If the thought of a mail-order orthodontic solution that arrives directly to your door, promising to straighten your teeth and give you the smile of your dreams sounds too good to be true—it probably is. While it can be tempting to order clear aligners online, never having to visit an orthodontist, the risks involved often outweigh the benefits.

At Newtown Orthodontics, our board-certified orthodontists Dr. Heather Albert and Dr. Guy Coby, have combined decades of experience, specializing in proven orthodontic treatments, including clear aligners. We use 3M™ Clarity™ Aligners and Invisalign®, both of which have longevity and positive ratings within the orthodontic industry (and from orthodontic patients).

And, Newtown Orthodontics provides such a welcoming and unique experience, that many of our patients enjoy coming in for visits! If you have been considering clear aligners for yourself or a family member, we’d love to extend a complimentary consultation!

In the meantime, take a look at how clear aligners work, and why it’s best to seek orthodontic treatment in-person, with a trusted orthodontist.

How the Clear Aligner Treatment Process Works

One of the wonderful things about clear aligners is that they can be used as orthodontic treatment for adults and children. And, they are multifaceted in that they are able to correct many orthodontic issues, such as:

• Crossbites
• Crowding of the teeth
• Gaps in between the teeth
• Overbites
• Open bites
• Underbites

Once Dr. Heather Albert or Dr. Guy Coby determine eligibility for clear aligners, they will prepare an individualized treatment plan.

A clear aligner orthodontic treatment process involves:

• Wearing a series of invisible aligners, typically swapping for a new set every two weeks
• Keeping your teeth aligners in a minimum of 22 hours a day
• Maintaining routine visits with Dr. Albert or Dr. Coby to monitor your treatment progress

Benefits of Clear Aligners

There are several benefits of clear aligner treatment, which include:

• Alternative to poking wires (common with traditional braces)
• Aligner trays can be removed during meals (or for special occasions)
• Oral hygiene is not disrupted, allowing regular brushing and flossing (opposed to metal braces that make flossing more difficult)
• Foods do not require restrictions (such as apples, carrots, dried fruits, and other crunchy or chewy snacks)
• Orthodontic visits are not as frequent as with traditional braces (that require tightening by your orthodontist)
• Aligner sets are invisible (and much less conspicuous than metal brackets)

How Long Does Treatment Take?

Typically between 18 to 36 months, depending on your individual needs.

Why You Should Seek Aligner Treatment From a Professional Orthodontist?

In revisiting our initial mention of the temptation to purchase a direct-to-consumer set of aligners, perhaps you can see why it’s advisable to have an in-person orthodontist for treatment. The problem with many mail-order aligner systems is that there is no actual orthodontist to ensure your treatment is progressing correctly.

Additionally, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) provides the following caution associated with online orthodontic treatment options:

“Orthodontic treatment involves the movement of biological material, which if not done correctly could lead to potentially irreversible and expensive damage such as tooth and gum loss, changed bites, and other issues.”

Trust Your Smile to Our Capable Hands

One of our favorite philosophies at Newtown Orthodontics is “Everyone deserves a beautiful smile.” And we mean it! You also deserve to receive professional, high-quality orthodontic treatment in a comfortable environment that caters to all ages and stages of life.

We are also here to help you evaluate the cost of orthodontic treatment and arrange payment plans if necessary. Our partnership with Care Credit makes the process of applying easy: you can do so, here.

Schedule your appointment now. Or, call us any time at (215) 774-5496.