Show Off Your Smile As It Transforms
Orthodontic aligners are made from a clear material that can straighten teeth similar to the way braces do – only without the brackets and wires.
Aligners work by gently applying controlled pressure to your teeth in different areas of your mouth, during different parts of your treatment.
They can be a great orthodontic treatment option for older teens and adults who'd prefer a lower profile option in terms of aesthetics, and the convenience of a removable orthodontic treatment.
Because aligners are made with a transparent material that blends seamlessly with your natural teeth, you can smile without inhibition and enjoy watching the gradual changes as your smile transforms.
And because they're removable, you can eat all of your favourite foods, and easily brush, floss and maintain your oral health just like you normally would.
Flexible Payment Plans
At Lo Elliott Orthodontics, we believe that finances should never be a barrier to a healthy smile. Our team would be happy to work with you to develop a zero-interest payment plan to fit your budget. Now that's worth smiling about.
Clear Aligners if Braces Aren't Your Style
At Lo Elliott Orthodontics, our orthodontists offer clear aligner treatment for teens and adults.
Clear Aligners for Teens
For teens who are concerned about how metal braces will make them look, clear aligners may be an ideal orthodontic treatment option.
Clear Aligners for Adults
Many of our adult patients choose clear aligners to straighten their teeth because they find that they fit in seamlessly with their day-to-day lives.
Features of Clear Alignment Treatment
Aligners offer a number of great features that can help clear your path to a straighter smile.
Smooth Construction
Clear aligners are made of a completely smooth material, tailored to fit the unique contours of your teeth, meaning you'll experience no irritation or discomfort from metal wires or brackets.
Each custom-made aligner is made from multi-layered, clear, BPA-free polymers, making them strong as well as smooth.
Barely-There Aesthetics
For those with aesthetic concerns when it comes to orthodontic treatment, clear aligners can be a great choice.
The clear polymer construction and custom fit of each aligner make them nearly invisible when worn. The casual observer may not even notice you're wearing them!
Removable Aligners
Because aligners are removable, you can take them out before each meal, allowing you to enjoy all your favourite foods without restrictions.
You can also take the aligners out to brush and floss your teeth, so your oral hygiene routine will be unaffected.
No Adjustment Appointments Needed
Clear aligners don't need to be adjusted like braces do. Instead, you just progress from one set of aligners to the next in the series as prescribed by your orthodontist.
Of course, you'll still need to visit us for checkups to assess your progress, but you'll definitely save time on those adjustment appointments!
Digital Impressions with iTero
Our orthodontist uses the iTero 3D scanner to take digital impressions of your smile – and show you your projected results – in preparation for clear aligner treatment.
iTero impressions are nonintrusive and don't require any goopy impression material like physical impressions do.
The Clear Aligner Treatment Process
Wondering how it all works? Find out what to expect during your orthodontic treatment with clear aligners.
Initial Consultation
At your initial consultation, your orthodontist will perform an exam and imaging to diagnose your orthodontic condition, and create a custom treatment plan just for you. Your orthodontist will also address any questions or concerns you may have about the practical and financial aspects of your clear aligner treatment.
The Treatment Plan
Based on the findings from your exam and your digital scan, your orthodontist will develop a comprehensive treatment plan that will map out the precise movements of your teeth at each stage, and the approximate duration of your treatment. Using the precise measurements taken through imaging, your aligners will be made at a lab using 3D printing technology.
Wearing Your Aligners
For the duration of your treatment, you'll wear your aligners for 22 hours every day, only removing them for a total of about two hours a day, to eat, or to brush and floss your teeth. Approximately every other week or so, you'll change from one aligner to the next in the series. Gradually, you'll see your new smile realized as your teeth shift into their corrected positions.
Appointments With Us
Throughout your aligner treatment, you'll visit our office periodically for checkups. During these appointments, your orthodontist will assess your progress, and make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed. Always feel free to use these appointments to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.
Enjoy & Maintain
You've made it to the end of treatment – congratulations! It's time to enjoy your straighter, healthier smile. At your final appointment, your orthodontist will review the progress your smile has made and prescribe retainers to maintain your teeth in their current positions.
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Questions About Clear Aligners? We've Got Answers.
If you're considering orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, there's a lot to learn – and you probably have all sorts of questions. Get started by reading our Clear Aligner FAQs to learn more about this orthodontic treatment.
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What are clear aligners?
Clear aligner orthodontic treatment is a series of clear, custom aligners that straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.
Using advanced 3D computer imaging technology, we will create a treatment plan based on your unique smile.
Your aligners will then be manufactured to fit your teeth precisely during each stage of the treatment process.
- What are the primary features of clear aligners?
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How do clear aligners work?
Aligner treatment is a sequential series of clear plastic aligner sets designed to move your teeth in tiny increments. You will wear each aligner for about two weeks (or as prescribed by your orthodontist) before replacing it with the next one in the series, which will pick up where the last one left off.
This process will continue until your teeth are in their prescribed, corrected positions.
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How much does clear aligner treatment cost?
The cost of orthodontic treatment with clear aligners depends on the severity of your case and how many aligners you'll need to resolve it. The more severe or complex the misalignment is, the more aligners you'll need to correct it, and the more your treatment will cost.
Concerns about cost are completely understandable. We offer flexible, no-interest payment plans to help ensure that orthodontic care is affordable for almost anyone looking to develop a straighter and healthier smile.
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How many sets of aligners will I need?
The answer to this question will depend on the nature and severity of your misalignment. Each case is different.
Based on a detailed evaluation of your bite during your initial consultation, your orthodontist will give you an accurate estimate of how long your treatment will last.
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How long does clear aligner treatment take?
Your orthodontist will determine the approximate duration of your clear aligner treatment based on your specific needs.
Factors that may affect the duration of your treatment include the nature and severity of the misalignment of your teeth or jaw. This determines the amount of movement that will be required to correct the problem, and how many aligners you'll need to go through to accomplish this.
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What are aligners made of?
The material used to make clear aligners differs somewhat between brands, but they are generally constructed from smooth, BPA-free, multilayered polymers.
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Can adults use clear aligners?
Yes! Almost anyone with healthy teeth and gums is a potential candidate for aligner treatment.
Many adults these days are opting to undergo orthodontic treatment with clear aligners because of their discreet look, and the convenience of being able to remove them to eat, and to brush and floss.
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Can teenagers use clear aligners?
Yes! Teens certainly can be candidates for aligner treatment. In fact, many teens find that clear aligner treatment fits easily into their busy day-to-day lives.
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Will clear aligner treatment fit my lifestyle?
Like any orthodontic treatment, aligners take a bit of getting used to at first. But we believe you'll find that it fits very comfortably into your daily routines.
Aligners can be removed whenever you need to eat, drink, brush and floss. That means no dietary restrictions, and you can maintain your normal oral hygiene routine.
And because the aligners are made of a lightweight, clear plastic, they are almost invisible when worn, meaning your orthodontic treatment won't be that apparent to anyone but you.
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How often do I have to visit the orthodontist with aligners?
You'll need to visit the orthodontist every 12 weeks during your aligner treatment for a checkup, so that your orthodontist can assess your progress. If any refinements or adjustments are needed for your treatment, they may require some extra visits.
Clear aligners don't require any adjustments or tightening – you just switch to a new set as prescribed by your orthodontist – so you won't need to visit us for these types of appointments during your treatment.
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How often do I have to change my aligners?
When you first start treatment, your orthodontist will tell you exactly how often you should switch out your aligners. The frequency varies a bit among patients, but it's normally about every two weeks.
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Are there any food or drink restrictions?
You will be removing your aligners to eat, so there aren't really any dietary restrictions while you're undergoing clear aligner treatment.
You will also need to take your aligners out to drink any beverages other than water (things like pop, coffee, juice, Slurpees, etc.) to avoid staining, and so that sugars and acids don't get trapped between the aligners and your teeth.
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How do I clean my aligners?
There are a few different steps involved when it comes to keeping your aligners clean.
You'll want to rinse them off each time you take them out of your mouth to wash away dry saliva and plaque that may be beginning to develop.
You should also clean your aligners thoroughly each day. Use a soft toothbrush, clear anti-bacterial soap or toothpaste, and cool water to clean them. Brush your aligners gently so as not to scratch them, and then rinse off the soap. Then you're done!
In addition to cleaning the aligners themselves, you should make sure your mouth is nice and clean before you put them back in. This means brushing and flossing after each meal to ensure that no food particles get stuck between your teeth and the aligners, leading to bad breath, and possibly cavities and gum disease.
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How do I store my aligners?
Store your aligners in the case they come with any time they're not in your mouth or soaking in cleaning solution. This will keep them safe and clean until it's time to put them back in.
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Can I play sports with clear aligners?
Your aligners are removable, so you can play sports without worrying about damaging them.
However, keep in mind that in order to keep treatment on track, your aligners must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day (or as prescribed by your orthodontist), so plan your time carefully.
Investing in a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth during orthodontic treatment in general is imperative. Orthodontic treatment causes your teeth to loosen slightly as they shift into their new positions, and this can make them more susceptible to damage than they normally are.
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Can I play my woodwind or brass instrument with aligners?
Yes! Simply remove your aligners to play your instrument, and pop them back in when you're done.
Keep in mind that you must keep your aligners in for about 22 hours a day (or as prescribed by your orthodontist), so be sure to plan your practice time carefully.
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Aligners vs. braces: which is right for me?
Clear aligners and braces are both effective orthodontic treatment options, but there are differences between them that may affect their suitability for different individuals.
Factors to consider when choosing between aligners and braces include aesthetics, your personal preferences and lifestyle, cost, and the nature and severity of your misalignment. You can learn more here.
Your orthodontist will assess your specific case and recommend the best treatment option for your needs.