Clear Aligners – Aurora, IL

Crowded Teeth

As teeth begin to shift over time, crowding often worsens, resulting in an increased risk of cavities, gum disease, jaw discomfort, and difficulty chewing. Since crowding causes teeth to overlap, it can become harder to clean between these tight spaces. With clear aligners, though, the braces can move teeth, so they sit flush against each other, allowing for better oral health and hygiene.

Gaps Between Teeth

When gaps form between teeth, it can be the result of non-nutritive habits (i.e., thumb sucking or tongue thrusting), having a large jawbone, or natural bone development. The larger the space, the easier it is for bacteria and food particles to become trapped, causing a build-up of plaque and tartar. To reduce the risk of gum disease and decay, clear aligners can be used to bring teeth closer together, effectively closing the space and improving the state of your oral health.

Overbite

If your upper row of teeth protrudes out over your bottom row of teeth too far, you have an overbite. If left untreated, it can lead to jaw pain and enamel wear and tear as well as a greater risk for dental injuries. However, an overbite can be addressed with clear aligners thanks to their ability to move your jaws so that your teeth more properly align, creating an appropriate gap between the upper and lower rows of teeth.

Underbite

When the lower row of teeth pushes out slightly further than the upper row of teeth, you have what is known as an underbite. This is often caused by genetic, oral trauma, or non-nutritive habits practiced during childhood. Without treatment, it can lead to sleep apnea as well as difficulty speaking and chewing. By treating an underbite with clear aligners, though, we can realign the lower jaw so that it moves backward into a more desirable position.

Crossbite

If your lower arch of teeth barely sits out in front of your upper arch of teeth, it may be that you have a crossbite that formed as a result of genetics or losing your baby teeth too early. With clear aligners, your teeth can be moved backward so that ideal alignment is achieved. If jaw development is the reason for your crossbite, though, it may be necessary to incorporate additional elastics to help move the jaw into the appropriate place.

Open Bite

If you notice that your back teeth touch when you close your mouth, but your front teeth do not, you have an open bite. This is often the result of poor bone development or non-nutritive habits, like thumb sucking or pacifier overuse. Fortunately, an open bite can be addressed with clear aligners, as they will bring the front upper and lower arches together, ensuring your bite is more appropriately aligned and functions smoothly. As a result, you’ll be less likely to experience enamel wear and tear.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Clear Aligners

In order to provide an accurate price estimate, an Clear Aligners dentist in Aurora will factor in the following:

• The severity of an individual’s dental issue (i.e., overcrowding, gapped teeth, bite misalignment)
• How many aligners will be required to achieve the desired results
• The duration of treatment — some issues take longer to correct than others (i.e., overbite versus a minor gap)

Clear Aligners vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

Do-it-yourself (DIY) clear aligner systems are becoming increasingly popular. However, many potential issues could arise should you choose this method. Solutions like Smile Direct Club are significantly cheaper than Clear Aligners in Aurora, but the lack of professional oversight can lead to additional oral health problems for a patient.

At our dental office, we recommend individuals consider the following before choosing a DIY solution:

• As part of some DIY systems, patients must take their own tooth impressions at home. This can be problematic if it is not done correctly, as it could lead to ill-fitting aligners.
• There is no orthodontist or dentist to personally oversee treatment. Instead, individuals are expected to attend virtual appointments.
• Clear aligners may not be the best option for certain individuals. Moving forward without a thorough oral health assessment has the potential to damage the teeth.
• Should any problems occur, a patient will need to search for a local orthodontist or dentist to assist.

With Clear Aligners, patients can feel confident knowing that they are using a treatment that is effective and safe. A member of our team oversees the details of the treatment, ensuring optimal results.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Clear Aligners?

Some dental insurance policies offer orthodontic coverage, while others do not. It is up to you to review your plan and determine if there are stipulations or exclusions. Some carriers offer coverage but only for individuals under the age of 19, or they will only help with traditional braces. Patients who are unsure about how to obtain this information may ask a member of our team for help. Our administrative staff is always happy to answer questions and address concerns when it comes to the financial aspects of dentistry.

Options for Making Clear Aligners Affordable

At Grand Dental – Aurora, we offer additional payment options for patients whose insurance will not cover their care. Our Grand Advantage Plan requires individuals to pay a reasonable yearly fee to receive access to basic preventive care as well as a generous 20% discount on dental treatments completed within the first year of enrollment.

We also provide flexible financing through CareCredit, which allows individuals to break up the cost of Clear Aligners into affordable monthly installments. This is often the best choice for patients on a budget.

Does Wearing Clear Aligners Aligners Hurt?

When you first receive your clear aligners, you can expect some mild discomfort. The mouth must adjust to the oral appliance, and the teeth will be under constant pressure as they begin to shift. Within a few days, the pain should dissipate and leave you feeling more comfortable and confident. This process, however, reoccurs when switching out existing trays with the next set in the series. One clear advantage is that you can avoid the mandatory wire tightening that is a staple of traditional braces treatment.

Are Clear Aligners Results Permanent?

The result of your Clear Aligners treatment have the potential to be permanent if a customized retainer is worn as recommended. In the weeks, months, and years following the completion of Clear Aligners, our on-staff orthodontist and cosmetic dentist in Aurora recommends wearing a customized retainer to keep teeth in their corrected locations. Teeth are known to shift, especially after orthodontic treatment, so if you want to avoid undoing the months of work you put in to straighten your teeth, wearing a retainer is essential.

What Should I Do If I Lose My Clear Aligners Trays?

When you first meet with our team at Grand Dental – Aurora, we will explain the importance of purchasing a protective case for your aligners. This will help to prevent bad bacteria from landing on the trays as well as mishaps that could result in the trays accidentally getting thrown in the trash.

Should one or both aligners suffer damage or get lost, our team recommends keeping the last set of aligners and wearing them until we can determine if moving forward in treatment is acceptable or if new aligners need to be ordered.

Can I Be Treated with Clear Aligners If I’ve Worn Braces in the Past?

Many patients who wore traditional braces in the past may be able to benefit from Clear Aligners. It depends on the severity of the dental misalignment. If, after a thorough evaluation using advanced dental technology, we find there is a way to use clear aligners to realign your teeth, we will design a treatment plan with the aim of producing predictable and long-lasting results.