For many adults, clear aligners can be a good way to straighten teeth, but they are not the right choice for every smile or bite. At Andina Dental Studio in Wilmington, Delaware, we begin orthodontic care by looking at how your teeth fit together, your dental history, current oral health, and what you hope to change. Our clinical team includes Dr. Andrés Hurtado, Dr. Sheyla Artiga, and Dr. Tarlan Arshian, who completed their dental training at the University of Colorado, University of Pittsburgh, and Temple University, respectively.
What Can Clear Aligners Help Correct?
Adults may seek orthodontic care for crowding, gaps between teeth, an uneven bite, or teeth that have shifted out of position. Clear aligners can be considered for some of these concerns, while traditional orthodontic methods may be more appropriate in other cases.
The choice depends on more than how your smile looks. The amount and type of tooth movement needed, the way your upper and lower teeth meet, and the condition of your teeth and gums all matter. An in-person exam gives us the information needed to recommend an approach that makes sense for you.
How Do We Determine if Clear Aligners Are a Good Fit?
During your visit, we examine your teeth, bite, and surrounding oral structures. Your dental history and goals also help guide the conversation.
Keeping up with general dental exams is useful because these visits allow us to monitor your teeth, gums, bite, and previous restorations over time. If more detail is needed for planning, digital dentistry tools such as digital imaging or intraoral scanning may also be used.
Once we understand what needs to change, we can talk through the orthodontic methods that may be appropriate and what each would require from you.
What Is It Like to Wear Clear Aligners as an Adult?
One of the biggest differences between clear aligners and fixed braces is that the trays are removable. They are generally taken out for meals, which means you can continue eating the foods you normally enjoy. You will also need to follow your dentist’s instructions for how long to wear the aligners each day.
That flexibility comes with responsibility. Teeth should be kept clean before the aligners are placed back in your mouth, and the trays themselves need regular cleaning. Routine brushing, flossing, and professional dental hygiene visits remain important while your teeth are moving.
Follow-up visits also give us a chance to see how things are progressing and determine if any adjustments are needed.
Are Clear Aligners Better Than Traditional Orthodontics?
Neither method is automatically better. Clear aligners may appeal to adults who prefer a removable option, but the best choice still comes down to what needs to be corrected and how well the method fits your dental health and daily routine.
Consistency is especially important with removable trays. If wearing and caring for aligners as directed would be difficult, another approach may be worth discussing. The goal is to choose a method that can correct your specific concerns while also being realistic for your lifestyle.
Find Out if Clear Aligners Fit Your Needs
If straighter teeth are on your mind, the first step is finding out which orthodontic method makes sense for your bite, dental health, and routine. Contact us at Andina Dental Studio in Wilmington, Delaware, or call 302-543-5987 to arrange a visit with our dental team.
