Northern Virginia’s #1 Provider of Clear Aligners answers your questions on Acceledent: Your ticket to a faster smile

There’s a new technology that’s (literally) putting a smile on plenty of young faces: a system of clear, removable aligners made especially for teens! If you (or a teenager you know) are a candidate for this treatment, you might find it’s the best fit for your lifestyle—it lets you eat what you want, makes it easier to clean your teeth … And best of all, it’s virtually invisible.

Is a clear aligner right for you? It all depends on what kind of orthodontic treatment you need. Traditional metal braces still work best in some situations — and you might be surprised to find that they’re still a popular option for many teenagers. But now that aligners are being designed specifically for teens, more are choosing them every day.

What is a clear aligner? Basically, it’s a thin plastic covering or “tray” that fits over your top and/or bottom teeth. You’ll wear a series of aligners that will gradually move your teeth into better positions.

Here’s how they work: each aligner is custom-made with the help of a computer program that takes into account exactly where your teeth are now, and how they need to be moved. You’ll wear each tray for two weeks or so, to shift your teeth slightly, and then you’ll go on to the next, which is slightly different. Over time, all of the small movements will add up to a big change!

A Clear Distinction

Your aligner is designed to be worn 22 hours a day, and allow you to take it off for meals or important social occasions. Yet even when you’re wearing it, it’s pretty hard for anyone else to tell it’s there — a big difference from metal braces! Plus, it offers other advantages that aren’t so easy to see.

One benefit of aligners over traditional braces is that they make your teeth easier to clean. Because they’re removable, there’s nothing to keep you from brushing and flossing everywhere in your mouth, just as you would without appliances. But brushing and flossing can be much harder to do around the brackets and wires of braces — and oral hygiene often suffers.

Some people also suffer irritation to the cheeks and gums from the metal parts of braces. Fortunately, the plastic of an aligner rarely causes that kind of problem. Plus, you won’t have to rush into the dental office to quickly fix a protruding wire or reattach a broken bracket. You won’t have to watch what you eat, either, because you’ll simply remove the aligner at mealtimes.

An Aligner Just for You…Teens (Under 20)

Clear aligners for adults have been available for over a decade, but until recently they weren’t recommended for teens in most cases. Why not? Chiefly, for two reasons: It was thought that teens wouldn’t always wear them for the recommended 22 hours per day; also, since many teens have some permanent teeth still erupting (emerging from below the gums), the precisely planned movement of the teeth might be disturbed.

Clear Aligners

Luckily, technology has come to the rescue. The first problem is addressed by “compliance indicators” located on the aligners themselves. These colored dots fade over time as the aligners are worn in the mouth, and show whether or not you’ve followed the plan. To solve the second problem, aligners made especially for teens come with “eruption tabs” built in; they are designed to hold space for teeth that have not yet fully erupted. My practice at Garai Orthodontic Specialists (BracesVIP) provides clear aligners with two offices in Great Falls and Vienna, VA.

Not Sure? At Braces VIP:

We promise to treat your teen with braces at no additional charge if they are non-compliant with clear aligners.
iBracesVIP Centers (in Vienna and Great Falls)—offer clear aligners invisible lingual braces.
Latest technology is available.
ITERO laserscan means no more messy impressions.
The Acceledent process provides up to 50% shorter treatment times.
A board-certified orthodontic specialist diagnoses and creates an individual treatment plan for every clear aligners case.
Complementary consultation available.

Today, more people than ever—both adults and teens—are finding that clear aligners suit their needs best. Are you one of them? Why not come in to our office and ask whether clear aligners could work for you.