Clear Aligners and Braces In Chelsea, MA

The decision to undergo orthodontic treatment can greatly improve the appearance of your smile, oral health, and self-confidence. For patients with moderate alignment issues, clear aligners may be your best bet for a quicker, straighter smile, however, every patient and their needs vary and not every patient is a suitable candidate for clear aligners. For patients with more severe cases, including over and underbites, crooked teeth, or overcrowding, traditional braces are for you. Whether your case is moderate or severe, you can rest assured that our dentist can provide you with the highest level of orthodontic care possible to provide you with a smile you will love.

Typically, for patients who require serious correction, wire braces are recommended since they can carry the necessary force to drastically shift teeth into proper alignment. However, for more discreet treatment, we may suggest clear aligners, depending on your individual needs. The greatest advantages for most patients is that braces can transform their smile, restore their self-confidence, improve their appearance, and offer many oral health benefits. By correcting crooked, overlapping, and crowded teeth, you can brush and floss more efficiently, chew more easily, and smile more confidently. As your bite becomes properly aligned, it can also relieve tension on your jaw which often causes discomfort if your teeth are not properly aligned.

To begin treatment, we attach brackets to the front of each tooth. Rubber bands are then wrapped around the brackets to place tension on your teeth. Finally, a metal wire is inserted to connect the brackets. Together these pieces shift and guide your teeth into proper alignment. Once your treatment goals have been met, your braces can be removed. You are then provided with a retainer which should be worn regularly to prevent your teeth from shifting out of place. Wearing your retainer as recommended is especially critical in the first few months after removal of your braces, since the hard and soft tissues supporting your teeth are not yet stabilized. Typically, you can reduce the frequency of how often you wear your retainer over time, eventually only wearing it at night or a few times each week.

Instead of wearing wires and brackets for the duration of your treatment, you receive sets of clear trays that need to be worn for several weeks at a time. Once a series of trays is complete, you will wear a new set, specifically designed to progress the movement of your teeth into their proper position. The trays must be worn for 20-22-hours each day to keep your treatment on track.

Typically, the average treatment timeline using clear aligners is about one year, however, every patient is unique. If you only need small adjustments, you may only need to wear your trays for a few months. Similar to other orthodontic options, the greatest benefit of clear aligners is the boost in self-confidence. In addition, clear aligners are significantly less noticeable and are more comfortable than traditional braces. They are also completely removable, allowing you to care for your teeth and eat anything you like with ease.

As you are weighing the cost and the convenience of clear aligners, you may wonder if the treatment is ideal for you and your needs. The best way to find out is to schedule a consultation with us. We can answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you understand the benefits of invisible orthodontics.