Answers to Your Clear Aligner Questions
We’re sharing the answers to the questions we hear most frequently from our Centennial Angel Aligner patients. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for below, give us a call at (303) 694-4330 and a knowledgeable, friendly team member will be more than happy to help!
HOW DO ANGEL ALIGNERS WORK?
Dr. Moran or Dr. White creates a personalized treatment plan for you and the lab fabricates a series of custom, clear, plastic aligners based on their specifications. Each set of aligners exerts controlled force to move teeth bit by bit based on the tooth movements Dr. Moran or Dr. White prescribed at the start of your treatment.
Often, we need an anchorage point for the aligners to grip onto in order to achieve complex tooth movements. With other aligners, this meant having tooth-colored attachments bonded to your teeth. Angel Aligners, however, are the world’s first aligner with integrated buttons, meaning nothing is bonded to your teeth and wearing elastics is simple.
You’ll wear each set of aligners for about 20 to 22 hours per day, changing to a new set every one to two weeks. As you progress through the series, your teeth and bite will gradually shift into alignment.
HOW LONG DO CLEAR ALIGNERS TAKE?
The length of clear aligner treatment varies by patient and depends on the complexity of your case and how closely you follow the instructions for wearing your aligners. Some patients will complete treatment in under a year, however, for most patients, treatment will last for about 18-24 months.
DO CLEAR ALIGNERS HURT?
No, clear aligners do not hurt. However, while you won’t feel any real Angel Aligner pain, your teeth and gums can be slightly tender when you first start treatment and when putting in a new set of aligners. This just means your clear aligners are working! Sticking with soft foods and cold foods and drinks, and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, if needed, will help with discomfort.
WHAT CAN YOU EAT WITH ANGEL ALIGNERS?
There are no food restrictions with Angel Aligners. You can continue to eat all of the foods you love throughout your treatment since you’ll take your aligners out to eat and drink anything aside from plain water.
CAN I SMOKE WHILE WEARING CLEAR ALIGNERS?
No. You shouldn’t smoke with your Angel Aligners in your mouth. The nicotine will cause discoloration and your aligners will no longer be clear. It’s also worth noting that teeth move most efficiently in a healthy oral environment, so quitting smoking can be beneficial on every level.
HOW MANY HOURS PER DAY DO I NEED TO WEAR MY ANGEL ALIGNERS?
It’s recommended that you wear your clear aligners for about 20 to 22 hours per day for the best results. Only take your aligners out to eat, drink, brush and floss your teeth, and to wear a mouthguard while playing sports.
WILL MY ALIGNERS AFFECT MY SPEECH?
Some patients don’t notice any change in their speech, while others have a slight lisp when they first start treatment. If this happens, don’t worry, your speech will return to normal once you get used to wearing your aligners. To speed up the process, try talking whenever you can. Sing along to your favorite songs or read aloud to yourself.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF ANGEL ALIGNERS?
Angel Aligners have no brackets and wires, so they won’t irritate your mouth or interfere with playing sports or an instrument. The smooth, clear plastic aligners are comfortable and virtually invisible. Since you can take them out, there are no food restrictions and you can brush and floss as you normally would.
They’re also a good option for our Centennial TMJ patients, as many find they’re helpful for pain relief. We use Angel Aligners because our doctors have fine-tuning capabilities, so they are able to get the bite exactly how they want it with the clear aligner system.
HOW DO I CLEAN MY CLEAR ALIGNERS?
When it comes to how to clean clear aligners, the most affordable, simple solution is to brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush (don’t use toothpaste because it can be abrasive) and rinse them with lukewarm water in the morning and before bed.
HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED TO SEE DR. MORAN OR DR. WHITE DURING CLEAR ALIGNER TREATMENT?
Clear aligner treatment, and orthodontic treatment in general, is more efficient and convenient than ever before. Most patients see us every 10 to 12 weeks for a check-up. Since clear aligners don’t require adjustments, these visits are quick and easy.
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR ANGEL ALIGNER TREATMENT?
The good news is that clear aligners can treat a wider variety of cases than they could in the past, including those that are moderate to severe. Yet, every patient is unique. To find out if you’re a good candidate for Angel Aligners in Centennial, Winter Park, or Granby, schedule a complimentary exam with Dr. Moran or Dr. White today!
HOW MUCH DO CLEAR ALIGNERS COST?
The Angel Aligners cost varies and depends on the complexity of your case and your individual treatment plan. At Foundations Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on giving our patients the best value by offering the highest quality of care and in-depth, personalized treatment planning for a fair price. Our cost is all-inclusive, meaning every step of your treatment is included and there won’t be any surprises.
At your pre-treatment consultation, our Treatment Coordinator will let you know your exact Angel Aligners cost. If you have insurance that covers clear aligner treatment, this can reduce how much you pay out of pocket (we’ll even file claims on your behalf). We can also work with your HSA or FSA, and we offer flexible financing options to suit any budget.