Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Clear Aligners

Clear aligners is a great option for certain patients who want to correct slightly misaligned teeth. Dr Amir Kiaee and Dr Valerie Baluyut are clear aligner dentists in Pascoe Vale who can help you attain a more symmetrical smile. Millions of people across the world have used clear aligns, such as Invisalign, and have been pleased with the results. Perhaps you will, too!

What Are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners are an innovative orthodontic system that uses clear, BPA-free plastic aligners to gradually move a patient’s teeth into a more desirable position. Clear aligners are smooth, slick, and custom-made to fit over a patient’s teeth. Also called ‘invisible braces’, clear aligners are considered to be a faster and more discreet alternative to traditional metal braces. 

How Does It Work? 

If Dr Kiaee determines you are a good candidate for clear aligners, he will take a mold of your teeth and send it to a lab for fabrication. Once the aligners are ready, you will begin wearing them in a series.

Each set in the series is tighter than the last, which is how it moves the teeth. The length of treatment depends on your unique case, and Dr Kiaee will discuss all of these details with you during your consultation. 

Our Special Orthodontic Package 

We are delighted to offer our patients a limited offer for clear aligners treatment. The special includes:

• Free Consultation with the Clean and Check Package
• Clear Aligners treatment (using brands such as Invisalign)
• Retainers after treatment
• Regular cleans and checkups during treatment
• Professional teeth whitening after treatment

If this is an opportunity that interests you, we invite you to give us a call. 

Clear aligners, are an option available for straightening the teeth that uses clear plastic aligners rather than the traditional metal brackets and wires of regular orthodontics. The clear aligners use a gentle pressure to nudge the teeth into place over a period of about a year to 18 months. The aligners must be worn 22 hours each day in order for patients to achieve their smile goals.

Every couple of weeks, patients will change the aligners for a new set that will continue to move the teeth into the desired position.

The aligners are removable, so patients can take them out for eating and cleaning the teeth. They can also be removed for the occasional important social or business occasion.

Although there is a slight learning curve at the beginning while patients grow accustomed to speaking while wearing the aligners, most people adjust well.

Contact Our Pascoe Vale Practice

If you are interested in clear aligners, we invite you to contact Dr. Amir and Dr. Valerie at our Pascoe Vale, VIC dental clinic, and they can tell you if you might be a good candidate for this discreet orthodontics treatment. Dr. Amir and Dr. Valerie primarily recommend clear aligners to older teens and adults who agree to be compliant with wearing the aligners for the allotted time each day.

If you are considering clear aligners at our Pascoe Vale, VIC dental clinic, we welcome your call to talk to Dr. Amir or Dr. Valerie about whether this treatment is a good option for you. To help you weigh up the decision, here are some general pros and cons people often consider.

Pros of Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are designed to be discreet, and many people find that the smooth plastic trays are hardly noticeable in day-to-day interactions. They may also fit nicely into a variety of lifestyles because they are removable for eating and cleaning.

Treatment time varies from person to person, though some patients complete their aligner sequence within a year or more, depending on the complexity of their case and how consistently the aligners are worn.

Because the trays are removed for brushing and flossing, some people find it easier to maintain their usual oral hygiene routine.

Cons of Clear Aligners

Because the aligners are removable, they can be misplaced if not stored properly during meals. Clear aligner success also depends on wearing the trays as directed, which may feel challenging for some people at first.

There may be a short adjustment period when speaking with the aligners in place.

We invite you to contact our Pascoe Vale, VIC dental clinic to learn more about clear aligners and whether they may be appropriate for your orthodontic needs.

There is more to having straight teeth than just having a beautiful smile. Having straight teeth can actually improve health issues for some people.

Patients with the following issues might want to consider clear aligners:

• TMJ—If you have a misaligned bite, this can contribute to issues with the jaw joint and lead to a disorder known as TMJ. This painful condition of the temporomandibular joint often causes earaches, headaches and neck pain.
• Teeth grinding—People who have a tendency to grind their teeth do better when their bite is well-aligned. Wearing the clear plastic aligners can also help relax the muscles that cause teeth grinding and clenching, and in some cases, patients find that their symptoms have been alleviated.
• Difficulty cleaning the teeth—When teeth are crooked or overlapped, flossing and brushing can be more of a challenge. Properly aligned teeth have fewer spaces for bacteria to get trapped in, which can lead to the formation of plaque. Crooked teeth also make people prone to a condition known as ‘food impaction,’ which is when food particles get caught between the teeth. Even with good oral hygiene, these areas are tough to keep clean.

Contact our Pascoe Vale Clinic

Our Pascoe Vale, VIC dental clinic welcomes your call to find out more about the benefits of clear aligners.