Different types of clear aligners and how to choose what kind is best for you.

These days, many people are trying to make up for missing time after almost two years of little in-person socializing. There are numerous events to attend, new Broadway shows to see, and dinner and drinks with friends to finally celebrate all those birthdays. It’s now all in-person so there is no surprise that we want to look and feel our best. At our practice, we are seeing patients of all ages coming in and asking about straightening their teeth for aesthetic reasons as well as functional considerations. I have directed 99% of them towards clear aligners.   

There are a number of unnoticeable forms of teeth straightening that are taking over today’s market, Invisalign, Tréz, and Brace being the most recognized ones. I use both Invisalign and Tréz at JKDDS and there is one main difference: Invisalign trays utilize tooth colored attachments, or "buttons" to help move teeth or stabilize the tray. Tréz doesn’t have any of those attachments because they have increased the size of the aligner to now cover the gum, as opposed to Invisalign, which doesn’t cover the gum tissue.

Direct-to-consumer is another option, and these methods of treatments are appealing due to their ease and affordability, but I’m not an advocate of these home systems because around 30 percent of patients need to go back into a dentist’s office to finish the job or correct what those trays have moved.

Ultimately, you want your dentist to point you towards the system that would work best for you.