Smithville, TX Invisalign

Clear aligners offer several advantages over traditional braces. The transparent material makes them nearly invisible when worn, so most people won’t even notice you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. This discretion makes clear aligners particularly popular among adults and teens who want to improve their smiles without the self-consciousness that can come with metal braces.

The removable nature of clear aligners also provides significant lifestyle benefits. You can take them out when eating, which means you don’t have to avoid any of your favorite foods the way you would with traditional braces. You can also remove them for brushing and flossing, making it much easier to maintain excellent oral hygiene throughout your treatment. Additionally, clear aligners don’t have any metal brackets or wires that can irritate your cheeks and gums or require emergency appointments for adjustments.

Clear aligner therapy can correct many common orthodontic and cosmetic dental concerns. These include crowded teeth, where there isn’t enough space in your jaw for all your teeth to fit properly. Aligners can also address gaps between teeth, helping to close unwanted spaces and create a more uniform smile. If you have an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, clear aligners may be able to help improve your bite alignment, depending on the severity of the condition.

During your consultation at our Smithville practice, we’ll evaluate whether clear aligner therapy is right for your specific situation. While clear aligners work well for many orthodontic concerns, some complex cases may require alternative treatment approaches. We’ll discuss all your options and help you understand what to expect from the treatment process.

Your clear aligner journey begins with an initial consultation where we assess your teeth and discuss your smile goals. If we determine that clear aligners are a good fit for your needs, we’ll take digital scans and photographs to create your custom treatment plan. Once your aligners are ready, we’ll provide you with several sets at a time and schedule periodic check-ins to monitor your progress.

Most patients adapt to wearing clear aligners within a few days. You may experience some mild pressure or discomfort when you start wearing a new set of aligners, which is a sign that they’re working to move your teeth. This sensation typically subsides within a day or two. Throughout your treatment, you’ll need to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth after meals before reinserting your aligners and cleaning the aligners themselves regularly with a soft toothbrush and clear, antibacterial soap.

Once you complete your clear aligner treatment, you’ll need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in their new positions. Your teeth have a natural tendency to shift back toward their original positions, especially in the first few months after completing orthodontic treatment. We’ll provide you with a custom retainer and give you specific instructions on how often to wear it.

Initially, you may need to wear your retainer full-time, similar to how you wore your aligners. Over time, you’ll likely transition to wearing it only at night. Following the retainer schedule we recommend helps protect your investment in your smile and ensures that your teeth stay straight for years to come.