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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.
Now that you know the different types of clear aligners, let’s have a look at 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
The cost of clear aligners is not fixed and depends on your specific treatment plan and location.
Hesed Dental 543 Gorge Road Cliffside Park, NJ 07010
201 941 8877