Many parents have their children wear braces to ensure they grow up with beautiful grins, but what if an adult wants to make such changes to their own mouths? If you’re trying to maintain a professional image or a healthy social life, unsightly metal brackets and wires might be less than helpful. Luckily, for many patients, an orthodontist in Kittanning may be able to offer an alternative: ClearCorrect. Learn more about this treatment – and who can use it in order to enhance a smile.
What is ClearCorrect?
ClearCorrect is sometimes referred to as “clear braces.” You’ll receive several plastic aligner trays; each one is designed to make small adjustments to the position of your teeth. The aligners need to be worn for at least 22 hours a day, but you can take them out in order to eat and brush.
A big advantage of ClearCorrect is that your appearance is vastly improved compared to metal braces; most people won’t even notice that you’re wearing the trays. Other advantages include increased comfort, a lack of diet limitations, and more efficient treatment (meaning you won’t need to visit the orthodontist or dentist in Kittanning as often as you would with traditional braces).
Who Can Get ClearCorrect?
Clear braces are usually intended for adults and teenagers who worry about their image. Oftentimes, children aren’t good candidates because they lack the discipline to keep their aligners in their mouths for the requisite amount of time; there’s also the risk of forgetting to put the trays back in after meals.
Generally, whether or not an individual can get ClearCorrect depends on the type and severity of the orthodontic issues that need to be treated. Examples include:
- Overbite and Underbite: The front teeth don’t line up; the upper jaw is either too far ahead or too far behind the lower jaw.
- Overcrowding: If the teeth are too large compared to the mouth, they may not fit properly and can bunch up, overlap and twist.
- Crooked Teeth: Sometimes teeth won’t come in correctly or can drift into open space.
- Gaps Between Teeth: Naturally, this is a sign that the teeth are too far apart.
All of these problems can lead to additional dental health issues, such as an increased risk of tooth decay; as such, ClearCorrect can improve your oral health along with your smile.
Of course, that doesn’t mean clear braces will work in every case; sometimes traditional orthodontics are the best option for extensive corrections. Your orthodontist can evaluate the current state of your oral health and help you decide whether ClearCorrect is right for you. Make sure you’re clear about what you want to accomplish with the treatment, and don’t be afraid to voice any questions or concerns!
About the Author
Dr. Ray Voller loves helping families in Kittanning and has a particular interest in using orthodontics to correct misaligned teeth. His practice, Voller Dentistry, offers ClearCorrect alongside traditional braces. If you or your child needs a straighter smile, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Voller by visiting his website or by calling (724) 543-4948.