The 4 Easy Steps of Transforming Your Smile with Clear Aligner Therapy

rooked or overcrowded teeth cause more than cosmetic concerns—they affect your oral health, too. Misaligned teeth create “trouble spots” in your mouth, complicating your oral hygiene. These hard-to-reach areas become hotspots for tooth decay and infections. That’s not all! Misaligned teeth and bite increase the risk of health complications like bruxism and TMJ disorder (TMD).

Have you had enough of your crooked smile? It’s time to perfect your smile with clear aligners using the following easy steps.

1. Consultation: Your initial step is to arrange a consultation with Dr. Fritz. During this appointment, the doctor will assess your teeth, bite, and overall health using digital scans and X-rays to determine your eligibility for clear aligners. Any issues, such as tooth decay or gum disease, must be addressed before treatment can begin. Additionally, we will discuss your treatment goals and expectations to develop a personalized plan. We don’t use templates; instead, we rebuild your smile from scratch to create a grin that is uniquely YOURS.
2. Digital scans: The next step is taking digital scans of your smile using a handheld intraoral scanner. Unlike goop-based impressions, digital scanning creates a 3D model of your smile within minutes without biting into gooey substances. Clear aligner therapy uses sophisticated technology to predict your treatment even before the actual process starts. This way, we can predict when and how each tooth moves until you complete treatment. 
3. Creating your aligners: Once we preview your smile, we’ll send your digital impressions to a dental lab to fabricate your customized aligners. Most patients need 18-30 aligners, although this differs from case to case. Unlike braces, there are no brackets to tighten. Instead, you’ll switch to the next set of aligners every two weeks as your teeth move gradually into place. While removable, clear aligners must be worn at least 20-22 hours daily. You should only take them out when cleaning your teeth or eating.100
4. The final reveal: The average treatment period for clear aligners is usually 9-18 months, although your dentist will provide a specific timeline after evaluating your case. After your treatment, your teeth will look perfect—all the crookedness, overcrowding, and unwanted gaps will be no more. Since you’ll want to preserve these results forever, we’ll give you a retainer to prevent your teeth from relapsing. 

Clear aligners are hard to spot. They allow you to discreetly align your smile without drawing unnecessary attention. What does this mean for you? If you are an adult or a busy executive, there is always time to align your smile. Clear aligners accommodate your everyday life, allowing you to perfect your smile, regardless of age.