Clear Aligners In Mobile, AL For Kids, Teens & Adults

About Clear Aligners

What are Aligners?

When most people think of the types of techniques used to correct a crooked smile, gaps between teeth, or other dental-related issues, they usually call to mind images of the exact same thing: traditional braces. 

When someone wears traditional braces, small metal brackets are attached to each of their teeth. A thin metal wire is then used to connect all of those brackets together, and the tightness of that wire gently moves the teeth into their desired position over time. Most people wear braces for about two years, although that depends greatly on the specific situation.

Clear aligners, however, are something totally different. The end result is the same – you get that perfect smile you’ve always wanted – but the journey to get to that end result is something new.

With aligners, patients wear a series of clear plastic aligner trays. Every few weeks, they swap out one set of trays for another, and that is ultimately what moves the teeth from one position to another.

The major benefit of this, of course, is a brace-free smile. Even though traditional braces technology has come a long way over the last decade, you can still unquestionably tell when someone is wearing them. Not so for clear aligners, which are clear and thus the most discreet way to correct your teeth available on the market today.

Another major benefit of clear aligners is that the trays themselves can be removed – meaning that there are no dietary restrictions or other lifestyle changes to worry about. A lot of people also love the fact that they are far more comfortable to wear, thus leading to something of a perfect storm in the best possible way.

The Technology Behind Clear Aligners

Although aligners themselves are inherently straightforward, the technology at the heart of it all is anything but.

After careful measurements are taken of a person’s teeth, the clear plastic aligner trays used in Invisalign are actually 3D printed – thus acting as something of a “second skin” for the patient’s teeth.

The technique used to take measurements is very precise, which means that it all takes a very detailed image of the teeth. This means that not only are the trays themselves incredibly comfortable, but the smile that you’ll get when the process is complete is something you get to see BEFORE it actually begins – allowing you to confirm beyond the shadow of a doubt that the whole process will be more than worth it.

Benefits of Clear Aligners

Invisalign itself brings with it a wide range of benefits that cannot be ignored. Chief among them is that the trays are flexible – meaning that they can be removed during special occasions like picture day at school, for example.

Clear aligners also bring with them far fewer visits to the orthodontic office, as well as less time for each appointment. Any adjustments that need to be made are made to the trays, not to brackets and wires – so all told, you’ll probably be in and out in 15 minutes or less.

Finally, it’s far easier to maintain dental hygiene throughout treatment. All you have to do is pop your aligners out, brush your teeth, floss your teeth, then brush the aligners. After that, you can pop them right back in and continue to enjoy that comfortable, stylish brace-free smile that you’ve come to know and love. It really doesn’t get much more straightforward than that.

uLab Clear Aligners

uLab Aligners are an innovative orthodontic solution designed to straighten teeth and enhance smiles effectively and efficiently. These high-quality aligners are created in-house using advanced 3D printing technology and state-of-the-art materials to ensure a comfortable and precise fit for our patients. One of the remarkable features of uLab Aligners is their customizability, allowing our team of orthodontists to create precise treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Boasting a faster turnaround time than traditional aligners, uLab Aligners save time and reduce costs while delivering optimal results. With their groundbreaking technology, ease of use, and exceptional performance, uLab Aligners are transforming the orthodontic landscape and empowering individuals to achieve beautiful, healthy smiles!

Clear Aligners For Kids

What are Clear Aligners for Kids?

When most people think about going through corrective treatment for their kids, they think about traditional braces. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this and braces are often a preferred treatment method for children, but in the last decade, in particular, a viable alternative has emerged.

That alternative is aligner treatment, which is a series of clear plastic aligners that are essentially invisible. Not only are they far more comfortable than traditional braces, but they’re far more discreet as well – all while being just as effective, if not more.

But beyond all that, the benefits of aligners often make them a terrific alternative to traditional braces for children, in particular, for a number of key reasons that are absolutely worth a closer look.

Advantages Of Clear Aligners: Loved By Parents & Kids Alike

Unlike traditional metal braces, plastic aligner trays are actually meant to be taken out during teeth cleaning. This means that your child will NOT need to make any major adjustments to their regular dental routine. Of course, having a regular dental routine in the first place is of the utmost importance, but that goes without saying.

Another significant advantage of this particular type of system is that clear aligners can and should be removed for all meals. This means that your child’s diet will not be restricted in any way, shape, or form – something that both of you will probably love. With traditional braces, for example, you have to be mindful of what you eat and need to avoid anything that can get stuck in between the brackets and wires.

Another thing that kids and parents both love about aligners comes down to the comfort and appearance benefits. Clear aligners are almost totally invisible, which can remove this potential source of anxiety for the child who may be self-conscious about having braces in the first place. The trays can even be removed for special occasions, like picture day at school.

Finally, there is absolutely NO risk of broken brace brackets if your child eats the wrong thing or lives too active of a lifestyle. Likewise, aligners considered by many to be far, far more comfortable than traditional braces. All of these benefits combine to form a solution that is more than worth the effort for most people, but especially for children.

What Age Is Someone An Ideal Candidate For Clear Aligners?

The best part about clear aligners is that you are NEVER too early to begin this particular type of treatment. If you’re old enough for braces, you’re old enough for Invisalign.

Having said that, older children and teens are usually more viable candidates because their jaw and teeth have “shifted” to an appropriate degree. Younger kids are still developing and thus might want to wait a few years.

Clear Aligners For Teens

Most people find clear aligners preferable to traditional braces for a wide range of different reasons. Not only does it work out to be just about the same cost as traditional braces, but the treatment itself is far more comfortable. Rather than dealing with a mouth full of brackets and metal wires for up to two years (that everyone around you can always see, by the way), you get to wear a series of clear plastic aligners that are as discreet as they are comfortable.

Clear aligners also bring with them a number of unique benefits for teens in particular that are certainly worth a closer look.

Better Hygiene, Better Results

One of the most common questions that teens have before experimenting with clear aligners is usually some variation of “How do I clean my aligners?”

Luckily, the answer to that is a straightforward one. All you have to do is remove your aligners during meals, brush your teeth (and be sure to floss), and then put the aligners back in.

Along the same lines, it’s important to understand that you can absolutely eat and drink while going through aligner treatments. If you’re going to eat, however, it’s important to take your aligners out of your mouth FIRST.

However, you can certainly drink water without taking the aligners out of your mouth. If you’re going to drink soda or some other type of sugary liquid, you should either use a straw (to make sure that the liquid bypasses the aligners altogether) or remove the aligners before you do.

Removing your aligners while eating goes a long way towards preventing the type of damage that could be caused by the choices of food that you eat. It also goes a long way toward saving on the costs associated with maintenance, too.

Is Having an Active Lifestyle Possible with Aligners?

Of course! The vast majority of all people do not find any changes to their lifestyle at all when wearing clear aligners. You do, however, need to keep a few key things in mind.

For starters, your aligners can and SHOULD be removed during sports. This is especially true if you’re playing a full-contact sport, like football. During those times, you must still wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth, of course. Likewise, you should put your trays back into your mouth soon after the end of the game.

The Advantages of Clear Aligners

Maybe the biggest advantage that comes with aligners is the fact that treatment is completed up to two times faster when compared to traditional braces. Most people only wear their aligners for about 12 months, although that can obviously vary depending on the situation.

Many people also enjoy the convenience of aligner treatment – meaning that not only are they comfortable and discreet in appearance, but the trays themselves can also be easily removed whenever the situation calls for it.

Finally, clear aligners are a virtually painless form of treatment – especially when compared to traditional braces. All of this comes together to form maybe the best possible option for most people. It also works out to be about the same cost as traditional braces, too, so there really is no reason NOT to consider aligners if you’re a teen or a parent.

Clear Aligners For Adults

Clear Aligners For the Adult Lifestyle: What You Need to Know

When most adults think of dental procedures aimed at correcting certain issues they’re experiencing (like an over or underbite, gaps between teeth, or a generally crooked smile), they almost always think of the exact same thing: traditional braces.

With traditional braces, a series of metal brackets is attached to each of your teeth. Metal wires then connect those brackets together. For a period of about two years, the wire gradually increases in strength, thus moving the teeth from their current position and into the desired one.

In the last decade in particular, clear aligners have emerged as a viable alternative to all of that, bringing with it a wide range of different benefits that most people cannot afford to ignore.

Aligner treatment uses a series of clear plastic trays that a patient wears for a period of about two weeks. After that, those trays are swapped out for another set that is slightly different. Over the course of the entire treatment (which typically takes about 12 to 24 months or so), the teeth move from their current position into the intended one.

These benefits include, but are certainly not limited to ones like:

• Aligner trays can be removed for special occasions. This means that if you lead a particularly active lifestyle and play sports, or if you’re worried about engagement photos or something of that nature, you can always pop out your trays without having the fact that you were wearing them recorded for all time.
• Because the trays are removable, there are also NO dietary restrictions to speak of. This means that if you want to eat your favorite meal, you can do so freely without worrying about damage to brackets or metal wires like you would with traditional braces.
• Clear aligners also come with far faster appointments to the orthodontist, too. Any adjustments that need to be made are done so to the trays and NOT to brackets, or wires affixed to your teeth, meaning that not only will you go to the orthodontist less frequently, but those appointments will be faster, too.
• Because aligner trays are clear, nobody will really know that you’re wearing them. This is contrary to braces, which are fairly hard to ignore.
• All of this is for a system that costs about the same as traditional braces – something that will obviously vary depending on the severity of the issues that you’re trying to correct.

Caring for Clear Aligners: It’s Easier Than You Think

When you get traditional braces, it’s important to understand that those brackets and metal wires are inherently delicate. Something can easily get caught between the brackets (like a piece of corn or some other small food) and either damage the braces or, in a worst-case scenario, your teeth.

Clear aligners, on the other hand, are essentially the exact opposite of this. All you have to do is remove your clear plastic aligner trays when eating, and you can enjoy whatever type of food you want. Just brush your teeth (and always remember to floss) and put your trays back in when you’re done.

Whenever you’re not using your trays, be sure to put them in their proper case for safekeeping. That way, you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged before you switch to a new set.

Likewise, be sure to clean your trays on a regular basis. Beyond that, you really don’t have much to worry about – which is exactly the way you want it.

Clear Aligners FAQ