About Clear Aligners

Next Generation, Virtually Invisible Aligners

Dr. Meagan is a certified Invisalign and 3M Clarity Aligner provider. This means that when you’re seen at Silver Smiles, you’re being evaluated by a true expert on the subject of clear aligners in Atlanta, who knows what it takes to achieve the best results. Invisalign is a great alternative to braces. So, what is it exactly? It’s a revolutionary system that utilizes 3D computer graphics to design and manufacture customized clear appliances called “aligners.” When you start clear aligner treatment, you’ll get a series of clear aligners custom-made for your smile. You’ll follow Dr. Meagan’s treatment plan and wear each aligner for the specific amount of time recommended. Then, approximately every week, you’ll switch out your aligners to your next set, gradually moving your smile into its proper alignment.

It’s important to note that in order for Invisalign to work, you have to commit to wearing your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. The only time you would remove your aligners would be when you’re eating, drinking anything other than clear water, or brushing your teeth. If this doesn’t seem like something you would be able to stick with, Invisalign or 3M Clarity Aligners may not be right for your smile.

Contact us for a free consultation to find out if clear aligners are right for you.

Caring For Your Aligners

Congratulations on your decision to straighten your smile! If you ever have any questions about how to best care for your aligners, please contact our team.

Recommendations

  • Wear your aligners for 20-22 hours/day.
  • Remove your aligners when eating or drinking anything other than water.
  • Rinse or brush your teeth before reusing or replacing your aligners. Anything with sugar can cause decay, and anything with color will cause stains.
  • When your aligner is not in your mouth, make sure it is in your case.
  • You might break or lose an aligner during treatment. If you do, switch to the next aligner in your series and continue to wear it until you were originally supposed to switch that tray. If the next tray does not fit, call the office.
  • If your aligner remains tight after wearing it for seven days, continue to wear it for an additional seven days until it is no longer tight. If your tray is still tight after wearing it for two weeks, call the office for an appointment.
  • It is recommended that you clean your aligners with soap and cold water and a toothbrush.

Attachments

Attachments are necessary to perfect your smile. Attachments can feel rough when they are first placed but will smooth out quickly. If you lose one to two attachments, we can replace those at your next appointment. If you lose more than two, please call the office so they can be replaced.

Special Occasions

Aligners give you the flexibility to straighten your teeth on your own time. If you have a special occasion, you can always wear your aligners at night only, as you do with a retainer. If you miss some days wearing your aligner, please continue to wear your current aligner until it is no longer tight, then proceed with wearing trays weekly from there. Attachments can be removed for major events, like weddings or auditions.

Clear Aligners For Kids

About Invisalign First

Invisalign is a set of transparent, removable aligners that are developed using 3D imaging technology to map out your teeth’s precise motions. By exchanging one pair of aligners for the next in the treatment plan, as you go along, your teeth will be gradually shifted into place. Phase 1 treatment, also known as Invisalign First, involves the use of orthodontic equipment to guide the growth of a patient’s jaw and support the emergence of adult teeth. This is typically implemented around ages 6 to 10.

When a child or teen needs a more complicated orthodontic treatment plan for optimal jaw and teeth alignment, phase one of the two-phase treatment plan is implemented.

Contact us right away to request a free consultation if you’re interested in learning more about whether or not your child qualifies for Invisalign First in Atlanta or Snellville, GA.

Is My Child A Candidate For Clear Aligner Treatment?

It is strongly recommended that you schedule a free consultation with our knowledgeable orthodontist, Dr. Meagan, to find out whether your child is a candidate for clear aligners in Atlanta or Snellville, GA. She will go over your child’s dental history, x-rays, and hygiene habits during this appointment.

Since clear aligners are removable, it’s essential that you take into account your child’s oral hygiene habits and how well they maintain them. When wearing aligners, your child should wear them for at least 22 hours each day, wash them after each use, and practice good dental hygiene habits, including brushing, flossing, and seeing a dentist regularly.

In general, you may check for the following indicators to evaluate whether your child would be a good fit:

    • The eruption of their adult teeth has begun
    • Overbite, underbite, crowding, and other mild to moderate alignment difficulties are present
    • They consistently practice good dental hygiene
    • Most of their baby teeth have fallen out

If it is determined that aligners are the best orthodontic treatment for your kid, we will develop a unique plan to achieve the best potential outcomes. In addition to Invisalign, we also offer 3M aligners to suit our patient’s preferences.

Request a free consultation today to learn more about clear aligners for kids in Atlanta and Snellville, GA.

Clear Aligners For Teens

Why Teens Love Clear Aligners

Teens can improve their self-esteem and avoid feeling insecure about their teeth when they use clear aligners in Atlanta and Snellville, GA. Teens can straighten their teeth and improve their smiles using aligners without anybody noticing. Invisalign and 3M aligners’ ease of use and adaptability to busy schedules are especially advantageous for teenagers.

In addition, the method may be incorporated into a hectic schedule with minimal effort because it does not call for regular alterations. This means they won’t have to miss school or extracurricular activities for their orthodontic appointments. Clear aligners are quickly becoming the go-to choice for today’s teens seeking an improved smile without hindering other aspects of their lives due to their adaptable design, exceptional success rates, and decrease in treatment time length as compared to traditional systems.

If you are interested in trying Invisalign for your teen in Atlanta or Snellville, GA, contact Silver Smiles Orthodontics to request a free consultation.

Clear Aligners For Adults

It’s Never Too Late To Achieve A Beautiful Smile

It’s a common misconception that aligners are for teens or children, but there are plenty of benefits to seeking orthodontic care as an adult. It’s well worth the time and effort to create a smile that makes you feel your best in every photo and social situation. Your oral hygiene will greatly benefit from having your teeth straightened, and your self-esteem will soar as a result of your newly radiant grin.

In addition, if you’re having any of the following orthodontic concerns, clear aligners may be the answer you’ve been looking for:

    • Teeth that are crowded or crooked
    • Constant discomfort in the jaw
    • Gaps or spacing issues
    • Overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite

Choosing to fix these problems and move on with straightening your teeth and improving your oral health is a major step. You can trust that you will get the best possible care and clear aligner treatments in Atlanta and Snellville, GA, from Dr. Sturm and the team at Silver Smile Orthodontics.

Benefits of Orthodontics For Adults Using Invisalign

Convenience

One of the most significant advantages of clear aligners is that they are far more convenient than conventional treatment options. When you get traditional braces from our practice, you’ll need to come in for adjustments more frequently. With clear aligners, you change to a new set of aligners around once every two weeks – no appointments necessary. This makes it much simpler to stick to your treatments, and you spend less time in the office for appointments and missing work.

Comfort

Clear aligners are comfortable to use since they are constructed of soft, flexible plastic that won’t cut or scratch your mouth. Since there will be no pain or discomfort associated with wearing your aligners, you can go about your normal routine. Plus, because they can be taken out, you can continue eating anything you choose without fear of damaging your appliance.

Appearance

Finally, Invisalign and 3M aligners’ almost invisible appearance is a major selling point. Since the aligners are transparent, no one will even notice that you’re wearing them. If you want straighter teeth but don’t want to stand out, Invisalign is a terrific option. In addition, because they are removable, you may take them out whenever you need to brush, meaning better oral hygiene.

It’s never too late to prioritize your smile and dental health; contact our office to request a free consultation and learn more about clear aligners for adults. We offer convenient locations in Atlanta and Snellville, GA.

Clear Aligners FAQ

As with other types of orthodontic treatment, the cost of Invisalign® or 3M Clear Aligners depends on the complexity of a patient’s case. The cost is generally slightly more expensive than traditional braces. If you’re curious as to how much clear aligners may cost for you, schedule your free consultation – there’s no charge and no obligation, either. And if you’re worried about cost, don’t stress. We have a number of payment plans that will make your budget smile, too.

Oh, yeah! Clear aligners really do work. In fact, in both clinical research and in orthodontic and dental practices nationwide, Invisalign has been proven effective at straightening teeth. The key is to make sure that you wear your clear aligners for at least 20 hours a day and only take them out when you’re eating, drinking, or brushing and flossing your teeth. If you don’t wear your aligners as recommended, your treatment will take a lot longer.

Because medical benefits differ significantly from policy to policy, each patient should review their coverage. However, if a patient has orthodontic coverage, Invisalign and 3M Clear Aligners should be covered to the same extent as conventional braces. Our team will be happy to work with you on submitting to insurance so you receive any available benefits.

Like brackets and archwires, Invisalign Aligners move teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force on the teeth. The principal difference is that Invisalign not only controls forces but also controls the timing of the force application. At each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move, and these movements are determined by the orthodontic treatment plan for that particular stage. This results in an efficient force delivery system.

Orthodontists can use Invisalign or 3M Clear Aligners to treat a vast majority of patients with fully-erupted molars.

Interested in seeing if clear aligners are right for you or your child? Request a free consultation with our team today.