Clear Castle FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How Do Clear Aligners Work?

These aligners are made of clear, thin plastic trays that are custom-designed to match your mouth. You wear each set for about a week, for at least 22 hours a day, and they move your teeth little by little, usually just a fraction of a millimeter at a time.

You need to take them out when eating, drinking, brushing, or flossing. The total number of aligners and the duration of treatment depend on your specific orthodontic needs and how much your teeth need to move. To see if aligners are right for you, schedule a consultation with your orthodontist.

What Conditions Can Invisible Aligners Fix?

Aligners are commonly used to treat issues like:

• Gapped teeth

• Crowded or crooked teeth

• Overbite

• Underbite

• Open bite

• Crossbite

If you want straighter teeth and prefer a less noticeable alternative to traditional braces, clear aligners might be a good option.

Who Should Not Use Aligners?

Clear aligners aren’t suitable for everyone. They work best for mild to moderate orthodontic problems. Sometimes, they can be combined with traditional braces or elastics to help correct bite issues, but they may not be the best choice for more complex cases.

Will the treatment hurt?

Most people feel some tooth soreness for a few days after starting each new stage. This is normal and indicates that the Invisalign aligners are working to move your teeth into the right position. The soreness should gradually lessen within a couple of days after putting in the new aligner. If it doesn’t improve, contact your doctor promptly.

Will wearing the aligners affect my speech?

Like with all braces, you might temporarily have a slight lisp or speech difficulty for a day or two. As your tongue gets used to the aligners, these speech issues should go away on their own.

What should I do if my new aligner doesn’t fit properly?

It’s common for there to be small differences between the new aligner and your current tooth position, since your teeth need time to adjust. If the aligner doesn’t fit well or if there are major fit problems, let your doctor know.

Are there any foods I shouldn’t eat?

Generally, no. Unlike traditional braces, you can eat and drink whatever you like because you take out the aligners when eating. You don’t need to avoid your favorite foods unless your doctor specifically advises otherwise.

Can I drink hot or cold drinks while wearing the aligners?

It’s best not to drink anything except cool water while wearing the aligners. Hot drinks can cause the aligners to warp or stain, and hot water or beverages can increase the risk of cavities.

Can I chew gum while wearing Invisalign?

No, gum can stick to the aligners. It’s best to remove your aligners when eating or chewing gum.

Does smoking or chewing tobacco stain the aligners?

No, gum can stick to the aligners. It’s best to remove your aligners when eating or chewing gum.

Can I play sports while wearing my aligners?

Yes, you can wear your aligners during sports activities. Aligners can be worn during sports if desired, as they fit snugly in the mouth. Mouth guards can also be worn over the aligners.

Speak with your doctor to find out which mouth guards work best with aligners.

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Some of my aligners have bumps or ridges on them. Why is that?

Depending on your treatment plan, certain movements may need “attachments” or “ridges” to help the aligner grip your teeth better. These bumps, or wells, are where the aligner holds onto the attachment placed on your teeth. Attachments are small pieces of composite material that your dentist glues onto your teeth, and the bumps on your aligners help them grip these attachments. Ridges are thin indentations in the aligner itself. Your dentist will use one or both of these features to try to guide your teeth into the desired position.

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What should I do if I lose or break an aligner?

If you lose or break an aligner, contact your dentist right away. They’ll likely advise you to start wearing your previous set or the next set of aligners immediately. They might also order a new set to replace the lost or broken one, which should arrive in a few days..

What if I lose or break an attachment?

If an attachment is lost or damaged, you should get in touch with your dentist immediately.

What are chewies or munchies, and why should I use them?

Chewies, or munchies, are small, chewable devices you bite down on after inserting your aligners. They help seat the aligners properly and increase the chances that the built-in force systems in your aligners move your teeth accurately and efficiently.

Can I wear aligners during pregnancy?

Teeth straightening with aligners doesn’t affect pregnancy in any way. There are no systemic chemical or biological changes involved; the treatment only works on your teeth.

Is it safe to sleep with my aligners in?

Yes, it’s not only safe but also recommended! You should wear your aligners for about 22 hours each day, and a good portion of that time will be while you’re sleeping. Constant pressure is necessary for your teeth to move properly, so wearing them overnight is important. Just make sure to brush your teeth and follow your nightly oral hygiene routine before going to bed. Wearing them for less than the recommended time can reduce their effectiveness.

Do I need to get a dental checkup before starting aligner treatment?

Good dental health is the foundation of any cosmetic dentistry procedure. Before beginning orthodontic treatments like invisible aligners, your teeth should be healthy. Any existing problems, such as cavities or gum disease, need to be addressed by your general dentist first. If not, your teeth might not respond well to the aligners, which could cause delays or other complications. It's better to be cautious when it comes to your smile!

Can teeth aligners cause gum recession?

Gum recession can happen for various reasons at any point in life, including aggressive brushing or genetic factors like having thin gum tissue. There are two main types of gum biotypes: thick and thin. People with a thick biotype usually experience less gum recession, while those with a thin biotype are more prone to inflammation and recession.

Teeth aligners themselves move teeth, but do not directly cause gum recession. However, if someone already has sensitive gums or has experienced some recession before treatment, poor oral hygiene during aligner use, combined with fragile gums, can lead to further recession.

Can I wear aligners over veneers?

Yes, aligners can fit over veneers and still work effectively. But since veneers are often used to give a straighter-looking smile, whether aligners are suitable depends on your specific case. Our dental team needs to evaluate your situation. Sometimes, if veneers were placed to achieve immediate straightening, the teeth might be quite thick, and the ceramic layer may need to be removed before starting treatment.

Can I wear invisible aligners if I have an implant?

Implants are fixed in the bone and aren’t meant to move, while aligners are designed to shift teeth. So, this could be a concern. However, depending on the type and position of the implant, treatment might still be possible—for example, if you have an implant on a back tooth that doesn’t need to be moved. Keep in mind, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and our team of dentists needs to evaluate whether at-home aligner treatment with implants is suitable for you.

What about crowns?

Similar to veneers, in some cases, you might be able to use clear aligners with crowns. This depends on the crown’s type and placement, as well as the health of the underlying tooth—whether it’s strong and stable or if it’s a fragile tooth with a root canal, post, and core. Again, your individual situation should be assessed by our dental team to determine if aligners are appropriate.

Do I need to remove my wisdom teeth to use aligners?

No, aligners don’t move wisdom teeth. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, they shouldn’t interfere. Even if they shift slightly during or after treatment, they usually only exert a small force that doesn’t impact the front teeth or the straightening process. If your wisdom teeth are causing health issues, it might be better to have them removed. Aligners won’t affect your wisdom teeth, but they can still come in or cause problems at any time, just like at any other point. It’s best to remove wisdom teeth either before or after aligner treatment, not during, since you won’t be able to wear your aligners while recovering from extraction.

Can I just wear aligners at night and get the same results?

Short answer: no. For safe and effective tooth movement, aligners are meant to be worn about 22 hours a day.

One of the nice things about invisible aligner treatment is that it offers a bit more flexibility. Generally, you should wear your aligners for about 22 hours each day since teeth need steady pressure to shift properly. However, missing a day, whether because you forgot or had a special event with lots of food and drinks, won't completely derail your treatment. If you do miss a day, it's helpful to make up for the lost time by wearing your aligners longer on other days before switching to the next set. This helps ensure your teeth move the right amount and are ready for the next phase. Keep in mind, wearing the aligners for less than the recommended time can slow down your progress and extend the overall treatment time.