Do you ever dream about having a perfectly straight, beautiful smile? You are not alone. Millions of Americans want to have straight teeth, but the fact is that most people do not have a straight smile. Teeth press against each other, crowd together, and misalign in most cases during developmental stages. Traditionally, the way to achieve a set of perfectly straight teeth is to get braces. The treatment, however, is unappealing to most adults, as they do not want to deal with metal wires or brackets. The dental office of Donald M. Marks, DMD offers an alternative to braces in the form of ClearCorrect for State College, PA dental patients.
Dr. Marks is dedicated to helping patients achieve their dental goals. With their handpicked team of trained experts, the doctors provide unmatched care for every patient that comes into the dental office. We understand that most adults do not want to deal with the wires and aesthetics of traditional braces, which is why we offer ClearCorrect, which are personalized, clear aligners that fit perfectly around your teeth. Because they are clear, they allow you to keep the appearance of your natural smile intact. Since the sets of aligners are removable, you can continue eating your favorite meals, brush your teeth, etc.
After you schedule a consultation with our amazing team, we will discuss ClearCorrect and if it is the right choice for you. If both parties agree to proceed, we will take impressions or X-rays of your teeth. The impressions and X-rays are then sent to a certified ClearCorrect laboratory, where professionals will mold your customized sets of aligners. After approximately two weeks, your aligners will arrive at our dental office, and we will schedule a follow-up appointment. When you arrive, we will present the aligners and tell you which set to start with. You will begin with a specific set, wear them for a specified amount of time, and then switch to the next set in the treatment. Over time, the aligners will slowly nudge your teeth in the proper position.
Are you excited to straighten your teeth with discreet clear aligners? Many patients choose ClearCorrect in State College because it’s a completely customizable orthodontic treatment that offers countless benefits. For your convenience, we’ve answered some common questions we receive from patients below.
While it’s fairly common to feel some tenderness and discomfort for the first day or two of wearing new aligners, this will subside and can be easily handled. The more you wear your trays, the more comfortable and natural they’ll feel in your mouth. Because they’re made from a smooth plastic that’s custom-fitted to your unique oral structure, you won’t have to worry about oral wounds, irritation, or cuts, like you would with metal braces.
The best way to ease your discomfort during your adjustment period is to either switch to your new pair of trays at night to sleep through most of it, or you can take over-the-counter pain medication. Either way, your mouth should begin to feel back-to-normal in a matter of only a few days.
Because your clear aligners in State College will be removable, they’ll be fairly easy to keep clean and sanitized. It’s important to regularly soak and brush them to prevent oral health problems like cavities and gum disease from developing during your treatment. Here are some basic maintenance tips:
Depending on the goals you have for your treatment that you set with your dentist in State College, your treatment time can vary. To stay on-track with what you discussed during your initial consultation, you’ll need to be diligent about wearing your aligners, not missing appointments, and keeping up with your dental hygiene.
To achieve long-lasting and effective results, you’ll need to wear your aligners for 22 hours every day. That means that the only times you’ll be taking them out of your mouth are to eat, brush and floss, and when you drink anything besides water. Before each time you re-insert your trays, you’ll need to rinse them under lukewarm water. When you’re not diligent about keeping your aligners in your mouth, it’ll likely set your treatment timeline back, which can be frustrating.