While any general dentist can receive training and offer clear aligners, seeing an orthodontist for this treatment is the wisest choice. Orthodontists spend years studying how the teeth, jaw, and facial tissues move when receiving treatment.

How Clear Aligners Work

Clear aligners consist of a graduated set of medical-grade plastic trays custom-made for your teeth. Each set of trays moves your teeth using even, gentle pressure. You will wear them 22-24 hours daily, removing them only to brush, floss, eat, and drink.

Your orthodontist will direct you to change aligners every one to two weeks. As you progress through the series of aligners, you will notice your teeth gradually shifting and your smile transforming. While no one has to know you are using clear aligners to straighten your teeth, they may notice your new smile taking shape.

Advantages of Clear Aligners

Comfortable

Clear aligners have no sharp edges or metal to irritate your sensitive oral tissues. After you become accustomed to wearing your aligners, they will feel natural.

Discreet

Busy adults and older teens appreciate the discretion of clear aligners. They do not attract unwanted attention like traditional braces.

Faster Than Braces

Clear aligners take about 12 to 18 months to straighten your teeth, while braces can take up to three years.

Better Oral Health

Many patients find cleaning around braces difficult. Clear aligners come out for brushing and flossing, making the process easier. Since you can keep your teeth cleaner with clear aligners, you will have a lower risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

No Food Restrictions

Many foods are off-limits for people with braces. Since clear aligners come out when you eat, you can eat what you like as long as you thoroughly clean your teeth before replacing the aligners.

Benefits of Receiving Clear Aligners From an Orthodontist

Orthodontists have a deeper understanding of how and why teeth need to move to ensure optimal oral health. If complications arise, orthodontists are better equipped to handle them.

Orthodontists have better design skills than general dentists. Rather than simply following instructions, they can carefully plan your clear aligners treatment for the best results. Many orthodontists offer multiple brands and types of clear aligners to meet your needs best rather than being tied to one brand.

Orthodontists have more experience with clear aligners than general dentists, who spend most of their time on other treatments.

Call Embrace Orthodontics

Any general dentist can take a course and receive training in clear aligners, but an orthodontist will provide the greatest chance for successful treatment.

If you are interested in clear aligners, give yourself an advantage by choosing an orthodontist as your treatment provider. Call our Delmar, NY, office at 518-439-9339 to schedule a consultation and meet with one of our orthodontists to discuss your goals.

If your teeth are not as white as they could be, you may be interested in professional teeth whitening. Many orthodontic patients want to finish their treatment with teeth whitening to complete the look of their new smile.

Here are three options for whitening your teeth:

1. Chairside Teeth Whitening

For our patients, we offer a proprietary teeth whitening system tailored to the needs of orthodontic patients.Unlike other in-office teeth whitening systems, we can create stunning results without the excess sensitivity that can occur from using other products.

2. Over-The-Counter

The second option and least preferred is over-the-counter whitening. Toothpaste, rinses, and strips purchased in pharmacies or grocery stores are mostly safe but may not be nearly as effective as professional whitening. In addition, with repeated use, they may produce severe tooth sensitivity.

Use items purchased online with extreme caution. The peroxide level in these gels may be much higher than in other over-the-counter preparations. They can cause excess tooth dehydration, sensitivity, and even burn your gums.

How Professional Teeth Whitening Works

Teeth whitening starts with an exam and evaluation. Your dentist will help you decide which level of whitening looks best on you.

Next, the dentist protects your lips and gums from the strong whitening gel. They may use a plastic lip retractor to keep your lips out of the way. The dentist covers the gums around the teeth to be whitened with a protective gel, then hardens the gel with a light. This gel will keep your gums safe during the bleaching process.

Teeth whitening gels use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Peroxide penetrates the enamel and breaks up stains in a process called oxidation.

The dentist typically repeats the gel application several times during one appointment. Each round of gel will produce brighter results.

After treatment, the dentist may apply another gel that reduces tooth sensitivity.

Teeth Whitening Recommendations

If you need bonding, implants, or crowns, consider whitening your teeth before receiving these treatments. Since they are artificial materials, these restorations do not respond to whitening gels. If you get your teeth whitened first, your dentist will be able to match your new restorations to your brightened smile.

How to Preserve Your New Smile

Most people understand you should avoid darkly pigmented food and beverages after whitening your teeth. You should also steer clear of overly sweet or acidic foods and drinks.

Smoking causes tooth stains, so if you smoke, consider quitting before whitening your teeth. These lifestyle changes can preserve your beautiful new smile as long as possible.

Call Embrace Orthodontics

Call our Delmar, NY, office at 518-439-9339 if you are interested in our unique teeth whitening system. We can help you decide which whitening options are right for you.

Contrary to popular belief, it is never too late to start orthodontic treatment. While it is true that many patients get treatment done when they are young, there are multiple dental issues in adult patients that can still be effectively treated through orthodontic solutions. With advancements in dental technology, there are even effective treatments for issues now that weren’t available for many adults when they were younger.

So what are the similarities between orthodontic treatments for young and older patients? What are some of the differences? What are some of the latest developments in orthodontic dental treatments? We here at Embrace Orthodontics are happy to explain everything patients should consider when seeking adult orthodontic treatment:

You have multiple treatment options to choose from

Gone are the days where the only option to correct your teeth were bulky metal braces. In fact, there are two different options that many adult patients consider when considering adult orthodontic treatment:

• Teeth colored braces. There are now white and even translucent colored brackets that help braces more easily blend in with the rest of your teeth. If you feel subconscious about wearing braces, this is a great and affordable way to reduce the visibility while straightening your teeth and jaw.
• Clear aligners. If you want to avoid braces entirely, you should consider clear aligner treatments. Aligners work just like traditional metal braces, but are removable so you can eat, play contact sports, give speeches and use your mouth for other activities without anything getting in your way when needed throughout the day.

Treatment time is typically longer for adult patients

The one negative to orthodontic treatment for adults compared to child patients is that the overall treatment time is usually longer. This is because orthodontic treatments work in tandem with your child’s growing and shifting jaw to accelerate treatment. Because adults aren’t growing or changing as quickly, treatments do take longer compared to younger patients.

Whether you go with braces or clear aligners, you should anticipate treatment taking between 24 to 36 months. It is vital you follow your orthodontist’s aligner and braces instructions during this time to accelerate and successfully complete treatment. By practicing good oral hygiene habits, you’re likely to accelerate overall treatment time as well. 

Your insurance may cover adult orthodontic treatment

One reason why some adults are hesitant to get orthodontic treatment is due to the price. While it isn’t true for all insurance companies, some do offer orthodontic treatment as part of their dental package. If you are enrolled in a dental insurance program, contact your insurance provider and your dental office and see if any orthodontic treatment services are covered.

Get orthodontic treatment from Embrace Orthodontics

Are you looking for a new orthodontist for yourself or your family in the Delmar, New York area? Then please reach out to us at Embrace Orthodontics! We are happy to provide orthodontic treatment to patients of all ages, be it through traditional metal braces or through clear aligners. Want to preview what your teeth will look like after treatment? Ask us about our 3D Orthodontic services to preview how we can improve your smile!

Contact us today if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment, and we look forward to helping you straighten your teeth here at Embrace Orthodontics!