Clear Aligner Therapy

Beautifully aligned teeth can enhance the appearance of your smile. But did you know that a straight smile actually improves oral health and function as well? Our dentists at Magic Smiles understand the importance of high-quality orthodontic treatment. That’s why we offer clear aligner therapy at our Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga locations.

Many patients want the benefits of orthodontic treatment but don’t want to wear traditional metal braces. Clear aligner therapy is a discreet alternative to conventional orthodontics. Instead of metal components like brackets, bands, and wires, this method straightens the teeth using a series of clear thermoplastic aligners.

How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Clear aligners are designed to be worn about 22 hours every day. If they aren’t worn often enough, treatment time can last much longer than intended. Therefore, it’s important to follow the guidelines recommended by your dentist.

Each set of aligner trays is made to shift your teeth into their proper positions gradually over time. Most patients wear the first set for about two weeks, then switch them out for the next set in the series – and so on. Every time the trays are switched out, your teeth will move further into alignment.

woman holding invisalign
invisalign close up

Benefits of Clear Aligner Therapy

Clear aligners boast a number of advantages over traditional orthodontics. For instance, clear aligner therapy is:

  • Discreet: Because the trays are fabricated from clear thermoplastic materials, they are barely noticeable. In fact, most people will never know that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Patients who choose clear aligners can smile confidently.
  • Comfortable: With clear aligner therapy, there are no wires or brackets that can poke, scratch, or irritate the soft tissues. Some patients notice slight tenderness when they first switch to a new set of trays, but this side effect diminishes quickly.
  • Convenient: Because aligner trays are removable, patients who undergo this treatment do not have any dietary restrictions. Furthermore, you can brush and floss normally, without having to clean around brackets, bands, and wires.

Am I a Candidate?

Millions of patients have taken advantage of clear aligner therapy. Due to its advanced technology, the clear aligner system can address most of the same issues as traditional metal braces, including:

  • Overbites: This condition is characterized by upper teeth that project too far forward.
  • Underbites: When the lower teeth stick out further than the upper teeth, it’s called an underbite.
  • Crossbites: If the upper teeth overlap the lowers on one side, but the lower teeth overlap the uppers on the other side, it’s called a crossbite. Clear aligner therapy can address this type of horizontal misalignment.
  • Open bites: An open bite is present if the front teeth do not come together when biting down on the back teeth.
  • Gapped teeth: Gaps or spaces in the smile can easily be corrected with clear aligner therapy.
  • Crowded teeth: Overlapped or crowded teeth make it difficult to brush and floss effectively. Clear aligners can address this problem.

Some patients may not be eligible for clear aligner therapy. Candidacy depends on several different factors, including the severity and complexity of your case. Furthermore, if orthodontic misalignment is the result of skeletal discrepancies, oral surgery may be necessary in conjunction with traditional orthodontic treatment.

Invisalign in case

Treatment Timeline

Many patients want to know how long clear aligner therapy takes. In most instances, this type of treatment takes about the same amount of time as traditional braces. On average, most patients can complete their treatment in 12 to 18 months.

While in the active treatment phase, patients will need to visit the dentist every four to six weeks to ensure the teeth are moving as expected. Once treatment is complete, a retainer is necessary to prevent the teeth from shifting into their old positions.

person holding invisalign

Maintaining Your Aligner Trays

To keep your treatment on track and your trays clean, proper maintenance is required. Here are a few tips for cleaning your clear aligners:

  • Rinse your aligners under lukewarm water anytime you remove them.
  • Soak your aligners in a cleansing solution every day.
  • Clean your aligners every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear antibacterial soap.
  • Avoid using toothpaste to clean your trays, as many formulas have harsh abrasives that can damage the thermoplastic material.
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once daily.

Schedule Your Consultation with Magic Smiles Today

If you desire a straighter smile but don’t want to wear metal braces, clear aligner therapy could be an option for you. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation at Magic Smiles, call one of our three convenient office locations or contact us online anytime.

Coffs Harbour

176 Pacific Hwy, Suite 2
Coffs Harbour
NSW 2450
P: (02) 6652-3242
[email protected]
Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm
Sat: 9am to 12:30pm by appointment
Sun: Closed

    Woolgoolga

    43 Beach Street
    Woolgoolga
    NSW 2456
    P: (02) 6654-0650
    [email protected]
    Mon – Fri: 9am to 5pm
    Sat: Closed
    Sun: Closed