A successful smile transformation with clear aligners has many important components. Here are just a few:
- An accurate digitized model of the teeth
- An expert Orthodontist to direct the treatment
- Best-in-class treatment design software
- Clear, transparent communication between the treatment team and the patient
- World-class fabrication facilities
- Premium-quality, bio-compatible thermoplastics
At Strayt®, we strive to be the best in every single one of these areas. Each one of these components is extremely important. But the real “secret sauce” of clear aligner therapy is:
- A diligent, compliant, informed patient
A diligent patient is the critical ingredient in a successful clear aligner therapy treatment. That is true for any type of orthodontic treatment, but it is particularly important with at-home clear aligner therapy. By analogy, a person might have a membership at the greatest gym in the world with all of the best equipment, classes, amenities, and trainers. But if they don’t follow the diet and exercise plan that has been set out for them, they won’t realize the results they want. It’s essentially the same with clear aligner therapy. Successful outcomes require a good routine, discipline, and consistency.
The Secret Sauce
The secret sauce of clear aligner therapy is a patient that is:
- diligent about wearing their aligners
- compliant with the treatment protocols
- armed with the knowledge of what to do if they do get off track
Our aligner guide gives a sense of what it takes to be a good, compliant patient. DON’T BE INTIMIDATED. IT’ NOT THAT DIFFICULT. Nobody is perfect about going to the gym everyday and always eating healthy. Similarly, it is expected that patients will slip up with wearing their aligners. The key is what the patient does when that happens.
How to avoid getting off track:
- Realize that it’s okay to wear the aligners for longer than planned! Sure, it will prolong the overall treatment time a little bit. But that’s better than getting to the end of the treatment and discovering that all your teeth didn’t come along for the ride.
- Pay attention to the fit of the aligners. It is the best indicator of how the teeth are progressing. If you advance to the next set of aligners and they don’t quite fit as well as they should, that is an indicator that the teeth have not fully completed the previous movement(s). If this happens, continue wearing the previous trays a little longer and use the “chewies” (aligner seaters) regularly to make sure the aligner is grabbing the tooth well.
An example of how space between the aligner and the teeth can indicate that teeth are not tracking
- Give your teeth the time they need to move and stabilize in each tray. If your teeth fall behind, it is unlikely that they will catch up.
- Unsure about something? Communicate with your treatment support team. They’re there to help.
