Clear Aligners – Lake Zurich, IL

Crowded Teeth

Clear aligners can fix crowded teeth by shifting them into their proper positions, thanks to the gentle, continuous pressure they apply. When fabricated from digital impressions captured by our team, the aligners will guide your teeth through a step-by-step process, ensuring they sit comfortably next to each other, no longer overlapping and making oral hygiene increasingly difficult.

Gaps Between Teeth

When gaps between teeth exist, you can trust that clear aligners will take care of the problem. Instead of continuing to live with a space that traps bacteria and food debris, your trays will help guide your pearly whites closer together. This eliminates the gap and not only creates a more aesthetically pleasing appearance but also improves oral health.

Overbite

When the upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth, it is referred to as an overbite. This requires orthodontic treatment to avoid further issues, such as jaw pain and enamel erosion. With clear aligners, your upper row of teeth will shift backward, moving into better alignment with your lower row. In the end, your smile will work together cohesively, allowing you to eat comfortably and feel more confident in your appearance.

Underbite

If you see that your lower row of teeth sits in front of your upper row of teeth, you have an underbite. Clear aligners can alleviate this problem by shifting the bottom arch backward so that your teeth line up correctly. This reduces the risk of further enamel wear and tear, helping your pearly whites remain strong and healthy over time. If necessary, we can attach rubber bands to your aligners to help guide teeth where they need to go.

Crossbite

Mild to moderate crossbites are no match for clear aligners. Upper and lower teeth that overlap can cause a range of problems if left untreated, including enamel wear and tear, jaw pain, and dental damage. Fortunately, our team can provide clear aligners to move certain teeth into alignment while leaving the others untouched. Depending on the severity of your crossbite, we may need to incorporate attachments or rubber bands, but you can be sure that your clear aligner results will be exactly what you want.

Open Bite

An open bite can seem impossible to address, but in reality, clear aligners are designed to produce great results. When your front teeth do not touch, but your back ones do, you have an open bite. This is commonly caused by non-nutritive habits, but can be fixed with clear aligners. When treatment is planned accordingly, the aligners will bring the front teeth together, creating a seamless bite that no longer protrudes. When you close your mouth, your teeth will meet as they should, allowing for a healthier, more attractive bite.

How does the Clear Aligners system work?

Clear aligners are different from braces in that they rely heavily on patient compliance. The aligners won’t get in the way of your daily routine, but your teenager will need to be diligent about wearing them for the recommended amount of time. Parents are sometimes concerned that their teens won’t stick to the treatment, but studies have shown that, on average, teens are actually better than adults when it comes to wearing their clear aligners responsibly! And in many cases, you can get the results faster than you would with traditional orthodontics.

What happens during appointments?

The process for clear aligner treatment for teens begins with an initial appointment. A 3D model of the mouth is created using a series of photos and X-rays. Not only does this help us plan the treatment, but it also gives us a way to show your teen firsthand how the process works and what the outcome will be. At this point, we can also lay out the long-term plan, including how often you’ll need to return to the dental office and when you’ll need to switch to the next aligner in the series. You’ll need to wait a few weeks for the aligners to be made before returning for the next appointment. On average, you’ll only need to bring your child in for an appointment every 6 to 8 weeks – or in other words, every other month.

Is my child a candidate for Clear Aligners Teen?

It should be noted that clear aligners are typically better suited for mild to moderate orthodontic issues; more complex cases typically require braces. That said, clear aligners are useful for treating underbite, overbite, overcrowding, and gaps between the teeth. And thanks to the expertise of our in-house orthodontist and the rest of our team, we can handle a wide range of difficult cases with clear aligners. Don’t be afraid to let us know about any unique accommodations your teen might require; we’ll develop a treatment plan that fits their lifestyle.

Non-Invasive Treatment 

There are no metal brackets or wires that must be attached to the surfaces of your teeth. Instead, clear aligners click into place once they are fabricated to fit your smile. They are easy to insert and remove, so you don’t have to worry about sitting in a treatment chair for hours while your dentist captures impressions and attaches components to your teeth. Instead, you can enjoy a less laborsome orthodontic experience.

Comfort-Based Aligners

Instead of worrying about protruding metal rubbing against your lips, cheeks, or tongue, trust that your smooth, sleek aligners will be more comfortable to wear every day. These comfort-based trays are easy to insert and remove, and they feel good against your soft oral tissues, which will remain damage-free over time.

More Efficient Follow-Ups

Each follow-up appointment required with clear aligners should take only 15-20 minutes. Unlike traditional braces, which require lengthy visits for necessary wire tightening, clear aligner follow-ups are quick. Your dentist only needs to review your progress and make any necessary adjustments.

Long-Term Oral Health

Maintaining a healthy smile while wearing clear aligners is easy. You are free to brush and floss as normal since you must remove your aligners beforehand. All you need to do, in addition to taking care of your smile, is clean your trays with a soft-bristled toothbrush, clear soap, and warm water. Be sure you don’t use hot water, as it will warp the plastic and damage your trays.

Boosted Self-Esteem

With clear aligners, you can expect greater confidence thanks to the virtually invisible trays you wear. No one ever has to know you are receiving orthodontic treatment. Instead, you can discreetly remove them before meals and snacks and reinsert them without anyone noticing. You will feel better about your smile and overall appearance during treatment and after you see results.

Discreet Aligners

Clear aligners don’t come with bulky, shiny metal. Instead, they are nearly transparent, blending in with your smile so that others barely notice that you’re undergoing treatment. Their discreet appearance is ideal if you are self-conscious about your smile or need to maintain a certain level of professionalism at work.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Clear Aligners

Our clear aligners dentist in Lake Zurich will evaluate each patient’s smile to determine the cost based on the following:

• How severe their dental issue might be
• How many aligners they will require for effective results
• How long the treatment will take, as a misaligned bite will take much longer than a small gap in a person’s smile

Clear Aligners vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?

DIY aligner systems are appealing to patients seeking a more affordable orthodontic solution. Compared with clear aligners, the cost is significantly lower; however, many problems can arise when attempting to straighten teeth without professional oversight.

Before opting against clear aligners, consider the potential issues that can develop with DIY aligners:

• Patients will not see an orthodontist face-to-face. Instead, they will be responsible for reporting their own progress.
• If problems develop throughout treatment, a patient must find a local orthodontist to administer the appropriate care to reduce the risk of serious injury. This can lead to more money being spent on care.
• Individuals are required to take impressions at home using outdated techniques that often do not produce accurate results. This can cause aligners to fit poorly and damage teeth.
• An initial consultation is not performed when choosing DIY aligners, and if a person is not a good candidate for clear aligners, this can be problematic in the long run.

By opting for clear aligners in Lake Zurich, patients can remain confident in their plans, knowing our dental team will oversee and ensure the success of their treatment.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Clear Aligners?

Some dental insurance companies do provide orthodontic coverage, but each individual must review their plan to determine the details. Some policies have various stipulations such as the age of a patient or the type of braces they receive. Clear aligners may be covered, but traditional braces may also be the only form of orthodontics the insurance company agrees to cover. Each person must review their plan or ask a member of our dental team to work on their behalf to understand the availability of orthodontic coverage better.

Options for Making Clear Aligners Affordable

At Grand Dental – Lake Zurich, our team provides patients with alternative payment options apart from filing with dental insurance. The Grand Advantage Program allows uninsured individuals to pay a one-time fee and receive access to preventive services, as well as discounts on various dental treatments, in the first year.

Interested patients can also choose flexible financing through CareCredit*, making it easy to break up the cost of treatment into manageable monthly payments.

*Subject to credit approval. Visit CareCredit.com for more information.