What Are Clear Aligners? Straighten Your Teeth Without Metal Braces

QuickSmiles is the most convenient way for busy adults to straighten teeth, without sacrificing quality of care.

If you have crooked teeth, an overbite, crooked teeth, or other misalignment issues, you’re likely searching for the best orthodontic solution. Clear aligners provide an invisible option that will make it possible to straighten your teeth while also avoiding the many restrictions that come with traditional braces.

In the past, clear aligners could only be used to fix minor alignments but the technology has advanced over the past 20+ years. Today, clear aligners are preferred because not only can they be used to treat 95% of people, they are also proven to be more convenient and better for self-confidence than traditional metal braces.

When it comes to getting clear aligners, the company you choose really matters. First of all, you need to make sure you are receiving them under the care of a local orthodontist. At QuickSmiles, you will always be under the care of a board-certified orthodontist who is an expert at using clear aligners to straighten teeth.

What are Clear Aligners?

Created more than 20 years ago, clear aligners are quickly becoming the most popular alternative to metal braces. Clear aligners are nearly invisible trays that are specifically formed to the mouth of each individual for straightening their teeth and correcting bite problems.

People who use clear teeth aligners love the convenience they offer with many benefits that you won’t find with other orthodontic options. With clear aligners, you can easily take them out making it possible to eat what you want and clean them without any hassle. They are more affordable than metal braces and even offer faster treatment times than traditional solutions.

In 1998, Invisalign clear aligners became the first ever invented. With so many years of transforming smiles, no clear aligner compares to Invisalign when it comes to technology and experience, making them the standard go-to option for the most reputable orthodontists. QuickSmiles has top-rated Diamond Plus orthodontists who are experts in the use of Invisalign clear aligners for correcting a wide variety of teeth issues.

Do Clear Aligners Work?

While you’ll want to visit with an authorized Invisalign provider like QuickSmiles to see if you qualify, clear aligners work for more than 95% of cases.

As a popular solution for mild to moderately crooked teeth, clear aligners have been correcting smiles for over two decades.

When under the care of a local orthodontist, they’ll be able to monitor the process and make changes to your clear aligners treatment as needed.

See below for a list of the types of misalignments clear aligners can fix.

What Can Clear Aligners Fix?

Types of cases a board-certified orthodontist at QuickSmiles can fix are more advanced than a clear aligners provider that ships to you.

These are the most common conditions that clear aligners can be used to fix:

Overbite: If your top front teeth protrude over your bottom front teeth, clear aligners can move them to realign in a healthy way.
Underbite: Whenever bottom teeth stick out, clear aligners like Invisalign are able to correct the bite.
Crossbite: Sometimes people may have a combo of an overbite and underbite resulting in a crossbite, which can also be fixed using clear aligners.
Open Bite: An open bite means you have a space between the top and bottom teeth due to misalignment.
Gap Teeth: Clear aligners can correct spacing between teeth caused by gaps that leave them separated from each other.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Syndrome: TMJ can be a painful result from your jaw bone rubbing against your skull.
Crowding: Occasionally, there isn’t enough room in a person’s mouth for all of their teeth causing crowding, but this can often be treated using clear aligners.
Minorly Crooked Teeth: Among the most common orthodontic issues, minorly crooked teeth are easily remedied with clear aligner trays.

How Much Do Clear Aligners Cost?

You don’t have to spend a fortune getting the smile you want thanks to the affordable options that come with clear aligners.

Some clear aligners are inexpensive and offer prices that sound too good to be true. But companies who ship clear aligners to you without having them fitted by a board-certified orthodontist can have risks. In the end, you could end up paying additional amounts to have a reputable orthodontist fix the mistakes caused by these at-home clear aligner alternatives.

At QuickSmiles, you’ll find our pricing is up to 60% lower than the cost of traditional braces.

Depending on your treatment requirements, we offer three pricing plans for our Invisalign clear aligner services: Express and Premium.

The Express service is for individuals who have minorly crooked teeth or basic alignment issues. If you qualify for the QuickSmiles Express plan, the clear aligners cost starts at $2,450 with monthly payments that can be as low as only $63 per month. These treatments can take as little as six months to complete.

When it comes to medium or more serious alignment problems, you will likely be set up on the QuickSmiles Premium plan. Using this option, pricing for your clear aligners cost starts at $3,250 with payment plans as low as $83 per month. Depending on the severity, the majority of these treatments take a minimum of six months up to 12 months or more.

Here at QuickSmiles, we’re able to reduce the cost of clear aligners because of our convenient virtual checkup process. Instead of constantly visiting our orthodontist offices, you can simply send us updated images of your smile to confirm the process is going as planned. Thanks to the QuickSmiles method, these are the lowest Invisalign clear aligners prices in the nation!

Clear Aligners vs Braces

Both clear aligners and metal braces can now treat nearly any type of orthodontic issue, so which one should you choose? Each option has the ability to help most people get the smile that they want. But you’ll also find pros and cons for either one as you decide between clear aligners vs braces.

Clear Aligner Pros:

Invisible alternative to traditional braces
No food restrictions
Easy to remove for cleaning and eating
Molded to teeth for a comfortable fit
Less time spent at an orthodontist office

Braces Pros:

More than one type to choose from
Can correct nearly any orthodontic problem
You can customize your bracket rubber band colors

Clear Aligners Cons:

Must be worn minimum of 22 hours per day
Can be lost or broken with improper care
May not be able to treat about 5% of cases (but can fix more than 95%)

Braces Cons:

Clearly visible any time you talk, eat, smile, or laugh
Tough to brush your teeth and floss properly
Frequent visits to your orthodontist for checkups and wire tightening
Loads of food restrictions
Broken brackets lead to even more visits and higher costs

Are Clear Aligners Cheaper Than Braces?

When comparing the cost of clear aligners vs braces, you’ll quickly see a significant difference in the price.

Traditional braces cost an average of between $5,000 to $8,000 for treatment, which equals out to payments of more than $100 per month depending on your insurance. These options can often take from 18 months to more than 3 years to get your smile correction completed. This also leads to anywhere from 15 to 25 or more visits to your orthodontist.

With a reputable clear aligner company, you can expect to pay a fraction of these prices and spend less time sitting in an orthodontist’s office.

Getting Invisalign clear aligners from QuickSmiles is the best way to go. With the lowest Invisalign prices in the nation, our average treatments cost around $2,950. You also get the benefit of convenient virtual checkups, so you don’t have to worry about regularly visiting the office.

Clear Aligners At Home

The busy schedules of adults makes at-home clear aligners very attractive, however, if the at-home treatment is not overseen by an in-person orthodontist, the results can be unpredictable and sometimes detrimental.

That’s why QuickSmiles treatment includes a local orthodontist who sees you during treatment while also offering virtual check-ups to save you trips to our office. Instead of 15-25 visits over your treatment, at QuickSmiles, you can complete your treatment with as little as 3-4 office visits.

QuickSmiles is the most convenient way for busy adults to straighten teeth, without sacrificing quality of care.

There has been a huge increase in “DIY dentistry” and “at-home clear aligners” services over the past few years. Many companies are offering cheap clear aligner solutions they can do at home with little or no contact with an orthodontist.

While this may sound like a convenient way to correct your smile, it comes with a handful of risks:

No consultation with a trained orthodontist: Without regular monitoring from a licensed orthodontist, there’s no way of knowing that your treatment is going as planned. If changes need to be made, it is vital that an orthodontist be able to adjust your plan and steer the process in the right direction.
Inaccurate and uncomfortable fit: Since you use an at-home kit to create the molds for your teeth, there is a large chance that the clear aligners you receive won’t fit correctly. This can be incredibly frustrating and uncomfortable as it scratches your gums and cheeks.
Additional damage: When not properly monitored, treatment with any form of orthodontics can lead to major issues that you didn’t even have before.

The most important aspect when it comes to any type of braces is having regular checkups by a board-certified orthodontist. QuickSmiles has made this process easier than ever before thanks to our virtual checkups.

Are Clear Aligners Painful?

Anyone who has spoken with someone that has used traditional braces has heard that their teeth and gums hurt after each appointment. Having wires tightened and adding rubber bands often leads to soreness and aching.

Do clear aligners hurt like metal braces?

While any type of teeth correction may cause some discomfort, it mainly depends on your pain tolerance. Other factors include how much the teeth need to be moved and what methods need to be used.

Clear aligners generally cause less pain than traditional braces, Many people say the discomfort even lessens as the treatment progresses and trays are switched out. Since the trays are replaced every week or two, the changes are less dramatic and lead to less soreness overall.

Can You Eat with Clear Aligners?

One of the biggest benefits of using clear aligners is that there are no food or drink restrictions. You can simply remove your clear aligner trays to enjoy your meal and then put them back in when you are finished eating.

It is not recommended to eat while your clear aligners are still in your mouth as they are not made to withstand the pressure that comes with chewing and could be damaged. You’ll also want to ensure that you brush your teeth after every meal to prevent food from getting stuck between your trays and your gums or teeth.

How Long Do You Wear Clear Aligners?

The average treatment time for clear aligners ranges from six months up to 12 months or more depending on the treatment plan. Some people may take less time for easier corrections, while others may take longer.

To be effective, clear aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours per day. You will switch to new trays every 1 to 2 weeks as the treatment progresses. Doing these minor changes helps to gently and gradually shift your teeth into place with minimal pain and soreness.

Once you’ve completed your initial consultation with QuickSmiles, we’ll identify an estimated timeframe and let you know about how long your treatment will take.

How to Clean Clear Aligners

While the right way to clean clear aligners may seem obvious, there is a right way and a wrong way to keep them in pristine condition.

First, you should avoid using toothpaste and a rough toothbrush to clean your clear aligners. Toothpaste can be abrasive and lead to damage. You’ll also want to avoid using mouthwash as it can stain your clear aligners and lose the benefit of being invisible.

To clean your clear aligners, try any of the following ideas:

Clear liquid soap: Use a small amount of clear liquid soap and water. With a soft bristled toothbrush, lightly brush the inside and outside to remove any debris. Rinse them off and put them back in.
Baking soda: Combine a bit of baking soda and water and lightly brush it onto the surface of your clear aligners. Rinse with water.
Vinegar: Rinse or soak your clear aligners in vinegar for a few minutes and then use a soft bristled toothbrush to clean them off. Rinse them with water and put them in.
Clear aligner cleaning solutions: There are a handful of reliable cleaning solutions that have been made for clear aligners. Make sure you buy from a dependable company and follow the directions. It is always a good idea to check with your orthodontist before using any product on your clear aligners.

Who Are the Major Clear Aligner Providers?

QuickSmiles
Smile Direct Club
Candid
Byte
Alignerco
Strayt

Are Clear Aligners Covered By Insurance?

Orthodontics are often included as part of most types of dental insurance. When you receive treatment at QuickSmiles, your dental/ortho insurance typically covers all or part of your treatment. You can have your insurance checked during your initial consultation to see if your plan will be covered.

Common insurance providers that offer coverage for clear aligners include:

Cigna
Delta Dental
United Healthcare
Metlife
Humana
AETNA
United Concordia

QuickSmiles is in-network with the majority of dental insurance plans, making it possible for us to maximize your savings for the cost of clear aligners.

Find a Clear Aligner Provider In Your Area

We recommend that anyone receiving clear aligner treatment also be under the care of a local orthodontist who oversees their treatment.

Here are the best locations to get clear aligners from QuickSmiles:

Gilbert, AZ
Chandler, AZ
Queen Creek, AZ
Mesa, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ
Tempe, AZ

Start Your Clear Aligners Smile Transformation with QuickSmiles

If you have been considering any of the clear aligners solutions available, make sure you take a look at the professional services offered at QuickSmiles! We provide a FREE Smile Consultation, giving you a clear picture of what your smile transformation looks like from beginning to end.

Find the QuickSmiles office nearest you and get started with the best clear aligners available in the nation! Give us a call today at (480) 757-0000 if you’d like to learn more about Invisalign and how we can help you get the smile you’ll love!

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