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Aligners FAQs

Home » Aligners » Aligners FAQs

How Do I Care for My Aligners?

One of the things that people like the most about aligners is that the process of caring for them is incredibly straightforward – especially when compared to traditional braces.

All you need to know is that you should take them out of your mouth before you go to bed and brush them with water and a toothbrush to remove anything that may have been caught in them during the day. At that point, all you have to do is put them back in and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.

What Is the Treatment Process Like?

The treatment process with aligners is also incredibly straightforward. Every few weeks, you’ll swap out one set of aligners for the next in the sequence – thus making sure that your teeth continue to shift into their ideal positions for the duration of treatment.

How Much Do Aligners Cost?

This is a difficult question to answer, as it is going to be so heavily impacted by the actual length of treatment required. Longer treatments require more sets of aligners, which will increase the price.

Having said that, most people find that aligners come out to be just about the same cost as traditional braces – all via a technique that is every bit as effective and that is certainly more comfortable as well.

Are Aligners Effective?

Speaking of effectiveness, it’s true – aligners are every bit as effective as something like traditional braces for most people. When you also consider the fact that they’re far more discreet – to the point where most people probably won’t even realize that you’re wearing them at all – and you can understand why clear aligners are so popular.

How Long Does It Take for Aligners to Work?

Generally speaking, aligners begin to “work” right away – it’s just that progress is slow by design. Every time you swap out a set of aligners for the next one in the sequence, your teeth shift ever so slightly – a few millimeters or less in most cases. But by the time treatment has finished, your teeth will likely have shifted enormously and you’ll see the perfect smile you’ve always wanted for yourself staring back at you in the mirror every day.

Are There Any Diet Restrictions?

Another one of the major reasons that people love aligners is that there are no dietary restrictions. Again, this is because they’re removable and can be taken out of your mouth in seconds. All you have to do is remove the aligners and you can eat whatever you want. Just be sure to brush and floss before you put them back in again, of course.

How Do Aligners Work?

Aligners work by gently shifting your teeth into their ideal position over many months. Each set of aligners in the sequence is a little bit different than the one that came before it, thus moving your teeth farther and farther over time.

Are Aligners Right for Me?

There is a very excellent chance that aligners are right for you – but as is true with all types of corrective dental treatment, this isn’t necessarily a 100% guarantee. Your orthodontist will go over everything with you after your initial examination, making sure you have the most complete picture to work with moving forward. Even if aligners aren’t right for you, they’ll be able to discuss the options that ARE – thus allowing you to make the best decision possible with regards to your oral health.

Are Aligners Better Than Braces?

Aligners aren’t necessarily “better” than braces in that they’re somehow more effective because they’re not. Indeed, both techniques allow you to achieve the same results – just in two entirely different ways.

Most people prefer aligners because they’re far more comfortable, as the clear plastic trays themselves are created using precise measurements of your mouth. This allows them to act as something of a “second skin” to your natural teeth, offering an experience that most people get fully used to in a few days or less. Likewise, they’re far less noticeable than braces – unless you come right out and tell people you’re wearing them, most people won’t notice. Finally, because there is nothing to “break” like with traditional metal braces, treatment is usually far more straightforward as there is very little, if anything, that can truly go wrong.

But as stated, both techniques have their fair share of pros and cons. Your orthodontist will go over all of this with you well in advance so that you know exactly what to expect before treatment begins.

Are There Any Food Restrictions?

As previously mentioned, there are absolutely no food restrictions to speak of. This is not the case with traditional braces, for example, where you’ll want to avoid any foods that are particularly hard, chewy, crunchy, or even sticky. You can eat whatever you want with aligners, whereas you do have to watch a lot of what you eat when you’re fitted with traditional braces.

How Should I Clean My Aligners?

Cleaning your aligners is a lot like brushing your teeth regularly. You should follow the techniques outlined above by brushing them every night, along with any time that something is “caught” in them that could brush up against your natural teeth.

How Many Hours a Day Do I Have to Wear Aligners?

For the absolute best results, you’re going to need to wear your aligners as often as you can. Most orthodontists recommend at least 22 hours per day, but that’s just a starting point. The only times you should be taking them out of your mouth are when you’re having a meal when you’re drinking something that isn’t water, or during a special event like a prom, graduation, or a wedding. At any other point, those aligners should be securely in your mouth to guarantee the most effective treatment possible.

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What Our Patients Are Saying

Brianna S.
Literally had the best experience! Couldn’t ask for a better orthodontist.
Anna A.
Came in because I ate a chip and messed up my retainer. Dr Dressler’s and his assistants were amazing!!!! Shout out the girls in the back. Highly recommend this place! Thank you guys! 💕
Shoey R.
If I was to recommend anyone to get braces, I would tell them to come here! Love this crew and Dr. Dressler… also teeth came out amazing!
Kelly C.
Dr. Dresslers office is awesome, my Daugther’s braces were done by them and they did wonderful! My son just had his put on and I’m sure the results will be just as great! Highly recommend!
Mary B.
Wonderful group of people. Everyone was really nice and helpful. The place is very nice and clean.
Laura J.
The staff is super nice, they are very flexible with you if something happens. They get you in right away. We have had nothing but great experiences there.
Robert B.
This is our second child getting braces here and they are phenomenal again! Staff is always great! Dr Dressler really knows his stuff. He is quite funny as well. My kids love them! Well worth the money!
Sarah P.
Dr. Dressler and all of his staff are wonderful! Both my girls are current patients and we could not be happier with the service provided by Dressler Orthodontics.
Stephanie P.
This is our 2nd child added to Dr Dresser's office. We received a generous discount for having multiple children in braces thru his practice. At any time we were having problems making monthly payments we just had to call and they worked with whatever was best for us. I truly have never had a better experience with any medical or dental practices than with Dr Dresslers.
The S.
We immediately felt very welcomed by their staff. Dr. Dressler took the time to explain in detail what to expect over the next 2 years of this journey and quickly got us in for her appointment to put on her braces. An area where they truly excelled was their office manager took the time to call our insurance company and obtain all of the information including their her actual policy information since we had just changed companies and didn’t have the cards yet. She had in minutes what could’ve taken weeks potentially!! We also had established an expense account to go towards health costs and she helped us track that down with the utmost patience and diligence. I love the sense of family amongst the staff, and their office is very clean and love that they diffuse yummy smelling essential oils vs harsh scents; so being someone who’s very sensitive to chemicals, this made a good impression. My daughter loves her braces, ands they got us in immediately when we needed a quick repair . I know we made the right decision going with Dresslers office, and not knowing where to start, since we are brand new to the area and knew no one. A true gem and win!
Andrea G.
Being a prior patient with a “Dressler Smile”, I only wanted the best when it comes to my son. If excellent care by Dr Dressler and his staff wasn’t enough of a reason to come see him, the convenience of being able to text pictures of my sons teeth, and receive a quote on braces, check my insurance, schedule an appt, all on my lunch break at work would be my next reason to go here. 1st visit we were in and out with braces! It seems I never remember that I need to call and make an appt until I am at work which is inconvenient time to call, then try and look at my schedule, this takes out all of that hassle and puts my life back in my hands.
Hannah F.
Dr Dressler & staff are fantastic! We never have to wait long either, the staff is quick to respond if we need help after hours. This is our 3 set of braces (third patient) with in our household he has done!
Cannon W.
Everyone at Dr. Dressler’s office was amazing! Very clear with plans, instructions, and information. I’m so glad we chose them! My son really liked Bria. She was great with him, she’s awesome! Dr. Dressler took his time and explained the needs and what he looked to happen in the future.
Josslyn K.
Great place! Wonderful staff. They took my very shy and anxious kid and made her experience one that she raved about. Keep up the great work.
Marionnth “Maudi” D.
Dr. Dressier and his staff are amazing. My daughters felt comfortable and they guided us through the whole process.
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