Two Weeks per Aligner and Why

 

Everyone’s comfort level per aligner is different, and some teeth may feel “used to” an aligner before it has been worn for two weeks. So why is it that we recommend wearing each one for the full two weeks?

 

Health and Safety

Each aligner moves all or some of the teeth slightly in a pre-planned way, and the time period allows for the gums, bones and other tissues to heal before it is time to move on to the next set. This keeps the movement safe for the roots of your teeth, and helps them get used to their new position.

 

Prevent Relapse

If teeth move to a new position too quickly, the dental tissues and bone will not have had time to fill in and heal from the movement, and the teeth will relapse too easily if the aligners are removed for extended periods.

However, if you wear your aligners for two weeks for 22 hours a day, you allow your teeth and tissue to make solid and safe progress, and you can take your aligners for short periods of time to eat a meal and brush your teeth without fear of relapse.

 

What does this Mean for You?

Because each aligner is worn for two weeks and only includes a certain amount of movement, the movement is safe for the roots of your teeth.

If an aligner gets lost, you can move ahead to the next one, but make sure to wear that one longer to give your teeth time to adjust.

We know you can’t wait for that new smile to be perfected – but follow the instructions and your patience will be rewarded by a healthy and straight smile!

The Do’s and Don’ts of Aligners

DO brush your teeth after every meal (or non-water drink)

Just like with braces, it is important to brush your teeth every time you eat or drink anything other than water, before putting your aligners back in. Travel-size toothbrushes will fit in your pocket or bag, so that you can brush your teeth on the go.

DON’T leave your aligners within reach of children or pets.

Cats like to knock things off of countertops, and they may fall somewhere where they are hard to find. Aligners and cases may look very chewable to dogs, so keep your aligners safely stored.

DON’T use denture cleaner to clean your aligners.

Denture cleaner could eat away at the material. The best way to clean your aligners is by using cool water and some of your Daily White™ Fusion™ that comes with the aligners.

DO wear a night guard if you grind your teeth while sleeping.

Get one that is not molded to your teeth, so that the aligners will still fit.

Invisible Plastic is Better than Catgut

Believe it or not, people have been straightening their teeth for a very long time. But before the development of modern teeth straightening techniques, they had …

 

…Cat Gut!

You read that correctly! The ancient Egyptians used catgut to close gaps in their teeth. Mummies have even been found with wire wrapped around their teeth to keep them straight in the afterlife.

In ancient Rome, they used thin strips of gold wire. Now THAT’S an expensive smile! Any Romans not wealthy enough to afford gold braces used a finger-pressure technique, which involved periodically putting pressure on the teeth to move them. Try doing that for 20-22 hours a day!

 

… Wood, Gold, & Elephant tusks!

With the 1900s came an early version of the braces we see today. Gold was the main material, because it was so malleable. However, gold wire also led to more dental office visits for the same reason.

Other materials used were wood or ivory.

 

Look how far we have come from the days of catgut!  Now, you can use invisible aligners so that no one will even be able to tell that you are straightening your teeth. And our aligners are not as expensive as gold braces, nor as time-consuming as a finger-pressure technique. Click here or Call us to get started today!

Goodies that Come with your Aligners

Your SnapCorrect™, Truly Invisible aligner treatment comes with more than the straight smile of your dreams! With your clear aligners, and aligner use instructions, comes an array of items designed to help you improve your smile even more.

 

The SnapCorrect™ Case and Bag provide a place to store your aligners while you are eating, or brushing and flossing your teeth, or to carry multiple sets of aligners with you while traveling.

 

Your 2-4-month supply of Daily White™ Fusion™ whitening foam adds to the whiteness of your smile. Simply put some foam onto your toothbrush, and brush your teeth. It is also the best thing to clean your aligners with, because it keeps them nice and clear.

 

Running low? Additional bottles of Daily White™ Fusion™ are available for purchase, and you can call us to order.

 

A SnapWhite™ Whitening Kit is also included, and it comes with a coupon code for free whitening gels for life. The kit even comes with a blue whitening accelerant LED light, whitening mouth trays, and a convenient storage case. Now you will have a smile that is not only straight, but beautifully white, too!

 

Remember: You can get a straighter, whiter smile all for the low price of $1849.

Short on cash? No problem – we also have fabulous payment plans for qualifying customers. Check our pricing page for details.

 

With so many options – there’s no reason not to smile!

Replacing a Missing Tooth

Tooth loss is more common with age, but even young people having missing teeth. It is estimated that 178 million Americans have at least one missing tooth.

Some missing teeth may need to be replaced simply to make talking or chewing easier. But if the tooth that is missing does not necessarily impact those things, there may be other reasons why one may need to replace their missing teeth.

 

Prevent the Other Teeth from Shifting

The remaining teeth may shift around to fill the empty space. This may lead to other problems, such as supereruption (erupting too much from the gums), and tooth mobility and sensitivity. In other words, your teeth could stick out too much, be loose, or just plain hurt.

 

Keep your Jaw Bone Healthy

If there is no tooth putting pressure on that place in the jaw bone, bone resorption occurs in that gap. This means you could end up with less bone, so if you were to get an implant at a later date, there would be less bone for your new tooth to get placed into. The same also happens when there are other significant gaps in the teeth.

 

What does this mean for you?

If possible, we suggest you replace that missing tooth. Discuss your options with your dentist.  

 

Can I have invisible aligners if I am missing a tooth?

In many cases the answer is yes. Depending on the placement of your gap, our dental team can leave a space for your missing tooth, where you may get an implant at a later date. Or you may get the implant drilled now, and the cap put on later. Talk to your dentist and our dental team about what may be best for your case.

Can Adults Have Baby Teeth?

Children don’t grow adult teeth right away, because their mouths are simply too small. There are only 20 baby teeth, as children only have one molar and one premolar on either side, and they are smaller than adult teeth. Baby teeth, otherwise known as deciduous teeth, would take up very little space in an adult mouth. Naturally, we have to grow a new set of teeth by the time we reach adulthood.

Most of us are losing the last of our baby teeth by the time we are in our early teens, but some people have at least one remaining baby tooth, even as an adult. The question is, why do some adults still have a baby tooth?

 

The Adult Tooth may be Missing

Most commonly, the reason for a baby tooth to stick around is that there is no adult tooth to push it out. If an adult tooth is not present underneath the baby tooth, the baby tooth’s roots will not loosen.

 

The Baby Tooth may be Fused to the Bone

Sometimes, a baby tooth is still retained even if there is an adult tooth underneath. Usually, this is due to it being fused to the bone. This is called ankylosis. The baby tooth will not fall out on its own, and may cause an adult tooth to grow in beside the baby tooth, so that both are present.

 

If you have a baby tooth as an adult, brush and floss it more regularly than you would your adult teeth. Baby teeth were not meant to last long, and will fall out or develop problems more easily.

Because a baby tooth’s roots are too short to undergo our aligner treatment, make sure you get any baby teeth removed before making your impressions. If your x-rays show an impacted baby tooth, be sure to ask your dentist about aligner treatment, and please contact us about this before making your impressions.  

Treat your Teeth on Valentines Day

Love is in the air -and that includes loving your straight teeth!

Before sinking your teeth into the various tasty treats currently gracing store shelves, here are some examples of candy that would do more harm to your teeth than others.

Gummy candies are one of the biggest offenders, as pieces can stay stuck to your teeth, harming your enamel, until they finally fall off or are removed by brushing and flossing. The bacteria in your mouth loves sugar. The more sugar you have on your teeth, the more acid they release that chews away at your enamel. Yuck!

Hard candies, such as lollipops, stay in your mouth longer while you are consuming them, giving them more time to wreak havoc on your teeth.

Sour candies are filled with citric acid, which can, over time, also cause erosion and tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth already use the sugar in the candy to produce acid, and if that candy contains citric acid, that’s double the exposure to acid!

Want to cater to your “Sweet Tooth”? We recommend sticking to chocolate. What could be more perfect for Valentine’s?

A small piece of chocolate quickly melts away, reducing contact time with your teeth. We also vote for dark chocolate. It has a much lower sugar content, and contains antioxidants and stress reducing compounds.

No matter what delicious desserts you are eating this Valentine’s Day, remember to take out your invisible aligners before eating or drinking anything – and brush your teeth regularly, especially before putting your aligners back in.

Make a Difference in your Life with a Healthy Smile

We all know that your nice straight smile can improve others’ perceptions of you, but there are many ways in which straightening your teeth can improve your health and quality of life.

Not only will you make a better first impression, but you may save yourself a lot of money in dental care in the long run. 

 

Prevent cavities

By straightening your teeth, you reduce the risk of gum disease and cavities. Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, and won’t get as much plaque building up in places that are difficult to clean.

 

Prevent jaw bone loss

When there are spaces in between your teeth, your jaw bone may be losing some of its density. Therefore, straightening your teeth can allow your jaw bone to stay healthy.

 

Avoid breaking your teeth

Teeth that stick out or in, or come together at unusual angles, are more likely to break if you hit your mouth on something. Straight teeth are less likely to be broken.

 

Be happier!

When you smile, nerves in your face are stimulated that make you feel happier. And people with great teeth smile the most. So straighten your teeth with SnapCorrect Truly Invisible Aligners and start showing off those pearly whites.

The History of the Toothbrush

Human beings have been cleaning their teeth for a very long time. The first toothbrushes, used as early as 3500 B.C, were sticks with a frayed end. Dental care has come a long way since then.

 

The First Bristle Toothbrush

The Chinese are credited with the invention of the first bristle toothbrush, which was invented sometime between the 600s and 900s. The bristles were the hairs of hogs, inserted into tiny holes in a stick of bamboo or a piece of bone.

Europeans were still cleaning their teeth with a rag dipped in soot or salt until 1780, when a prisoner brushed his teeth with whatever items he could find in the cell.

Upon his release from prison, he began selling these toothbrushes, only this time, they were made with horsehair and bone. Quite the advancement from what he had to make do with in prison!

 

The Development of Modern Bristles

The nylon toothbrush came along in 1935, invented by a chemist named Wallace Carothers.

This greatly simplified the production of toothbrushes.

 

The History of Toothpaste

Toothpaste has also changed throughout history. The Egyptians were the first to invent toothpaste, using burnt eggshells, powdered ox hooves, and pumice. 

The Romans added more abrasive ingredients such as crushed bones and oyster shells, and the Chinese began adding herbs and salt for more flavor.

In the 1800s, soap became the main ingredient. In the 1850s, chalk was included. It wasn’t until 1945 that the soap and chalk were replaced with sodium and other, smoother ingredients.

 

Hey, Lucky You! We bet your toothbrush isn’t made from horsehair and bone – and you have great tasting toothpaste and easy to use dental floss. So remember brush your teeth after you eat, before putting your aligners back in. It’s very easy, and your aligners will thank you.

 

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5 Reasons to Keep your Cheek Retractor

If you have received your Impression Kit, you have been given a cheek retractor for taking photos of your teeth. You may be wondering what the use is of a cheek retractor once you have already sent us your Smile Selfies. But never fear—the cheek retractor fun doesn’t stop there!

 

Your After Photos

You have a before photo, so why not take an after photo? Once your aligner treatment is complete, use the cheek retractor to send us your Smile Selfies again. Only this time, they will show your fabulous new smile! Send us your before & after pics, and if we use them on our website or social media, we’ll send you a cool gift card!

 

The Cheek Retractor Game

The cheek retractor can be turned into a fun game you can play with your friends. Challenge each other to sing a song or recite a monologue while wearing the cheek retractor.

 

Whiten your Teeth

Whitening your teeth with our free whitening pen involves smiling wide for 60 seconds or more. By applying the cheek retractor, you can make sure to paint all of your teeth with the pen more easily. It will also keep the gel on your teeth better. The same method could also work with our Daily White™ Fusion™.

 

See your Teeth if you Need to

If you think you might have a wisdom tooth growing in, or have chipped a tooth, but you’re not sure, apply the cheek retractor to more easily see what it is. You’ll have a better idea of what the problem is so that you know what to tell the dental office when you call them.

 

Get Creative!

The cheek retractor could help you in all sorts of everyday situations. Walk down the street on a normal day while wearing the cheek retractor, and see what sorts of reactions you get. Use it to scare trespassers. Wear it on Halloween. The ideas are endless!

 

Have any novel ideas? Let us know! Share your genius and pics at snaps@snapcorrect.com!