Short answer: Before starting clear aligner treatment, your oral and gum health needs to be assessed, you need to be ready to wear the aligners for many hours a day, you need to be able to attend check-ups regularly, and you need to know that the retention period after treatment is part of the plan. The list below gathers the topics you can ask yourself before going to the examination.
1. Are your mouth and gums ready?
Orthodontic movement is planned on a healthy foundation. At the examination, decay, gum inflammation, missing teeth and old fillings or crowns are assessed together. In some cases, preparatory procedures such as gum treatment or fillings may be needed before treatment starts.
- Have you had gum bleeding recently?
- Could you have untreated cavities?
- Do you have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth? On this subject you can look at our page on bruxism and clear aligners.
2. Can you keep to the daily wear routine?
Because clear aligners are removable, the progress of treatment depends largely on how you use them. Aligners are generally worn for about 22 hours a day; they are taken out only for eating, drinking (other than water) and brushing the teeth. For details you can look at our article how many hours a day should clear aligners be worn.
- Does your meal routine in your work and social life suit taking the aligners out and putting them in?
- Can you carry the aligner case with you?
- Do you have a habit of frequent snacking or drinking hot drinks all day? The article what you can eat and drink with clear aligners covers this subject.
3. What additional procedures may there be in treatment?
Every plan is different; however, in some cases the following may come up:
- Attachments: Small, tooth-coloured bumps bonded to the teeth. For information you can look at the article attachments in clear aligners.
- IPR: Very fine reduction made to create space between the teeth. Details are in the article what is IPR.
- Elastics: Additional elements used to adjust the bite.
Whether these are needed becomes clear after the examination and digital planning.
4. How do aligner changes and the check-up schedule work?
Aligners are replaced with new ones at set intervals; the interval is determined according to the dentist’s plan (aligner change schedule). Check-ups are to see whether treatment is progressing as planned. If you are coming from out of town, you can find how check-ups can be planned on the page for patients coming from out of town.
5. What might you feel in the first days?
When you move on to a new aligner, pressure or sensitivity may be felt in the teeth; there can also be a short adjustment period in speech. In most people these feelings decrease in a few days. To review your expectations, you can look at the article do clear aligners hurt.
6. What happens when treatment ends?
After the teeth are aligned, the retention (retainer) period begins so that they become stable where they are. This period is a continuation of treatment, and skipping it can cause the teeth to shift again. You can find general information on our page on retention treatment.
7. Are clear aligners suitable for every situation?
Clear aligners can be used for many cases of crowding, spacing and mild to moderate bite problems; however, they may not be suitable for every case. Jaw structure, the amount of tooth movement and your expectations are assessed together. For the general framework, you can look at our article is clear aligner treatment right for you.
A short list to take to the examination
- Information on dental treatments you have had before
- Notes on the medication you use and your state of health
- Your expectations of treatment, and any important date if you have one
- Questions you want to ask the dentist
8. How should you approach the subject of cost and planning?
Once the treatment plan has been determined, the stages of the process, the number of check-ups and payment terms are discussed with the dentist and the clinic team. Having this conversation after the plan has become clear prevents wrong expectations from forming. For general information, you can look at the page on what treatment planning depends on.
9. Make your expectations clear
A digital simulation shows the planned movement of the teeth; however, this is a prediction and actual progress can vary from person to person. During treatment, the plan can be updated at check-ups if necessary. For this reason it is useful to look for an answer not only to the question “when will it finish” but also to “what kind of interim adjustments might there be”.
- If you have an important date, be sure to mention it at the examination. The page on planning before an important date can guide you on this.
- If you travel often, ask the dentist about spare aligners and a check-up plan. General recommendations are on the page clear aligners while travelling.
- If you are fasting or in a special diet period, you can read how aligner wear can be planned on the page clear aligners during Ramadan.
It is possible to go through all of these topics one by one at the first consultation; the list should be thought of as a reminder so that you do not miss anything.
Frequently asked questions
Is gum treatment needed to start clear aligners?
This depends on the oral examination. If gum health is not suitable, the dentist may ask for this to be dealt with before orthodontic treatment.
What happens if I forget my aligners?
Not wearing the aligners for a long time can slow the progress of treatment. In such a case it is appropriate to inform your dentist and ask how the plan will continue.
Can the treatment time be known from the start?
Digital planning offers a prediction; however, the actual time can vary according to the response of the teeth and the wear routine. For the factors that affect the time, you can look at the article how long does orthodontic treatment take.
How do you find out what suits you?
The information here is general; the right plan for you is determined by an examination and the dentist’s assessment. At our clinic in Oran, Çankaya, Ankara, we go through your questions together during the first orthodontic examination.
