A quick Instagram scroll and clear aligners appear to be the easiest way to get your teeth straightened. You see people smiling proudly at work, at the dinner table with friends, or smiling about their smile transformation and never looking like they had braces.
The case is clear. Clear aligners are invisible, removable and designed to fit into your everyday life. They may look like a much simpler choice than traditional braces. But those perfectly posed photos aren’t often caught in the moments in between, on Instagram. It doesn’t show someone taking their aligners out before lunch or having forgotten to put them back in after breakfast.
Clear aligners can be helpful but they also require consistency and some changes to your daily habits. It’s worth knowing what actually goes into wearing them before you decide if they’re right for you.
Read this guide to find out more.
How Invisible Are Clear Aligners?
Many people opt for clear aligners due to their appearance. The transparent trays fit closely over your teeth, making them much less noticeable than traditional metal braces. This is especially attractive if you are working, going to school or simply want a more discreet orthodontic treatment. Clear aligners will not, however, be completely invisible! Your dentist or orthodontist might attach small tooth-colored pieces to some teeth to guide the movement of the aligners. These can sometimes be visible when you smile. The aligners can reflect light as well or be visible when talking closely. Most of the time, they’re a very subtle choice, but it’s probably too much to ask that no one will notice them at all.
Can You Eat and Drink Normally?
Clear aligners are removable, meaning there are no food restrictions as with traditional braces. Overall, you should be able to continue eating your favorite foods, since you take out the trays before you eat. But it comes with an added step. You must remove your aligners before eating your meals and snacks, store them away in a safe place, and wipe your teeth before re-inserting your aligners if at all possible. Drinking plain water is usually safe when you are wearing your aligners, but other beverages can be an issue. Sugar or acid fluids under the trays can cause tooth decay or enamel erosion, and hot liquids can warp the plastic.
How Many Hours Do You Need to Wear Them?
This is where clear aligner treatment becomes more demanding than Instagram makes it appear. The treatment plan will typically involve wearing the aligners for about 20-22 hours a day, depending on your specific case and your orthodontist’s instructions. This means there is little time for eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth. Taking your aligners out for an occasional photograph is usually straightforward. It’s a different story when they’re left out for several hours each day. Wearing the aligners consistently will ensure the forces required to move your teeth are applied as they are designed. If you frequently forget to put them back in, your teeth may not move as expected, potentially affecting your treatment schedule. Removable aligners are very convenient, and you can only enjoy them if you wear them regularly.
Will Clear Aligners Impact Your Speech?
It may take some time for people to adapt to a slight change in their speech when they first start wearing clear aligners. It is possible that you will have a temporary lisp, or some words will be harder to pronounce, due to your tongue adjusting to the trays. For many people, this improves as they become accustomed to wearing them. The transition period, however, may be different. If you have to give presentations, meetings, teach, or talk a lot, think about how this might affect you during the first few days. Practicing speaking and reading aloud while wearing your aligners may help you become more comfortable. It is vital to understand that it is a process of adjustment and not something that should become entirely natural right away.
Are Clear Aligners Comfortable?
Clear aligners are often described as comfortable, as they don’t have the metal brackets and wires related to conventional braces. But comfortable doesn’t mean without any pain at all. When you begin treatment or change to a new set of aligners, you might feel pressure or tenderness. This is because the trays have a specific way of applying the pressure to move your teeth slowly over time. A few individuals also experience temporary irritation around their own gums or around the edges of their trays. Discomfort may be manageable, but if it continues or is severe, consult your dentist or orthodontist. Although clear aligners aren’t as noticeable as braces, they are still an orthodontic treatment that physically applies pressure to your teeth.