Clear aligners
Cape Town

World-class treatment with Clear Aligners?

Your teeth will move throughout your life. They're constantly competing for space in your mouth and shifting around to function better, which is why orthodontics has become such a popular dental field in South Africa. .

However, more and more people weigh the pros and cons of braces and opt to live with their flawed smiles because they fear the painful tightenings, the bulky metal look and the many years of treatment.

What if there was an orthodontics treatment that offered you straighter teeth without the uncomfortable brackets and metal wires? Something that you could slip on and off at will, so you would still look fabulous at events and functions? Well, there is. It’s called Clear Aligners.

Clear aligners are a new age, revolutionary way to straighten your teeth.

Unlike traditional braces that use brackets and wires, clear aligners use clear removable plastic aligners to move teeth gently.

Since the aligners are clear, this is a popular choice for adults and teens who want to look their best and don’t want anyone to know that they are straightening their teeth.

The clear aligners are custom-made to fit you and you alone.

Clear aligners treat a wide range of straightening issues, from minor movement issues affecting only one or two teeth to more complex cases.

Due to how the trays are designed, clear aligners are the best for adults or teens and not young children because they are still in their development stage.

Clear aligner treatment is also not suitable for severe cases of malocclusion or misalignment. These are best treated with traditional orthodontics.

Here are some of the issues that clear aligners can treat:

• Overcrowded teeth
• Widely spaced teeth
• Crossbites
• Deep bites
• Underbites

We start the process by taking impressions of your teeth to assess whether clear aligners are the best option for you.

Next, we develop a detailed treatment plan, which shows the projection of movement expected during the process - this will give you a good idea of the final result.

Once you are happy with the projections and treatment plan, we begin designing your custom aligners. Each set of aligners is worn for two weeks, and with each set, your teeth will begin to move closer to the final position.

We will closely monitor your progress and ensure you are comfortable during the course of your treatment. The length of your treatment may vary, depending on the complexity of the straightening, but we will keep you up to date with your progress and advise you every step of the way.

Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners are virtually invisible, making them a great option for people who want to improve their smile without sacrificing their appearance.

One of the biggest benefits of clear aligners is its cosmetic appeal. Because the aligners are made of clear plastic, they are barely noticeable when worn, allowing patients to straighten their teeth discreetly. This can be especially important for professionals or anyone who wants to maintain a polished appearance during treatment.

Other advantages of clear aligners treatment include:

1. Clear aligners are far more comfortable than traditional braces. Traditional braces feel clunky in your mouth and may cause discomfort when they are tightened. Also, food frequently gets caught in metal braces. Fortunately, clear braces can be removed at any time if discomfort occurs or when you need to eat, brush, or floss your teeth.

2: Clear aligners treat teeth faster than metal braces. It can take years for metal braces to straighten teeth, whereas clear aligners can do the same job in half the time.

3: Clear aligners are much more subtle in appearance than traditional braces. Traditional braces are often associated with the term "metal mouth." Metal mouth is now a thing of the past because clear aligners are virtually undetectable.

4: Clear aligners are safer to wear than traditional braces. Metal braces have been known to cause damage to teeth. Often, traditional braces cause white spots where the braces were placed. Metal in your mouth can also cause scratches and punctures in the mouth, lips, gums, etc. Clear aligners have no safety concerns like cuts, cavities, or disease.

Not only this, but clear aligners are a versatile treatment option that can be used to correct a wide range of orthodontic issues.

Just like traditional orthodontic treatment, clear aligners are a lifetime commitment – once the initial treatment is complete, you will need to form certain habits to maintain your dazzling smile.

Retainers

Once treatment is complete, you'll need to wear your retainers consistently to maintain your brand-new smile. Retainers are used to retain the position of your teeth. Your body is continually changing, and this goes for your teeth as well. The clear aligner process will shift your teeth into new positions, but they will naturally shift back to their original positions if retainers do not stop them.

The good news is that retainers work gradually – so over time, you will become less dependent on them to maintain your smile. In the beginning, you'll need to wear them every night, but eventually, you'll be able to wear them only a few times a week.

Oral Hygiene

When the retainers are used, daily oral hygiene must still be maintained. Good habits like brushing your teeth and flossing remain the same as they would without them. Be sure to keep your retainers clean at all times.

Without practising oral hygiene, food and bacteria can build up and lead to cavities and other issues like tooth discolouration. Use regular fluoride toothpaste, a soft bristle toothbrush, and warm water to clean your retainers. Do not use hot or water that is too cold. This can change the shape of your retainers, especially if you leave them to sit in the water for an extended period.

Can I get clear aligners if I've had orthodontic treatment previously?

Yes! Many people who have previously had braces and notice their teeth shifting will opt for clear aligners. They are effective for the majority of alignment issues and can potentially be used in cases where you have restorations such as crowns and veneers.

The team at JJS Dentistry will help you establish the best orthodontic treatment by performing a thorough dental history and examination.

How do clear aligners differ from braces?

Clear aligners are similar to retainers or mouth guards but get replaced every few weeks. So not only do they keep your teeth in place, but the new moulds will help slowly shift them into the correct position. On the other hand, braces use a metal framework with wires and brackets tightened every few weeks to shift your teeth into place. Clear aligners are also removable, whereas braces are fixed appliances.

Will Clear aligners affect my daily life?

You will need to adjust your oral hygiene routine to provide extra care for your aligners, but they shouldn't impact your day-to-day activities. It may be necessary to make some adjustments around eating times so that you have the opportunity to take them out and clean them before reinserting them.

You can also remove your aligners for special occasions or when playing sports, but it's best to chat with Dr JJ Serfontein about how often you should wear them.

Are there any cons to clear aligners?

Clear aligners are convenient and can help correct both simple and complex orthodontic cases. However, they may not be suitable for everyone.

Certain complex cases may require more extensive orthodontic treatment. And, if you are someone prone to misplacing items or tend to be forgetful, clear aligners may not be the best choice for you.

How much do clear aligners cost?

clear aligners tend to be similar to the cost of braces. At JJS Dentistry, we base each treatment on the individual, so you will receive a full quote are an initial consultation where we determine the best treatment plan.

You can find rough estimations of clear aligner pricing here.

What happens once I've completed my clear aligner course?

Dr JJ Serfontein will assess your teeth and may recommend a retainer to prevent them from shifting back to their initial position. A retainer only needs to be worn for part of the day, usually at night while you sleep, to prevent teeth grinding and keep them in place.

The cost of clear aligner treatments vary depending on several factors, including the severity of the orthodontic issue being treated and the length of treatment. On average, the cost of clear aligner treatments in South Africa ranges from R35 000 to R85 000, although some patients may pay more or less depending on their needs.

While the cost may seem high, it is still much more affordable than overseas treatment and is an investment in your oral health.

After discussing your concerns with Dr JJ Serfontein, he will create a custom treatment quotation outlining all the steps, procedures and costs involved.