Invisalign Alternative – Bend, OR
Invisible Orthodontics, Beautiful Results
Spark clear aligners are an effective alternative to traditional braces because they use a system of clear, removable trays used to straighten teeth. Each aligner is custom-made to fit over your teeth and is designed to gradually move teeth into their proper position.
Using clear aligners is not for everyone. The best way to find out if clear aligners from our Bend, OR orthodontist are the right option for you is to schedule a consultation with our team at Struble Orthodontics!
How do Spark clear aligners work?
Spark clear aligners are designed to help guide teeth into proper position, just like traditional braces. They use gradual force to control tooth movement, but without any metal wires or brackets. The aligners are made with a strong plastic material that has been fabricated to fit your mouth. As treatment progresses, you switch aligners. Each aligner is a little different, so your teeth move a little more with every change.
Aligners are worn for at least 20 hours each day, and you'll receive a new aligner every two weeks. The length of your treatment depends on the severity of your case, and treatment can take anywhere from six months to two years.
Who Can Spark Help?
We typically recommend Spark clear aligners for patients who are looking for a suitable Invisalign alternative and who are experiencing minor to mild dental misalignment issues or bite problems. After gaining a better understanding of the orthodontic issues you face during your initial consultation, our team will provide you with an expert opinion on whether or not Spark aligners are the best choice for you.
Here are some specific examples of orthodontic problems that Spark can often be used to address:
Crowded Teeth
Overlapping and crowded teeth can easily trap food particles and bacteria between them, which can increase your risk of decay and other oral health issues. Fortunately, Spark aligners are often able to shift the teeth in a way that allows for improved aesthetics, function, oral hygiene, and bite mechanics.
Gaps Between Teeth
Do you feel self-conscious because of noticeable gaps between your teeth? Or are you concerned that the spaces between your teeth are leaving your gums vulnerable to irritation and harm? In either case, Spark may be able to help by gently moving your teeth closer together, resulting in an improved smile and fewer oral health risks.
Overbite
If your top teeth rest too far in front of your bottom teeth, you have an issue known as an overbite. Without treatment, you may experience pain, uneven wear and tear on your teeth, and other problems. Spark, often with the help of accessories, can address many mild to moderate cases of overbite.
Underbite
As its name suggests, an underbite is the opposite of an overbite; it occurs when the bottom teeth rest in front of the top teeth. This can interfere with speech, facial aesthetics, biting, chewing, and even proper breathing. Some instances of underbite are treatable via Spark aligners and accessories that can train the lower jaw to rest in the correct position.
Crossbite
If some of your lower teeth rest in front of your top teeth, you have a crossbite. This can increase your risk of broken teeth, jaw pain, and a range of other oral health problems. Gently shifting the teeth and lower jaw with Spark can correct some cases of crossbite.
Open Bite
You have an open bite if there is a vertical gap between your upper and lower teeth even when your back teeth are touching. This may make you self-conscious about your appearance and interfere with your ability to enunciate certain sounds. Spark aligners are often able to close an open bite.
Benefits of Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are a great alternative for patients who want a straighter smile but do not want to wear metal braces, or for patients who have had treatment in the past and want to make minor corrections to their smile. There are several advantages to orthodontic treatment with clear aligners.
- Clear aligners are easier to keep clean, making it easier to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.
- Clear aligners are comfortable and less likely to irritate your gums and cheeks.
- Clear aligners prevent wear on the teeth from tooth grinding.
- Clear aligners are removable, so it's easier for you to brush and floss after meals.
If you're interested in orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, schedule an appointment and talk to your orthodontist about whether this is the right treatment option for you. Scheduling a consultation is your first step toward achieving the beautiful smile you've always wanted.
Understanding the Cost of Clear Aligners
Wearing clear aligners to straighten your teeth is a process that can take many months, so before you start, you should make sure that you can fit the overall cost of treatment into your budget. The amount you end up paying for clear aligners will depend on several factors, which we can go over in more detail when you come to our office for a consultation. After examining your smile, we can give you an estimate of how much your clear aligners will cost so that you can start planning accordingly.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Clear Aligners
There’s no set price for clear aligners. The amount you end up paying will be based on a variety of factors:
- Whether one or both arches are being straightened. Obviously, clear aligners for a single arch will cost less.
- How complex your situation is. If you just have a small gap you want to close, you won’t have to pay as much for your treatment compared to someone who has multiple severely crooked teeth.
- How long your treatment ends up being. The longer it lasts, the more aligners you’ll need, and the higher the cost will be.
Professional Clear Aligners vs. "Do-It-Yourself" Aligners: Which Costs More?
"Do It Yourself" clear aligner kits are usually cheaper than professional clear aligners. However, while they have a lower cost, these services also come with plenty of risks. Without a professional overseeing each step of the process, there’s a high chance that something could go wrong without you realizing it; this could result in serious dental issues that could potentially be expensive to fix. When you get your Spark clear aligners from Struble Orthodontics, you can rest assured that our team will do all they can to make sure you have a smooth, successful treatment.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Clear Aligners?
Some dental insurance plans don’t pay for orthodontic treatment, and those that do may or may not include coverage for clear aligners. To know for sure, you should call your dental insurance company to confirm what benefits you have. If you don’t understand your coverage, feel free to talk to one of our team members; they’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.
Options for Making Clear Aligners Affordable
We want you to be able to get the quality orthodontic care you deserve without breaking the bank. That’s why we offer multiple payment plans for clear aligners. During your initial consultation, we’ll go over each available payment plan option with you and help you pick the one that’s right for your particular financial situation.
We accept most major credit cards and can file claims for a wide variety of insurance plans. If you have any questions about insurance coverage or the other financial options available at our practice, please reach out to us today.
Clear Aligners FAQs
So far, we’ve covered how clear aligners work and the factors that impact the cost, which are two things patients are often most curious about. However, if you would like to learn more about discreetly straightening your teeth, don’t go anywhere – you’re in the right place! Below, we’ve responded to several of the most frequently asked questions about clear aligners. If you don’t see the answer you’re looking for, contact us so we can help.
How Long Does Clear Aligner Treatment Take?
Naturally, you want to achieve your smile goals as quickly as possible. The good news is that clear aligner treatment is often significantly quicker; while traditional braces can take several years, alternatives like Spark average 12 to 18 months. With that said, the length of time needed to straighten your teeth depends entirely on factors that are specific to you, like if you need to straighten both arches of teeth and how severe the malocclusion is. That’s one of the many reasons the initial consultation is so important. During this visit, we will gain a better understanding of your current dental needs before creating a custom treatment plan to make your smile goals a reality.
What Happens After I’m Done with Clear Aligners?
After you’ve worked through your entire series of Spark clear aligners and you’re happy with your new smile, it’s time to move onto the next step: wearing your retainer. Luckily, retainers today are just as discreet as your trays, which makes wearing them much more enticing. You’ll be asked to make wearing them each evening a lifelong best practice to avoid orthodontic relapse (the phenomenon where your teeth begin to drift back into their previous, misaligned positions). This may seem inconvenient at first, but it’s the best way to protect the time and money you’ve invested in your straight, beautiful smile!
Can You Eat with Clear Aligners?
Although you can’t eat with your clear aligners in, you can eat whatever you’d like with them out! Of course, it’s always recommended that you focus on maintaining a diet that’s lower in added sugar and loaded with nutrient-dense foods to help prevent cavities, which can derail your treatment timeline significantly. It’s also smart to avoid extremely hard, crunchy, and sticky foods, which all have the potential to cause a dental injury.
Important note: you should only drink water with your aligners in. You won’t have to cut coffee, soda, wine, and other beverages out of your diet completely, but it is important to remove your aligners before indulging to avoid unsightly stains.
How Do I Clean My Clear Aligners?
First, let’s discuss what not to do. One of the biggest mistakes patients make is using abrasive products to clean their clear aligners. However, even toothpaste can leave behind microscopic scratches that can dull your trays over time. So, avoid mouthwash, bleach, and other harsh cleaners altogether. Instead, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and some lukewarm water to gently clean each surface of your aligners. If they are beginning to yellow, then you can use your cleaning crystals (which come in your welcome kit) to give them a deeper clean.