Aligning Your Teeth- More Than Cosmetic

Have you noticed your teeth shifting? Sometimes this happens if you do not wear retainers after orthodontic treatment, and sometimes it just happens as we age.

If you have concerns with teeth position, these should ideally be evaluated in children by age seven since certain issues are much easier to correct before bones have fully developed. But as an adult, you are never “too old” for orthodontic treatment. With clear aligner therapy, you can discretely improve teeth position.

Concerns You Might Be Experiencing

If you have difficulty cleaning areas where your teeth are crowded, have spaces between teeth, feel like your bite is “off”, or even just want to feel more confident in your smile, you should discuss these concerns with your dentist.

Clear aligners can often be a great option. In other cases traditional braces and other treatment options can still be available.

It is crucial to make sure teeth and gums are stable before moving teeth, and this is one of the many reasons you do not want to jump into this type of treatment without a dentist overseeing it. 

Direct to Consumer (DTC) Aligners

Companies such as SmileDirectClub and Byte provide(d) aligners directly to consumers. Byte’s website states, “Byte aligners can help you get the smile of your dreams from the convenience of your home, without costly and inconvenient trips to a doctor.” But there are reasons why treatment should require trips to a doctor.

The American Dental Association (ADA) has affirmed, “Moving teeth without knowing all aspects of a patient’s oral condition has the potential to cause bone loss, lost teeth, receding gums, bite problems, jaw pain, and other damaging and permanent issues. Without the involvement of a licensed dentist, patients lose an essential quality control checkpoint—their dentist—to ensure all aspects of their treatment are performed and are progressing in the best interests of the patient.”

In certain cases it may be indicated for your doctor to perform a procedure called “interproximal reduction” to gain space for your teeth to move. In addition, your doctor will often want to place “attachments” on the teeth, which help the aligners grip the teeth and also aid in clear aligner treatment. These types of procedures are not possible when simply mail ordering trays.

While DTC options may be enticing and some people get lucky with them, it is a risk you should not take with your oral health. If the treatment has a poor outcome, in a worst case it could result in permanent damage and in a best case you will end up investing more money and time.

You should always complete orthodontic treatment under the care of a trained dentist or orthodontist- and not just one who signs a prescription or meets with you virtually.

SmileDirectClub filed for bankruptcy in September 2023 and urged their customers to consult a doctor about treatment. 

What to Expect

Clear aligners can be a great option to correct both functional and esthetic concerns. Aligning teeth is not just cosmetic! It can improve your ability to clean your teeth, lowering your risk for gum disease and cavities, and correcting bite issues can lower risk for chipped and cracked teeth. 

Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners are nearly invisible, allowing for discretion. In addition, they are removed when you eat and complete your oral hygiene, making it easy and accessible for you to clean.

In order to successfully move teeth, aligners should be kept in all day and night and only removed for eating and cleaning. Compliance with consistent wear is crucial for a successful outcome. Some tenderness, especially when starting a new aligner is expected since teeth are moving. But patients generally do not experience significant discomfort.

Your doctor will prescribe how long to wear each aligner. Most often aligners are worn on average for two weeks each. The number of aligners you will wear will depend on treatment goals and case complexity. Once your treatment is complete, you will use retainers so your teeth do not try to shift back.

Darling Dentistry offers Clear Aligner Therapy for qualifying adult patients and referrals to an orthodontist as indicated for children and adults. 

Dr. Kelsey B.P. Garza is a General Dentist and the owner of Darling Dentistry in Bulverde, TX. She is delighted to be able to provide patients in and around Bulverde and Spring Branch with an elevated experience to the dentist through quality, compassionate, and ethical care with special attention to providing a more relaxing environment and helping patients overcome dental anxiety and fear. She is an active member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, American Association of Women Dentists, Texas Dental Association, San Antonio District Dental Society, and the Bulverde - Spring Branch Area Chamber of Commerce. She offers Clear Aligner Therapy for qualifying adult patients. She is accepting new patients. If you have any questions or concerns or would like to schedule an appointment, click the Schedule Now button to reserve your spot through our online scheduling, or reach out to 830.357.7177 or care@darlingdentistry.com.

References:
https://www.ada.org/about/press-releases/american-dental-association-reaffirms-policy-opposing-direct-to-consumer-dentistry

https://apnews.com/article/smile-direct-club-shuts-down-bankruptcy-ecff8127b0bf54812a98217dde5a2170

https://www.dentsplysirona.com/en-us/discover/discover-by-procedure/tph-spectra-st-for-suresmile-attachments.html#:~:text=for%20suresmile%20attachments-,Bonded%20attachments%20with%20TPH%20Spectra%C2%AE%20ST%20universal%20composite%20restorative,them%20to%20their%20new%20locations.