Welcome back to my Clear Correct teeth straightening journey!
Pippa here from the {my}smile team, back again to chat you through the ins and out of straightening your teeth with clear braces!
Today we are going onto week 4, and the progress I can see is already great. I went back to the dentist last week so they could track my progress and make sure my teeth were moving safely and correctly. Safe to say, everything is going to plan and matches my treatment plan! So, yay!
Whilst at my appointment I also received a little more IPR (Interproximal reduction (IPR) is sometimes necessary in teeth straightening to provide more room for the teeth to move into. It involves removing tiny sections of enamel from the sides of the teeth to create spaces that help correct crowding.), along with my attachments being popped on to specific teeth to match my treatment plan. This didn’t take too long before sending me on my way with another four weeks' worth of aligners (including this weeks!) So, I have lots to look forward to!
Today, I also thought it would be great to answer some of our customers frequently asked questions so here goes, I’ll do the best I can!!
How long does teeth straightening take?
This is totally different from person to person! Overall to straighten your teeth with clear braces we would say it takes from 3 months to a year, but this is dependent on your very own treatment plan. Your treatment plan from your dentist will show you how your teeth should move to become perfectly aligned, so because everyone’s smile is different, every persons plan will also follow suit.
Will my teeth move again after teeth straightening?
If you don’t wear your retainer, the short answer is yes! Your teeth have memory, so if you don’t have something to stop them from moving... then they just will move back to the way they were.
How long do I have to wear clear braces for each day?
When you receive your braces, you will have to wear them 22 hours a day. If you wear them less than the 22 hours, it could halt or stop the process of alignment and we don’t want that! You only need to take these out when you’re eating or drinking anything other than water. Simple.
Does straightening my teeth hurt?
A little bit of discomfort with your first aligner is totally normal as it’s starting to move your teeth in your mouth! Sometimes changing from one aligner to the next can be a little uncomfortable, but it will settle over time. Some people find it helps to take a mild painkiller for the first few days of wearing aligners – if the pain doesn’t improve contact your dental practice.
How do I get started with teeth straightening?
If you’re interested in clear braces, book now for your free video or telephone chat with one of our team members. They’ll be able to speak to you about teeth straightening, our free* teeth whitening offer and book you in for your free** consultation with an experienced clinician at your local {my}dentist practice.
You can also check out my progress over on our YouTube channel. I hope to see you back next week and keep on smiling!
-Pippa
*Subject to availability and assessment for suitability by a dentist, for which a PPE supplement may be charged where appropriate.**For consultations in practice, a £7 COVID safety supplement will be chargeable to cover the increased costs of PPE during this time.