A Quick Pathway to Straighter Teeth With Your Dentist in Antioch, TN

Are you looking for a quicker pathway to straighter teeth with a dentist in Antioch, TN? Get expert care with clear aligners. Schedule an appointment today!

According to an article by Dentistry IQ, a recent poll of 2,000 U.S. social media users found that 53% of surveyed participants compare their teeth with others on social media. Nearly the same percentage (56%) also admitted hiding their smiles during photo-taking.

Sounds familiar?

If you do the same because you feel overly conscious about not having straight teeth, your caring, compassionate dentist in Antioch, TN, can help. And if you think the only way they can do so is with traditional braces, we're here to tell you that they're no longer the only options to get straighter teeth. Today, you can achieve a straighter, healthier smile with clear aligners.

So, join our team at Century Farms Dental as we explore how your dentist can use clear aligners in Antioch to straighten your teeth and the benefits these oral devices bring.

What Are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners (also called "trays") are thin, flexible, and removable oral appliances made of "nearly invisible" plastic. They're a relatively new way to correct orthodontic problems or malocclusions.

Malocclusions are problems affecting the alignment of the teeth, the jaw, or both. Examples of malocclusions are:

• Overcrowding
• Overjet
• Overbite
• Crossbite
• Underbite

Clear aligners can help fix mild to moderate cases of the above conditions. When worn and used as directed, the trays, which fit snugly over the teeth, move the teeth gradually and in increments. At the end of the treatment plan, your teeth should be in better, more ideal locations or positions.

How Can Your Dentist in Antioch, TN, Straighten Your Teeth With Clear Aligners?

Clear aligner treatment is one of the many ways your Antioch dentist can enhance your smile, but like any treatment, it consists of several steps:

• Initial consultation and discussion 
• Customization of treatment plan
• The actual treatment process
• Treatment completion and wearing of retainers

Let's examine these steps in more detail so you can better understand what to expect before, during, and after the treatment.

Initial Consultation and Discussion 

Determining your eligibility is the first step to getting clear aligners. Most people with minor to moderate malocclusions are good candidates, but you still need to undergo a consultation so that your dentist can: 

• Discuss with you your teeth and jaw alignment goals
• Examine the current state of your oral health, including your teeth, gums, and jaw
• Determine if you need other treatments for issues that may interfere with your teeth-straightening treatment

During the initial consultation, your dentist in Antioch, TN, will take digital impressions and X-rays of your mouth. They will then create a 3-D model for your personalized treatment plan (we'll discuss this further below).

Your dentist will also use the X-rays to uncover oral health issues that a visual inspection may not reveal. A perfect example is a hidden cavity or tooth decay.

Untreated tooth decay is highly prevalent; according to the U.S. CDC, it affects about one in five American adults 20 to 64 years old. Untreated cavities can weaken teeth and make them more prone to damage (e.g., from the force and pressure exerted by the aligners as they move your teeth). So, your Antioch dentist would want to treat any existing tooth decay you may have before starting orthodontic treatment.

Customization of Treatment Plan

Your dentist will use innovative dental software technology to map out the movement of your teeth during the treatment. They'll also use this technology to show you the intended results so you can preview what your teeth and smile will look like post-treatment.

Your dentist will create your aligners using the 3-D model mentioned above. Each aligner will move your teeth slightly to the desired positions.

Actual Treatment Process

Your treatment will involve wearing a series of aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily. Your dentist will also advise you when to change to the next pair, although it's often after every week or two.

The number of trays you'll wear throughout the treatment depends on your case. For example, a minor occlusion may only need 10 or fewer aligners, but more severe cases may require 20 to 30 trays. 

You'll also need to visit your Antioch dentist periodically throughout the treatment. Attending these visits will allow your dentist to monitor and adjust your treatment as necessary.

Treatment Completion and Wearing of Retainers

You will stop wearing aligners once your treatment plan achieves the desired results. However, your dentist will still give you removable retainers. Please wear these according to their instructions, as they can help maintain your straighter, healthier smile.

What Are the Benefits of Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners aren't just for cosmetic dentistry; their teeth-straightening benefits can also help improve oral health. One reason is that straight teeth are easier to clean. So, they can help lower your risk of developing disease-causing plaque and tartar.

Correcting malocclusions also helps promote a healthier bite. When your teeth and jaw align properly, you can bite, chew, and speak more efficiently. Conversely, a misaligned bite places extra, unnecessary stress on the teeth, gums, and jawbone, leading to an increased risk of problems like oral pain.

Straighter, healthier teeth can also help improve overall health and quality of life. For example, they can give you more self-confidence and self-esteem, which are crucial to your mental health. As Verywell Health points out, more self-esteem translates to better mental health, while lower levels have a connection to conditions like depression.

Let's not forget that clear aligners can be much more convenient than traditional fixed braces. You can remove them as needed, such as before eating, brushing, and flossing. And because they're nearly invisible, they can make you feel less conscious about your treatment. 

Ready to Reap the Benefits of Straighter Teeth?

As you learned in this guide, your dentist in Antioch, TN, can help straighten your teeth and improve your smile with removable clear aligners. So, if you've always longed for a more dazzling smile, we encourage you to explore the high-quality dental services we provide at Century Farms Dental.

Our dentist, Dr. Tara, brings over 16 years of experience practicing dentistry in the public and private sectors to our office. In addition to clear aligners, we offer dental implants and general, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry services.



Reach out today to book your consultation! We look forward to helping you achieve and reap the benefits of a healthier, straighter smile.