which one is best for you.

Appearance

Clear aligners, as already mentioned, are invisible, and this is the most common reason people choose them over braces. Braces, on the other hand, have metals and wires which are clearly visible to others. If you are conscious about your appearance, it’s best to go for aligners as they won’t be noticed.

Comfort

Clear aligners are smooth and do not cause any irritation, as they are customized to fit your teeth perfectly. Braces are not only painful but also cause a lot of irritation because of the metal wires that cause cheek and lip sores.

Removability

Clear aligners can be easily taken out when necessary, allowing for easy activities like eating, brushing, and special occasions. Braces, however, are fixed to the teeth and remain in place until the treatment is complete.

Cost

Braces have the upper hand when it comes to cost comparison. You can easily afford braces as they are not too expensive. But clear aligners are a bit pricy as they are custom-made and have more benefits than braces. You can cover these expenses through insurance, which actually lowers the cost of aligners but not as low as the braces pricing.

Treatment Duration

The treatment timing of both braces and clear aligners can vary, and it all depends on your case complexity. Clear aligners usually take a bit less time for simpler cases. On the other hand, braces might be needed for a longer stretch, especially if your dental situation is more complex.

As you can see from the comparison, clear aligners have many more advantages than braces, especially if you have minor teeth issues. With the knowledge of what are clear aligners and their benefits, it’s up to you to make a decision. Once you finalize your choice, it is best to see an Invisalign Dentistry NJ.

Hesed - Your Destination for The Best Invisalign in NJ

At Hesed Dental, we pride ourselves on offering top-notch Invisalign treatment. Our team of dedicated professionals makes sure that you enjoy a painless procedure and have different amenities ready to help you relax, as dentist visits can get scary!

What sets us apart is our in-house lab, where we craft tailor-made aligners for each patient. This means your Invisalign experience is not only expertly supervised but also uniquely customized to suit your specific dental needs. So, are you ready to transform your smile? Book your appointment and take your first step towards a confident smile!

FAQs

Is clear aligners same as Invisalign?

Clear aligners are a treatment used for teeth straightening. There are many brands that make these aligners. Invisalign is one of the best brands of clear aligners, known for its advanced technology and popularity.

Do you sleep with clear aligners?

Yes, you wear clear aligners while you sleep. They are designed to be worn for at least 20-22 hours a day, even during sleep, to ensure the treatment is effective.

How much do clear aligners cost?

The cost of clear aligners is not fixed and depends on your specific treatment plan and location.