ClearCorrect™ clear aligners—which look very similar to teeth whitening trays—are a new, subtle form of bite correction. They let you avoid the metallic look of traditional braces & you can remove them whenever you need to!

In addition to your overall oral health, our office is committed to giving you a beautiful smile that you can be proud of. For many people, a straight set of teeth is a cornerstone of self-confidence. We understand that straightening your teeth with traditional metal braces can seem like a daunting & unappealing way to get a nicer smile, which is why we have decided to offer more attractive alternatives to patients with mild to moderate orthodontic cases.

What Is ClearCorrect™?

ClearCorrect™ works by using a series of aligners that push crooked teeth into place. The dentist will take an impression of your teeth & send it off to a lab where your individualized aligners are made. You only wear each set for a few weeks & you’ll get new pairs of aligners at every checkup appointment.

ClearCorrect™ has three options for your orthodontic treatment:

• Limited 6 (six aligners to complete treatment)
• Limited 12 (12 aligners to complete treatment)
• Unlimited (as many aligners as necessary)

Each pair of aligners will take you closer to your cosmetic goals. For most patients, it takes about a year on average to get their desired smile. Your dentist or orthodontist can tell you the approximate length of your treatment before you get started. It all depends on how complex your individual case is.

ClearCorrect™ vs. Other Clear Aligners

ClearCorrect™ has a couple of advantages over other brands of clear aligners. ClearCorrect™ aligners extend over the gum line, which helps apply more force with greater leverage. This means they require fewer engagers & are therefore less intrusive than other systems. ClearCorrect™ also offers “limited” treatment options, which can treat simple cases more affordably than other systems. Other than these differences, ClearCorrect™ & other brands of clear orthodontics are virtually the same in form & function.

Procedure Overview

Some stubborn teeth have a harder time shifting & need extra help. A ClearCorrect™ engager (also known as an attachment) is a small bump of bonding resin that we can temporarily put on a tooth to help the aligner make contact. Better aligner contact puts more pressure on the tooth, ensuring it will shift with the rest of your teeth.

When placing engagers, we adhere to a conservative process with a focus on maintaining your smile’s aesthetics. We use a tooth-colored material that blends with your smile & that is easily removable without shots or drilling.

To ensure the greatest possible result for your new smile & to avoid a prolonged & more costly process, you need to wear your clear aligners for most of the day, including when you sleep. Dentists recommend wearing your ClearCorrect™ aligners for around 22 hours a day. The only times you should take them off are to eat, drink, brush or floss. You can also remove them for special occasions, but you need to keep track of how long you have your aligners off & make sure you remember to put them back on! The convenience of removable orthodontics can be a blessing, but it won’t do you any good if you don’t stay on top of your treatment.

Call us today to find out if ClearCorrect™ is the smile solution you’ve been looking for!

Invisalign® is a form of orthodontic treatment that works to correct many different types of malocclusions through the use of a series of clear plastic trays called aligners. As a more discreet, comfortable and completely removable method of care, Invisalign aligners provide an effective alternative to traditional orthodontic braces and metal wires for certain types of malocclusions.

Developed by a team of Stanford University students, the advanced 3D imaging, modeling, and aligner technology that defines the Invisalign system of care was introduced to the public in the year 2000. Since that time, it has become an extremely popular option in care.

Invisalign uses advanced 3-D computer imaging technology to formulate a sequence of custom-made clear aligners. The aligners, each of which is worn for a couple of weeks, incrementally move the teeth into place until the final desired corrections are reached. The advantage and appeal of the Invisalign method are that the clear aligners are more cosmetic, comfortable and convenient than other orthodontic appliances and operate with minimal interference to daily activities. Invisalign allows teens and adults to enjoy eating all of their favorite foods, and engage in sports without the fear of breaking their orthodontic appliances or sharp poking wires. Moreover, as the aligners are completely removable, tooth brushing and flossing are much easier as there is no need to clean in between any attached orthodontic brackets or wires.

The Invisalign Difference

Aside from being clear and far less noticeable than metal braces, Invisalign aligners are also removable. This characteristic offers two distinct advantages. First, you’ll be able to enjoy all the foods that you typically eat. With metal brackets and wires, you’d have to be careful and even eliminate certain foods such as popcorn, carrot sticks, hard pretzels and chew candy. These can break a bracket or dislodge a wire.

In addition, having removable braces means that you’ll be able to maintain your regular oral hygiene routine at home. Brushing and flossing without braces getting in the way means that you’ll be able to clean your teeth and gums better, thus reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease during your orthodontic treatment. Of course, you’ll still need to see South Bradenton Dental Care for six-month checkups, but these can be scheduled to coincide with your orthodontic visit to save you time.

Receiving Invisalign

The path to your new, straight smile begins with a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. Our team will make sure your mouth is healthy before you begin to wear your clear braces. Then, your treatment plan is developed based on information gathered from x-rays and photographs of your mouth as well as impressions of your bite. The Invisalign lab fabricates your customized aligners and sends them to our office.
Although your Invisalign braces are removable, you’ll need to be diligent about wearing them. Completing your orthodontic treatment on schedule requires having the aligners in place for at least 22 hours every day. Worn properly, you can look forward to a straight smile in about 12 to 24 months.