Here at Guymon Orthodontics, we’re in the business of creating beautiful smiles. Dr. Russell Guymon and our expert team are proud to offer patients of all ages several innovative treatment options, including clear aligners. These clear aligner systems are our most popular alternative to traditional braces, allowing us to achieve the same results without brackets or wires.
If you’ve been considering orthodontics but aren’t sure if braces are a good fit, clear aligners could be the perfect smile solution! Let’s take a closer look at what they are and how they can give you a major smile makeover. Keep reading below to learn more!
What are clear aligners?
Our experienced orthodontist Dr. Guymon has many years of education and training in using orthodontic appliances to correct various issues. He can use both fixed and removable devices to achieve straighter smiles. Traditional braces are fixed appliances, which means the brackets are attached directly to the front or back surface of the teeth. Since most of the hard work is done when braces are placed, your primary responsibilities are keeping them clean and following the guidelines for wearing elastics.
Clear aligners are removable appliances. We custom-design them to fit snugly over your teeth but aren’t attached to any part of them, although some people who need additional force will have attachments bonded to the teeth. These tiny tooth-colored “bumps” are placed in specific spots to allow the aligners to grip the teeth as they shift them, while the aligners themselves remain fully removable.
This exciting treatment option uses a series of clear aligners to move the teeth into more desirable positions over time. If you choose clear aligners, you must be much more hands-on during the treatment process than if you were wearing braces. You’ll need to wear the trays for 20-22 hours each day and switch aligners out for the next in the series every 1week for the system to succeed. This keeps your teeth moving in the right direction, and when you do not comply with these guidelines, it can lead to longer treatment times and subpar results.
How does the treatment process work with clear aligners?
There’s no cookie-cutter treatment here at Guymon Orthodontics! Every smile transformation starts with an initial consultation in one of our offices in Logan or Hyrum. During this first visit, Dr. Guymon will examine your smile and discuss any concerns you have about your oral health. We’ll take some digital images of your mouth, including X-rays if necessary. We’ll give you a customized treatment plan that includes all the movements we want your teeth to make and an estimate of how long we expect treatment to take. You may even get a preview of the final result!
After you decide on a treatment plan with Dr. Guymon, we’ll give the lab a heads-up to create your first set of aligners. You’ll be on your way to a beautiful new smile as soon as they come in! The total number of clear aligners needed will vary from case to case, but most patients use between 18 and 30 aligners altogether. Treatment time will also depend on several different factors, with the average length being about 9-15 months.
Our expert team will be here to guide you through every step of your orthodontic journey. Regular check-ups are essential, and you can expect to see Dr. Guymon once every 6 to 8 weeks or so. During these visits, he’ll check that everything is progressing as it should be and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
What are the benefits of clear aligners?
The removability of clear aligners is their most significant selling point! This allows patients an extra measure of freedom that traditional braces lack. Take food restrictions, for example. To protect the wires and brackets during treatment, patients in braces need to avoid eating anything crunchy or chewy. Although the result is worth it, giving up certain foods can be frustrating!
Since you should remove clear aligners before eating, you can eat and drink everything you usually would during treatment. You take the aligner out whenever you want to eat, then replace it when you’re done! This makes it easier to maintain a good oral hygiene routine, too. It can be time-consuming to clean around brackets and wires, especially at first. But clear aligners are removed before brushing and flossing as you normally would, so it’s easy to care for your teeth and gums.
Since they can be taken out for short periods, removable aligners are a bonus for athletes and musicians who play specific instruments. They can also be the perfect solution for anyone who wishes to let their natural smile shine through occasionally, like at weddings, proms, or even senior photos.
Clear aligners are the top choice at Guymon Orthodontics
Clear aligners are the top choice at Guymon OrthodonticsIt’s easy to see why clear aligners are a popular alternative to traditional braces! Our Guymon Orthodontics team loves how convenient and effective this treatment option is and would be happy to discuss the many benefits of clear aligners with you in our Logan or Hyrum locations. Get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation with Dr. Guymon and take the first step towards discovering your best smile!