The first problem towards solving a problem is its identification. The fact that you are reading this page corroborates that you have identified your misaligned teeth. Kudos to you!

So are you ready to straighten your misaligned or crooked teeth? If the answer is yes, then you’re on the right track.

What are clear aligners?

Clear aligners are an alternative to traditional braces. They are transparent and are moulded into tray like shape. The material used to make clear aligners is a special amalgam of various substances. Clear aligners use consistent gentle forces on the teeth in order to create tension and achieve teeth movement in the desired direction.

Principal behind clear aligners

Clear aligners share their principle with other orthodontic treatments – creating consistent tension in the teeth in order to correct a host of predicaments, namely misaligned teeth, teeth gaps, overbites, underbites etc.

What are the steps involved in getting clear aligners for yourself?

There are number of steps involved in getting clear aligners. Before committing to the treatment, you must understand the process, pros and cons. These will be discussed in subsequent sections. Your dentist too shall discuss these with you before recommending a treatment plan. Visit Smileline orthodontic clinic today and speak to Dr. Suranjan Banerjee, one of the top dentist in Kolkata. Book your appointment now.

Following are the major steps involved in a clear aligner treatment program.

• Impressions – a digital impression of patient’s mouth is taken so that the aligners which are made after a perfect snug fit. Only the best dental braces clinic in Kolkatahave such modern equipment.
• Images – Clear aligners treatment is a continuous procedure for which an advance treatment plan needs to be devised. Therefore images are taken for records and to propose a treatment plan. Images are also taken at each subsequent visit after your first graft. This is done to check the improvement and prompt further action.
• Xrays – Xrays are taken to identify any sign of infection or complexity which might reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
• Making of 3-D models – The impressions are scanned to make a replica of the patients’ mouth. Aligners are then designed and 3-D printed according to this model. The material used is high quality thermoplastic.
• Quality Check – Before the aligners are handed over to the patient, they are quality checked for any defects.
• Number of sets – There are a number of sets of aligners produced for one patient. The number varies as per the treatment plan and severity of the misalignment. Normally there are 25-40 sets made for each patient. Each subsequent set of aligner exerts more pressure on teeth the preceding one. Each of the sets are designed to produce micro movements. The culmination of these micro movements bring out the desired overall movement of the teeth. The aligners should be worn between twenty and twenty two hours a hours and the patient should move to the next set after two weeks.

What are the difference between traditional braces and clear aligners?

The similarity between transitional braces and clear aligners end at their working principle and their objective. The differences are

• Traditional braces are highly noticeable whereas clear aligners are less conspicuous. Traditional braces are also not deemed attractive, both socially and professionally.
• Traditional braces are non removable appendages, which can only be removed by dentists. Clear aligners on the other hand are completely removable and people remove while eating, brushing and flossing.
• Maintenance of traditional braces is difficult since cleaning the braces of any food debris becomes an issue, whereas it is easy to continue good oral hygiene with clear aligners
• Traditional braces can cause abrasions in the mouth or teeth discolouration. Clear aligners are not known to cause these.
• Traditional braces generally take more time than clear aligners to align the teeth

What are the basic care routine that I need to maintain with my Aligners on? 

A detailed care instructions will be prescribed to you by your orthodontist depending upon your case. However, you must remember to check the following boxes when it comes to taking care of aligners.

• The aligners must be worn for atleast 20 hours a day in order to be effective
• It is recommended that the aligners be removed while eating, brushing and flossing. One must never eat anything hot with the aligners on.
• Aligners should be brushed the same way as our teeth. This makes sure that they are always clean.
• Aligners should be stored in their boxes to prevent contamination.

What are the post- process care that I need to take?

Good things last if taken care of. Your straightened set of teeth might go back to their original shape if you are careless with post-treatment tending.

• Use a retainer to maintain your smile and your straight teeth. Your orthodontist will tell you if you are in need of retainers.
• After completion of the treatment, the teeth remain oversensitive for a few days. During this time, it is inadvisable to eat crunchy or hard food. It is recommended that you give time to your teeth to adapt to this new position, before throwing any and everything their way.
• Maintain good oral hygiene. Your duty to brush your teeth twice a day and floss them regularly does not end with your treatment. You must continue these good habits to keep your mouth free from any oral infection or complications.
• Remember that your dentist is still your good friend. Just because you have got that perfect smile does not mean that you will forget your dentist. A timely visit once every 6 months will ensure longevity of your perfect smile.

How long does it take for aligners to work?

Every patient is different and the time for treatment will vary from patient to patient. It may take anywhere between 13 weeks to 2 years for complete treatment of a patient.

Are the results of aligner treatment permanent?

As mentioned earlier, the results of aligner treatment last as long as post-process care. Use retainers, maintain oral hygiene and visit your dentist to keep your results intact.

Are there any side-effects of Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners are made up of inert elements which do not react with the environment. Hence they are not known to cause any side-effects or allergies. There might be some discomfort and speech problems during the initial days though.

What is the cost of aligners?

Aligners are more expensive than traditional braces. However, they might help you in so many situations by being discreet and less conspicuous, that their price tag will appear justified.

What are the main advantages of Clear Aligners?

• Clear aligners are quite comfortable to wear. In the case that you feel irritation you can also take them out since they are removable.
• Since they are made of transparent materials, clear aligners are aesthetically more pleasing.
• Clear Aligners are convenient in every aspect, be it installation, maintenance or removal
• They require lesser visits to the dentist as you just swap a new set when the dentist prescribes you.

What are the disadvantages of Clear Aligners?

• Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of clear aligners is that they are expensive. They are like the perfect treatment option which everyone can not afford.
• There are some attachments that go along with the clear aligners. These attachments stick to the teeth as well as the aligners to provide a better fit. They can make the aligners more noticeable and bulky.
• The fact that you have to remove the aligners for eating and cleaning can be inconvenient for certain people.

What makes Smileline Orthodontics Clinic the best dental braces clinic in Kolkata?

• Ever since our inception, we have made a name for ourselves by working only with the top 10 dentists in Kolkata. Our constant endeavor is to erase two things – firstly, dental problems from life of patients and secondly, fear of dental procedures that most patients have. Some of our salient features are
• We are one of the few dental clinic in Kolkata to provide state of the art equipment. Our digital impressions are the most accurate and our aligners uses high quality thermoplastics.
• We observe 100% transparency about prices with our treatment. There are no hidden costs and patients pay what they have been quoted for
• Suranjan Banerjee is known to be a top dentist in Kolkata
• We enjoy an extremely high success rate of 100% with all our procedures. There are no postoperative complications, which is reflected in the happy faces of our patients.
• We maintain the highest sanitization level and all our apparatus are cleaned and sanitized after every procedure.
• Our clear aligners are of the highest quality and are completely sterile. They will never cause infection.
• Our cordial staff make sure that you enter and leave the clinic with a smile on your face
• So, if your question reads that where is the best dentist in Kolkata near me. The answer is always “at Smileline Orthodontic Clinic.”