How Do Nighttime Aligners Work?

Teeth alignment solutions have evolved over the years, from fixed braces that can be unappealing and uncomfortable to invisible braces or aligners that are barely noticeable. Nighttime aligners are another step on this journey of orthodontic evolution, and here’s how they work:

1.     You use an impression kit to take an impression of your teeth, showing their existing alignment.

2.     An expert assesses the impression and provides a treatment plan, which includes several aligners.

3.     Each aligner is designed to put gentle yet consistent pressure on your teeth, subtly shifting them into the correct position over time.

4.     Once the teeth have moved a certain amount, you switch to a new aligner with a slightly different configuration that shifts teeth closer to your new smile.

5.     The new aligner continues to apply pressure while fitting your slightly adjusted teeth perfectly.

6.     When you’ve used all your aligners, which can take months, you’ll have achieved your smile goals.

Compared to other orthodontic treatment options, nighttime clear aligner therapy is a simple, non-invasive, and painless approach.

Benefits of Nighttime Aligners

What are the primary advantages of choosing nighttime aligners over full-day aligners or traditional braces? In addition to being convenient and easy to use, users also appreciate that they don’t have to worry about how daytime aligners may look. While clear aligners are discreet, they’re not as invisible as only wearing your aligners at night.

Expert nighttime clear aligners also offer a level of comfort rarely offered with traditional braces. SmileSet’s Comfort-Edge upgrade, for example, ensures you can forget about your aligners once in. One user said:

“…the ‘comfort cut’ is a real benefit; absolutely no discomfort at the gum level.”

Knowing that your nighttime aligners won’t disrupt your sleep offers real peace of mind.

Your nighttime aligners also offer a reduced impact on your daily life. Braces and daytime aligners can affect your speech and be noticeable to others. They may also require you to adjust your diet.

Nighttime aligners offer no such difficulties and are a more convenient solution.

Read all about the advantages of nighttime aligners in this article: Benefits of Nighttime Aligners: A Convenient and Effective Orthodontic Option.

Potential Drawbacks and Considerations

Nighttime aligners are gentle and effective, but there are some potential drawbacks to consider.

Because you use these aligners for only 10 hours a day, they do take longer to have the full effect than daytime aligners or traditional braces.

It’s also important to note that nighttime aligners aren’t recommended for complex tooth alignment cases. These require monitoring by a dentist and in-person visits to a dental office.

One drawback for some people is the commitment to wearing the aligners every night. Without full compliance with the program, you won’t achieve the desired results. Of course, with traditional braces, you never have to worry about forgetting to put them in because they’re there all the time. Set a reminder every night so you never forget to use your aligners as advised.

Many people looking to update their smile may be worried about the cost. This varies depending on the severity of your realignment needs. In some cases, nighttime aligners may be more affordable than traditional braces, particularly when you factor in the time and money spent on multiple visits to a dentist. For longer-term alignment situations, the cost may be higher than other orthodontic solutions.

Always discuss your budget and desired outcome with your smile specialist to get the best advice.

Who Are Nighttime Aligners Best Suited For?

Nighttime aligners are best suited for individuals who want to transform their smile without wearing aligners during the day. But how do nighttime aligners compare to traditional braces in terms of effectiveness?

The good news is that despite being worn for just 10 hours a day, nighttime aligners have a 90% success rate in mild to moderate tooth straightening cases. More severe cases of misalignment usually require specialist treatment. However, it’s worth noting that investing in realignment can help alleviate conditions like bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching) or TMJ dysfunction.

Nighttime aligners are also ideal for people who are embracing dental self-care and teledentistry. Teledentistry is the term for all at-home dental treatments, from consultations to aligner treatments. Research shows that the use of teledentistry is on the rise, with an increasing number of individuals willing to try at-home treatments than ever before.

Studies also show that at least 87.5% of users are satisfied with the results of at-home aligner treatment. If you want to join the many delighted people transforming their smiles while they sleep, contact SmileSet today.