It is a thrilling moment for any patient when they finally remove their last set of teeth aligners. The joy of seeing a new, straight and sparkling smile is overwhelming. Even though most of the modern aligners are clear and you can see your smile through them, nothing defeats the feeling of seeing your natural teeth sparkle. It is a great moment that every dentist at a dental clinic norfolk ne would want to be part of.

But as auspicious as it is, there is always another treatment journey to cover after removing your last set of Clear align. When you have your Clear align working on your teeth, it what dentists refer to as the active phase of the treatment. After the active phase, a patient should then embark on a retention phase that will enable them to preserve the gains obtained from the physical phase. In this article, I will break it down so that you know what exactly you should do after removing Clear align.

What Happens During the Active Phase Treatment?

When you put on braces or Clear align aligners, they exert gentle pressure on your teeth and jaw, thus shifting the teeth into the desired position as set out by the orthodontist. If you use them according to the doctors’ specifications, you will be astonished by how they can perfectly shape your teeth, from the start of the treatment to the end.

The force exerted by aligners and braces do not only act on the teeth. The forces also work on the tissues supporting the teeth such as the gums, bones, and jaw. The changes brought about by aligners work up to the cellular level. As these forces reshape your teeth, the ligaments stretch out, bones break, and the teeth may even become loose.

They, however, take the new shape as the aligners continue to exert pressure on them. But when you remove the aligners, you also take off the force that was holding the teeth in place. The teeth will, therefore, tend to shift back to the original position. It is a common occurrence for teenagers whose bones are still growing. The best solution is to kickstart the retention phase.

What Entails the Retention Phase in Clear Aligner Treatment?

The goal of the retention phase is to preserve the gain obtained from the active phase of the Clear align treatment. Retention involves the use of a device known as a retainer that holds your teeth into position and prevents them from going back to the original position.

Wearing a retainer after removing your braces or aligners is the only guaranteed way of maintaining a straight smile. Any season orthodontist will conquer with this. Initially, you will wear a retainer full time for a few days before transitioning to wearing them a few hours at night or any other time you are free.

Depending on your case, a dentist may recommend that you wear a retainer a few times a week. However, it is dependent on how your teeth responded to the Clear align treatment. What’s more important is to follow your dentist’s advice so that you don’t need to start another Clear align treatment.

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When a tooth is lost from the mouth, there are a lot of options available for its replacement. These options range from removable dentures to fixed alternatives such as crowns, bridges, and dental implants merrillville in residents are familiar with. You can read more below.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots which are surgically implanted into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. They are usually made of metal and they serve as the foundation for the overlying artificial teeth. Dental implants have a lot of advantages over the traditional denture. These include: Improved appearance: Dental implants are designed to look like the natural teeth. They are inserted into the jawbone the same way the natural tooth root is within the socket.

Speech improvement: Slurred speech is a common problem among denture wearers. This can be as a result of ill-fitting dentures which can slip or fall off during use. This problem does not occur in people with implants because the dental implant fuses with the jaw bone.
Improved comfort and convenience: Another obvious advantage the implant has over the denture is the convenience. The implant is convenient to use because it is fixed in place. The denture, however, is removable and can be difficult to maintain. Improved confidence: Dental implants are more attractive looking and can restore your natural smile. This can improve your self-esteem and confidence.

Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?

Before getting an implant, your dentist would first evaluate your oral health. A patient needing a dental implant must have enough healthy gums and jaw bone to hold the implant in place.
The dentist would also evaluate your commitment to good oral hygiene because poor oral hygiene is one of the reasons that your new implant might fail. People who smoke as well as people who suffer from systemic conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or heart disease may also need to be evaluated on an individual basis.

What to Expect during Dental Implant surgery?

The procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis. You may need up to 3 or more visits before the final restoration is placed. The surgeon gives you local anesthesia and makes an incision on the gum to expose the jaw bone. When the jaw bone is exposed, he drills a hole into the area of the bone where the implant will be placed. The titanium implant is then inserted deep into the bone. After this, the dentist closes up the gum and waits for the fusion of the implant with the jawbone. This process is called osseointegration and it can take about 6 to 12 weeks.

At the Second Visit.

The dentist reopens the gum and exposes the implant. He then places the abutment over the implant post. The abutment is the part of the implant which connects the implant post to the crown. The gum tissue is then reattached around the abutment. After this stage, your dentist would probably give you 1 or 2 weeks for the gum to heal before your next appointment. The impression of your teeth is taken and the dentist selects your final artificial teeth. These are then screwed or cemented over the abutment.

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