Clear Aligners – Aurora, IL

Subtle Orthodontic Treatment

The most obvious benefit of clear aligners is how subtle they are. Their discreetness makes for a more enjoyable method of orthodontic treatment because you don’t have to worry about others looking at your braces. Instead, their virtually invisible appearance is unlikely to capture the attention of others, which can be a welcome relief if you are self-conscious about your smile.

Also, the clear trays you’re required to wear will be unlikely to show up in pictures should you have a big event to attend. When looking back years from now, you’ll never even know you’re wearing them.

Enhanced Confidence

Whether you need to give a presentation at work, make a speech before your class or are preparing for a job interview, your clear aligners will help you to feel more confident in your appearance. Apart from their discreetness, their gradual work to straighten your crooked or misaligned teeth will help you to feel better about the trajectory of your treatment.

For teenagers, clear aligners can mean a more positive high school experience – one that doesn’t include anxiety-filled days or embarrassing situations that have others gawking at your braces.

Unintrusive Treatment

When considering how invasive traditional braces are with the attachment of metal brackets and wires to teeth, clear aligners do not require anything to be altered or applied to your teeth. Instead, you simply insert your trays and go about your day. Your teeth will move with the gentle pressure that is applied, but you are free to remove your aligners to eat and drink as well as deliver a more effective cleaning.

Healthier Smile

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy during orthodontic treatment can be difficult, especially if you’re wearing metal braces. However, with clear aligners, you don’t have to worry, as you can brush, floss, and rinse without anything getting in the way. Since it’s necessary to remove your trays to clean them, you can freely care for your smile without navigating metal brackets and wires. As a result, you don’t need specialized instruments to clean your teeth and gums.

A More Comfortable Mouth

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.

Metal braces require forceful wire tightening that can leave your teeth sore and uncomfortable for days; however, with clear aligners, there is continuous, gentle pressure that is applied. When switching to a new set in the series, you may feel some slight discomfort; however, this will quickly dissipate as your teeth shift to match your new aligners.

Also, because clear aligners do not have protruding brackets, your oral tissues are less likely to become irritated over time.

Faster Treatment for Busy Individuals

When wearing clear aligners, you may worry about the number of follow-up visits that are required; however, you’ll be pleased to learn that you only need them every 6-8 weeks, and the appointments only take 15-30 minutes. This means that you can go on your lunch break and still have time to spare. Because there is no wire tightening or replacement involved, our team will only need to check on your progress to ensure everything is moving forward smoothly.

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.