Straighter Teeth: At-home Teeth Aligners

A straighter smile has always been something many people dream of, but not everyone can visit an orthodontist, commit to years of treatment, or pay a hefty price tag. At-home teeth alignment kits are an option that promises to make achieving a straighter smile more accessible, convenient, and budget-friendly. They are a modern alternative to traditional braces or aligners, such as Invisalign, where you have to visit an office for treatment. These kits are designed to let you straighten your teeth from the comfort of your home, with minimal or no visits to a dentist or orthodontist office.

AlignerCo (Amazon)is a great alternative for a at-home straightening kit. All of the steps are done without having to leave your home. The process starts with the company sending you an impression kit with trays to take molds of your teeth. These molds are analyzed by the company and then your given a treatment plan that is reviewed by a licensed Orthodontist. The company will then send you your personalized plan, which will include a 3D preview of your results. After receiving your treatment plan, your aligners will arrive in the mail. Many companies offer virtual check-ins to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan if necessary.

There are many benefits of at-home teeth straightening kits. One of the most pleasing benefit is that they are cost effective. Traditional braces or Invisalign treatments can cost between $5,000-$8,000, compared to most at-home kits that can start from under $1,000 up to $2,500, making them a more budget friendly option. Convenience is another benefit. There is no need for office visits because everything is done remotely, with your aligners being delivered to your door. Just like invisalign, aligners are clear and less noticeable, which is a plus for adults and teens. The treatment time can be faster than traditional braces. Many companies promise results in 4-6 months depending on how complex your plan is.

There are a few things to consider when using at-home kits. At-home aligners are best for mild to moderate alignment issues. More complex issues like severe crowding, problems with your bite or jaw issues require traditional orthodontic care. The lack of in-person supervision can be an issue as well. Virtual check-ins can be helpful, but they do not compare to in-office monitoring by an orthodontist and if something goes wrong, the treatment may be less effective. The last thing to consider is the length of time wearing the aligners during the day. With some plans, aligners are worn 20-22 hours per day. If your not committed to wearing for them for the recommended amount of time the process can take longer or even fail to deliver the results you want.

Once your teeth are straight, you now have to keep them that way. Retainers are still used after orthodontic treatment. Instead of traditional wire retainers, clear retainers, that look very much like aligners, can now be provided to maintain teeth alignment. Custom Clear Dental Retainers (Amazon) can provide that service. They are sometimes called Essix retainers and they are designed to fit snugly over your teeth. Your teeth have a natural tendency to move back to their original position. Wearing the retainers will keep your teeth in the position that your aligners moved them to after your treatment. Just like the aligners, the benefits are that they are custom made and are less noticeable than wire retainers. They are easy to clean, using lukewarm water and a soft bristle toothbrush. If they crack, show signs of wear or discoloration, be sure to replace them. Keep them away from heat and if you keep them in a case to prevent damage, they can last for years.