How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Dr. Marckese offers patients the option of orthodontic treatment using Sure Smile® clear aligners. Ideal for teen and adult patients with mild to moderate orthodontic concerns, clear aligners will reposition your teeth for a straighter smile and healthier bite. But how, exactly, does this treatment work? How do clear aligners move your teeth?

Clear Aligners & Tooth Movement

Clear aligners are thin, clear mouthguard-like appliances that are custom made to fit over your teeth while also gently forcing tooth movement. Made from a unique plastic material, the aligners are able to place enough pressure on the teeth to affect the position of the tooth root and the ligaments holding the tooth in place in the socket. These movements are incremental and build as you change aligners during treatment. The gentle pressure being created by the aligners forces the subtle movement of the tooth roots and ligaments and corresponding changes in the bone structure supporting them. This is why you wear each set for a period of about two weeks, allowing time for the hard and soft tissues being impacted to react and begin to realign the teeth.

Each new set of aligners (if treating the top and bottom arches of teeth) is slightly different, custom created using your initial digital dental impressions and the Sure Smile software. As you change the aligners over the course of treatment, the teeth move slowly into the desired position. Under the gums, the ligaments, bone structure, and tooth roots are moving within your jaw. Over the course of treatment and with the use of a retainer after treatment, these changes become stable and permanent.

The key to effective treatment with clear aligners is wearing them the recommended number of hours daily, which is usually 22 hours a day. This allows time for removing your aligners to eat and brush and floss your teeth. Retainer therapy after treatment is also important and will prevent what is known as orthodontic relapse where the teeth gradually return to their “original” position.

Clear Aligners for Adults in Indianapolis

Sure Smile clear aligners can be the perfect orthodontic solution for adult patients. Invisible, comfortable, and effective, clear aligners can give you the smile you have always wanted without the hassle and embarrassment of metal braces. A straighter smile is also a healthier and more stable smile. Crooked teeth are often more susceptible to decay and damage over time. When teeth are positioned correctly, it minimizes bite problems and teeth grinding, two common dental concerns that can lead to more complex issues.

Dr. Marckese works with adults seeking to improve the health and appearance of their smiles. In addition to Sure Smile, she offers comprehensive smile makeovers including Botox and dermal fillers.