About four million Americans wear orthodontic braces each year. There’s no denying braces are an effective way to achieve straight teeth and a beautiful smile — but for many teens and adults, the thought of a mouth full of metal wires and brackets isn’t an appealing one.
While braces were once a rite of passage to a picture-perfect smile, today you have more options than ever before. Board-certified orthodontist Walied Touni, DDS, MSD, and our team at Touni Orthodontics in Sunnyvale, California, are proud to offer clear aligners as an alternative to traditional braces.
If you need orthodontic treatment but you’re hoping to avoid braces, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn all about clear aligners, how they work, and whether they could be the solution for you.
Clear aligners are rapidly growing in popularity, because they’re an effective orthodontic treatment for children, teens, and adults alike. Dr. Touni and our team use the SureSmile® clear aligner system, which involves using a series of aligner trays to gradually straighten your teeth.
Aligners are custom-made trays that cover the surfaces of your teeth. Each set is made just for your mouth, and the smooth plastic material means they’re comfortable to wear. Since the aligners are clear, they’re essentially invisible in your mouth.
During your treatment program, you have regular appointments at our office. You get a new set of clear aligners every few weeks, and each set moves your teeth into better alignment. All you need to do is wear your aligners for at least 23 hours a day and take them out only to eat and clean your teeth.
As a board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Touni treats all the most common orthodontic issues with clear aligners. You may be a candidate for clear aligners if you have gapped, crowded, or crooked teeth, or if you have an overbite or underbite.
Clear aligners offer the benefits of traditional braces without the hassle of metal wires and brackets. The SureSmile system is effective for misalignments and malocclusions, and many people find that treatment is generally comfortable.
With clear aligners, you don’t have to give up any of your favorite activities or foods. You can safely wear them while playing most sports, and you can remove them to eat. If you have a big event, you don’t have to hide your smile in photos — you can temporarily take your aligners out.
Easy hygiene is another great benefit of clear aligners. Instead of trying to floss and brush around metal braces, you simply remove your aligners when it’s time to clean your teeth. You can clean your aligners at the same time, then put them back in when you’re done.
Dr. Touni and our team start your treatment plan with a comprehensive SureSmile consultation. We examine your mouth and create digital images that show you what your smile could look like at the end of treatment.
We take impressions of your teeth, and a dental lab makes your first set of aligners. You maintain regular appointments and change your aligners regularly.
With SureSmile, patients need 50% fewer alignments than with other clear aligner systems. In many cases, you can expect fewer orthodontist appointments, and when you do come in, your appointments may be shorter.
Clear aligners could give you the straighter smile you’ve always wanted. Schedule your consultation at Touni Orthodontics to get started today. Call our office at 408-412-5249 or request an appointment online.
