mcallen Orthodontics

ClearCorrect is an alternative to traditional metal braces. Instead of wires and brackets attached to your teeth that need to be adjusted regularly, ClearCorrect uses a series of clear aligners. During your first appointment, Dr. Muñoz will take images and scans of your mouth and send the information to ClearCorrect, where your aligners will be custom-made.
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Once your aligners are created and they arrive at our office, you can start wearing them to gradually straighten your smile with invisible treatment! You’ll wear each set of aligners for at least 22 hours per day, progressing through each step until your treatment is complete.

Unlike traditional metal braces that use wires and brackets, ClearCorrect liners are more comfortable, removable, and discreet!

The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on the extent of your case and which treatment you decide on. During an orthodontic consultation, Dr. Muñoz will assess your smile and offer honest advice about treatment. Once you choose an option, he will discuss your budget and direct you to resources to ensure that you get quality orthodontic treatment at a reasonable price.

Caring for your ClearCorrect aligners is not difficult but will take compliance and a reliable memory. It’s important to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day. However, you will need to take your aligners out to eat, drink anything other than water, or clean your teeth.
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When you take your aligners out, rinse them out with cool or lukewarm water and store them in their proper storage case so they don’t get lost or damaged. You should never use hot water to clean them or consume hot foods or beverages while wearing your aligners because heat can warp the aligners, causing them to change shape and affecting their ability to properly shift your teeth.
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No foods should be consumed while wearing your aligners. Always remember to take them out first. After you have eaten and consumed any beverages, brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in. Food particles and bacteria left behind on your teeth can become trapped in your aligners, which can cause staining and increase your risk of tooth decay.
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To clean your aligners, use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently scrub all surfaces of the aligners with denture or retainer cleaner, antibacterial soap, or non-abrasive toothpaste. You should scrub your aligners at least twice a day and soak them in denture cleaner for 20 minutes at least once a week. Do not soak your aligners in mouthwash, as it can stain the aligners.

You do not need to avoid any foods or drinks during your orthodontic treatment, but you do need to remember to remove your aligners before consuming them. The only thing that is okay to consume while wearing your aligners is water (as long as it’s not hot). 
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You also need to avoid consuming hot liquids while wearing your aligners since these can warp the shape of your aligners. It may be preferable to limit hot beverages to the early morning and reduce frequent snacking so you aren’t removing your aligners too frequently.
 
The aligners can be removed for up to 2 hours a day and any more than this can impact the effectiveness of your treatment. However, as long as you wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day and remember to remove them when consuming foods and beverages, you can eat or drink whatever you’d like.

A good candidate for orthodontic treatment is someone who has minor to moderate crooked teeth, an under or overbite, gaps in the teeth, or overcrowding. The patient also needs to be self-motivated and compliant with wearing their aligners for the recommended 22 hours per day.
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If the patient cannot abide by wearing their aligners or remember to take them out to eat or clean their teeth, they may not be a good candidate. Patients with other oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease will also not be good candidates unless they have these issues treated first.
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ClearCorrect can be combined with engagers (which are tooth-colored buttons or attachments) and elastics to correct more severe malocclusions such as an improper bite. However, severe alignment issues may be better suited for metal braces. The best way to determine if you’re a good candidate for orthodontic treatment is to contact us at North Park Dental and schedule a consultation with Dr. Ricardo Munoz.