Are Clear Braces and Clear Aligners the Same Treatment?

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If you want to align your mouth, you have more options than ever before. Whether you’re trying to correct your bite or just straighten a crowded section of your mouth, brands of every variety have come out with different solutions for nearly every kind of patient. If you’re looking to avoid a mouthful of metal, we’ll look at the difference between clear braces and clear aligners in Norton, OH.

Clear Aligners vs. Clear Braces

Clear aligners are not the same product as clear braces. Clear braces refer to traditional braces, except the brackets are either clear or white, so they blend into your smile. Clear aligners refer to removable trays that you wear around 22 hours a day. These trays are custom-molded to your mouth to shift your teeth and jaw.

Which One Is Better?

It’s not a question of which treatment is better, only which one will help you most. Clear aligners are typically recommended to people with mild to moderate cases, while clear braces can help people with more complex needs. The good news is that both types of treatments can give you the confidence you need to smile wide, even if clear braces typically require more commitment on the part of the wearer.

Finding an Orthodontist in Norton

No matter what type of treatment you choose, an orthodontist in Norton can give you (or your teen) a better smile. Far more than just looking better in photos, straighter teeth, healthier gums, and an aligned jaw makes it easier to keep up with dental hygiene at home, which can be the key to a lifetime of healthy teeth. At Hockenberger Orthodontics, we’re here to walk you through the options, so you can get started!

Are You a Good Candidate for Clear Aligners?

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Do you have one or more crooked teeth that you’re unhappy with? Clear aligners might be an option to consider. Our orthodontist in Norton, OH, at Hockenberger Orthodontics, can determine if this treatment is suitable for you based on a few factors.

Orthodontic Issue Severity

How severe are your bite or alignment problems? Clear aligners can’t always replace braces — they’re mainly used to correct moderate or mild orthodontic issues rather than severe ones.

Commitment to Wearing Clean Aligners

Do you mind having aligners in for 20 to 22 hours per day? That’s how long you’ll need to wear them to get the right results. If you don’t wear them that long, they won’t be able to help your teeth shift position.

Good Oral Health

Do you have healthy teeth and gums? If you have decay or other dental issues, we’ll need to address those before offering clear aligners as treatment.

Willing to Make Frequent Visits

Are you ok with coming to our office every so often throughout your treatment? That’s how often we’ll need to see you to check your progress and make adjustments if needed.

Willing to Maintain Results

Will you wear a retainer for several weeks to help your teeth stay aligned after finishing with your aligners? Are you ok with following our aftercare instructions for maintaining your results?

Visit Us for a Consultation About Clear Aligners!

Are you considering this orthodontic treatment for your teeth? Our orthodontist at Hockenberger Orthodontics can make sure that you’re a good candidate for clear aligners in Norton, OH. If not, we’re happy to discuss other options with you! Our goal is to help you achieve a beautiful smile!

Have You Considered Clear Aligners for Your Orthodontic Treatment?

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Orthodontic treatment offers many benefits, including proper tooth alignment, improved oral health, and a more attractive smile. Despite these benefits, some patients, especially adults, avoid wearing traditional braces with brackets and wires.

We understand these objections to wearing standard braces and have good news for patients who would rather not do so.Clear aligners in Norton, OH, offer all the same benefits as standard braces without wearing a mouth full of metal for two years or longer.

What Are Clear Aligners?

As the name suggests, clear aligners are see-through aligners that you wear on your top and bottom rows of teeth. Other people typically cannot see the aligners unless they are sitting or standing right by you. You can remove the clear aligners for special occasions, but we urge you not to do this often. Patients who wear their aligners for at least 22 hours a day have the best results and get through orthodontic treatment faster than those who frequently remove them. However, you do need to remove the aligners to eat, brush your teeth, and clean them.

The Treatment Process

Before you can wear your first aligner, Dr. Brian Hockenberger takes X-rays and creates impressions of your top and bottom rows of teeth, sending this information to our laboratory. Once the laboratory technicians have finished creating your customized aligners, you return to our office for a fitting. Dr. Hockenberger will adjust your aligner if necessary to make it more comfortable for you to wear.

We will send you home with a set of aligners. After you have worn the first one for two weeks, please discard it and replace it with the next one in the set.

Please contact us to schedule a consultation to learn more aboutclear aligners in Norton, OH.

Are Clear Braces the Right Orthodontic Treatment Option for You?

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People who need braces today have more options about how they choose to treat their orthodontic issues than they ever did in the past. Over the last several years, clear braces have emerged as a popular alternative to traditional metal braces. Although clear braces in Norton, OH, contain wires and brackets just as standard braces do, your braces aren’t as noticeable since they are clear and not metal.

Clear Braces Are Close to the Same Color as Your Teeth

The reason that clear braces are so much more discreet than metal braces is that both the brackets and wires are tooth-colored. You will view the different color shades before Dr. Hockenberger affixes the brackets and wires to your teeth, and then choose the one that is the closest match to your natural shade. These types of braces correct the same type of orthodontic issues as standard braces, including alignment issues, crowded or crooked teeth, overbites, and underbites.

Orthodontic manufacturers create brackets from ceramic materials and then frost the wires to match them. The one downside to consider is that you may need to wear braces for a slightly longer period since ceramic braces are not as strong as metal braces.

Other Considerations of Clear Braces

Since you can see food particles trapped in your braces more easily when they are clear, it is less challenging to care for your oral hygiene. You should avoid consuming dark-colored foods and beverages as much as possible while wearing clear braces to ensure they don’t stain the brackets or your teeth. The effects of smoking also show up more with clear braces, so plan to quit now if you smoke.

Please schedule a consultation with Hockenberger Orthodontics when you’re ready to learn more about clear braces in Norton, OH.

Can Clear Aligners Cause Decay?

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Have you been considering clear aligners in Norton, OH? If so, you may have already taken the initiative to get to know about this smile alignment treatment by asking around. Undeniably, this modern path to a straighter, more confident smile has its advantages for patients of all ages. However, you may have heard rumors that clear aligners cause tooth decay. Find out why this rumor has no truth behind it below.

So, do clear aligners mean higher cavity risks?

Clear aligners should never heighten your risk of cavities or decay. The key is to follow the orthodontist’s guidelines closely when it comes to changing the aligners and cleaning your teeth appropriately during treatment. Most clear aligners should be worn around 20 hours or more per day and should be taken off for cleaning your teeth and eating.

Why do people believe that clear aligners cause decay?

This rumor usually stems from individuals who either wear their aligners too much or while they are eating. Likewise, not following good dental hygiene practices can lead to decay, with or without the aligners, but aligners may heighten the risks of excess bacteria around the teeth. The only difference is, with aligners, if you are not brushing and flossing, excess bacteria can get trapped closer to your teeth for long periods of time.

How can you deter issues with excess bacteria during treatment?

Always clean your aligners between periods of wear and take the time to brush and floss as usual. After you are finished eating, brush your teeth, clean your aligner, and only then put the aligner back in place. Never slip your aligner back on without brushing. If you must because you are eating away from home, brush your teeth immediately once you get to a place you can.

Talk to a Norton Orthodontist for Advice

Do you believe you would be a good candidate for smile alignment with clear aligners? If so, talking to a Norton, OH orthodontist for advice is the best first step. Contact us at Hockenberger Orthodontics to schedule a consultation.

 

5 Benefits of Clear Aligners

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Clear aligners can take your dental health to new heights. While metal braces have always been used to straighten teeth and improve smiles, clear aligners are taking the industry by storm. Wondering how these dental devices can benefit your dental health? Keep reading to learn 5 advantages of choosing clear aligners.

Greater Comfort

Compared to standard braces, clear aligners are far more comfortable. Metal braces involve bulky wires and hard components, leading to pain and discomfort. Clear aligners, on the other hand, are clear plastic trays that simply pop over your teeth. While you may feel some slight pressure at first, this dental solution is much more comfortable!

Are you interested in clear aligners in Norton, OH? If so, make an appointment at Hockenberger Orthodontics today to get started!

Fewer Dental Visits

Whether you choose clear aligners or metal braces, both of these options involve multiple office visits. However, you’ll typically have to go more frequently with traditional braces. Your orthodontist has to occasionally tighten your metal wires in order to move your teeth.

Better Appearance

By choosing clear aligners, most people won’t even notice you’re wearing a dental device. As your teeth move, this allows you to show off your new and improved smile! Many patients experience more confidence and a better appearance when wearing clear aligners.

Effective Results

Clear aligners can also lead to a fantastic outcome! Most patients are extremely happy with the results. In a matter of months, your teeth will look fantastic! Clear aligners typically produce similar results compared to traditional braces.

Ability to Eat Normally

Standard metal braces restrict the types of foods you can eat. That said, you may have to adjust your diet and cut out your favorite foods. With clear aligners, you can still eat like normal! You simply pop off the plastic trays before taking a bite.

If you’re interested in clear aligners, contact Hockenberger Orthodontics today to work with a top dentist in Norton, OH!

What Are Clear Aligners? An FAQ  

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Are you hoping to get your teeth straightened, but don’t want braces? Visit your orthodontist in Norton, Wadsworth, and Akron, OH. At Hockenberger Orthodontics, we can answer your questions about clear aligners, and help you determine whether they can help you.

What are clear aligners?

Clear aligners are made of clear plastic. They fit over the teeth to gently shift the teeth into alignment. Clear aligners are used for patients who have misaligned teeth, crowded teeth and crooked teeth.

What are the benefits of clear aligners?

Aligners have many benefits including:

  • Easy to maintain. Clear aligners can be removed from the mouth, which means they’re easy to clean. To clean your aligners, simply take them out, clean them, and then put them back on.
  • Can be removed when eating. Although some foods could potentially damage clear aligners, they can be taken out for meal times. This means that wearers of clear aligners can eat whatever foods they want without concerns that their aligners will be damaged by their food choices.
  • Virtually invisible. Clear aligners are nearly invisible, so they can do their job without impacting your smile.
  • Effective at realigning teeth. Aligners are an effective tool that can be used to realign teeth.

How do clear aligners compare to standard braces?

Aligners and braces do the same job: they both help align teeth. However, aligners have many benefits that patients like. Compared to braces, they’re easy to maintain and so subtle they’re almost impossible to see.

Am I a good candidate for clear aligners?

Aligners aren’t right for every patient. To find out if you’re a good candidate for clear aligners in Norton, Wadsworth, and Akron, OH, talk to your dentist. Call today to make an appointment.