How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Education is a fundamental step in any orthodontic treatment approach, and it’s especially valuable to us at Ragan Orthodontics. Many patients ask us how clear aligners work to straighten their teeth, so we’re going to shed some light on this question.

A Different Approach

Our team offers three different brands of clear aligners: Invisalign, Reveal, and our in-house Ragan Aligners. Dr. Ragan knows all of these treatments by heart, and we’ve seen incredible results with them. Here’s a brief overview of how clear aligners work:

  • Clear aligners are used to treat many different orthodontic issues, like crowding, spacing, overbite, and underbite—usually in teens and adults.
  • Each set of aligners is fabricated based on 3D models of your teeth, with each one gradually shifting your smile into place.
  • You’ll switch between these trays every 1-2 weeks until active treatment concludes, at which point you’ll use retainers to keep your new smile in place long-term.
  • This treatment is practically invisible, which has made it an overwhelmingly popular option for millions of patients over the years.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Hitting the Ground Running

For all manners of orthodontic treatment, there are “best practices” that can make your experience much better overall. It’s helpful to know these tips at the very beginning so that you can set the correct course for the rest of your treatment. Keep this information in mind during your treatment with clear aligners:

  1. Practice Removal and Insertion: Patients rarely think that taking their aligners in and out will be difficult—but it can actually take some practice. Try using a gentle rocking motion, starting from the back teeth instead of the front. An aligner hook can come in handy to help remove them when they’re particularly snug.
  2. Sensitivity: Each time Dr. Ragan gives you a new set of clear aligners to wear, you can expect a brief period of discomfort as your teeth adjust to the initial tightness. Remember that this tightness is a sign that your aligners are working to shift your teeth. During these first few days, it can be helpful to try and eat more soft foods like yogurt, soup, and pasta, all of which are gentle on your teeth.
  3. Cleaning After Eating: The good news is that you can take your clear aligners out to eat, so this won’t limit your diet too much. But you will also need to clean your teeth and clear aligners every time you’re finished eating, which can take some getting used to.
  4. Manage Dry Mouth or Soreness: Dry mouth is more likely to occur when you have an appliance like Invisalign. We suggest sipping on water or eating sugar free mints to help stimulate saliva production when this happens. If your aligners ever feel sharp or cause irritation, you can use orthodontic wax as a short-term solution. It’s usually a good idea to call Ragan Orthodontics in this situation to see if we can make any adjustments to your current set of clear aligners.
  5. Keep Them in a Case: One obstacle people face with their clear aligners is simply misplacing them. There are some ways to avoid this, most importantly,  remembering to use your case when you aren’t wearing your aligners. Try to avoid leaving them out on a counter or nightstand—this is usually how damage or loss happens.
  6. Be Gentle with Cleaning: Toothpaste is ideal for cleaning your teeth, but not your clear aligners. A soft-bristled brush and gentle soap will do the trick for daily cleaning. Anything too abrasive can cause damage or cloudiness.
  7. Practice Speaking Private: Some patients don’t anticipate speech changes with clear aligners, but this is extremely common. It can be a slight lisp or trouble with pronouncing certain words, which can be resolved by practicing speech at home or with a friend.
  8. Keep a Schedule: At the very start of your treatment, our Ragan Orthodontics team will present you with a detailed plan—and you need to stick to this as closely as you can to successfully complete Invisalign. One point to pay attention to is when you switch your clear aligner sets. We recommend setting reminders on your phone or calendar, especially if you know you struggle with keeping a schedule.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Smooth Sailing

So yes—there will be a learning curve with clear aligners, but that’s no reason to be discouraged! Having Dr. Ragan and the rest of our team of experts like ours in your corner means that you’ll be well taken care of even when treatment gets challenging! We encourage you to ask any questions that may arise along the way; we probably have an answer for you! Come see us soon in Park Cities or Preston Hollow!