With how bulky and uncomfortable traditional metal braces can be in your mouth, it’s no wonder patients seeking orthodontic treatment often prefer clear aligners to straighten their smiles. Since Invisalign, a popular clear aligner brand, was approved by the FDA in 2000, there have been numerous clear aligner solutions to choose from. So which orthodontic treatment is right for you? At Aesthetic Dental, we use ArchForm aligners, an Invisalign alternative that we believe is the best way to straighten your smile. These smooth plastic trays offer a faster, more comfortable treatment at a lower price!
Understanding Invisalign Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are a series of custom-fitted trays that straighten your teeth discreetly. These trays are designed with your smile in mind, fitting perfectly against the contours of your teeth.
Unlike traditional metal braces, clear aligners are removable. Every week or two (depending on your treatment plan), you will remove your aligners to switch to a new tray further along in the series.
Throughout your treatment, we recommend wearing your trays for at least 22 hours a day. While you should remove them to eat and brush your teeth, keep them in as much as possible to accelerate your orthodontic process.
Invisalign is a well-known brand of clear aligners. However, these aligners can be expensive and offer limited flexibility in treatment planning.
At Aesthetic Dental, we want to use the best technology for our patients. Because everyone’s smile is so unique, we prefer to design your treatment ourselves to fit your needs!
An Invisalign Alternative: ArchForm Aligners
Aesthetic Dental uses ArchForm clear aligners. These thin plastic trays are as high-quality as Invisalign, but with some important benefits.
When planning your treatment, we don’t need to rely on lab technicians for approval. Instead, our experienced doctors can assess your smile and plan treatment to meet your needs.
Then, with a treatment plan in place, we’ll fabricate your trays in our own office! Without the need to wait for lab approval and fabrication, we can send you home with your first set of aligners the same day we plan your case.
Additionally, Invisalign is typically more expensive than ArchForm aligners. This higher cost is partially due to the name brand, but also because of their dental lab. At Aesthetic Dental, we use ArchForm 3D printing technology to create your trays in-house. This saves patients both time and money, as you don’t have to wait weeks to begin your aligner process.
The Clear Aligner Process
The clear aligner process is relatively simple and much faster than traditional metal braces.
1 Free Consultation
At Aesthetic Dental, we begin our treatments with a free consultation.
There, we will assess your smile and discuss your needs. While patients of any age are eligible for clear aligner treatment, they must also have healthy teeth. If you have any signs of gum disease or tooth decay, we’ll need to treat those before beginning your process.
2. Treatment Planning
Once we determine you’re eligible for treatment, we’ll create a custom treatment plan for your smile. This involves taking impressions of your smile and designing a series of trays to gradually move your teeth into the right position.
With clear aligner treatment, we can correct gaps, overlaps, misalignments, overbites, and underbites. Depending on your needs, the treatment can go on for anywhere from 6 months to 18!
3. Aligner Fabrication
Once your treatment plan is designed, we begin fabricating your aligners.
Using ArchForm clear aligners as an alternative to Invisalign, we can craft your clear plastic trays in-house with state-of-the-art 3D printing technology. These machines create custom trays that fit perfectly in your mouth, adjusting to every contour of your smile.
That very same day, we can send you home with your first tray in the series of aligners so you can begin treatment immediately.
4. Treatment
For the duration of your orthodontic treatment, be sure to wear your clear aligners as much as possible. To stay on course with your treatment plan, we recommend wearing them for no less than 22 hours a day.
While eating, you can remove your trays to enjoy all the foods you love. However, be sure to brush your teeth after eating and rinse off your aligners before putting them back in your mouth.
Your treatment duration largely depends on the complexity of your case and how well you comply with wearing your clear trays. Be sure to check in with your dentist regularly to receive the new tray in the series and ensure your treatment is on track.
5. Final Results
Once your teeth are perfectly in place, you can stop wearing your clear aligners. Instead, you’ll switch to a retainer! For the first 3 months after your orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to wear your retainer at all times.
Then, once your teeth have started to settle, you can switch to only wearing your retainer at night, and enjoy a beautifully uniform smile!
Find an Affordable Invisalign Alternative in Southfield, MI
Traditional dentures aren’t as comfortable and quick as clear aligner treatment. But which aligner brand should you go with? At Aesthetic Dental, we recommend ArchForm! This Invisalign alternative allows us to plan and customize your treatment ourselves at a more affordable price! If you’re looking to straighten your smile affordably in Southfield, MI, and the surrounding areas, visit Aesthetic Dental for a free consultation!
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