ClearCorrect – Crown Point, IN

Crowded Teeth

When teeth don’t have enough room, they overlap and twist, making cleaning more difficult and increasing the risk of decay or gum disease. ClearCorrect aligners apply steady, gentle force to create needed space and guide teeth into better alignment. After treatment you’ll notice benefits like less painful biting and chewing, and easier oral care.

Gaps Between Teeth

Spaces between teeth can occur due to jaw size, missing teeth, or natural spacing patterns. While some see gaps as a cosmetic issue, they can also trap food and affect your bite. ClearCorrect works by gradually closing these spaces, drawing teeth closer together for a more uniform appearance. The result is a balanced, functional, and confident smile.

Overbite

An overbite happens when the upper front teeth extend too far over the lower teeth, which can cause wear, jaw strain, or difficulty biting into food. ClearCorrect aligners use controlled pressure to reduce any excessive overlap and bring your teeth into a healthy alignment. With Dr. Ornelas’ guidance, these clear aligners, along with accessories like engagers and elastics, can deliver results that improve every aspect of your smile.

Underbite

When your lower teeth sit in front of the upper ones, it’s called an underbite. This condition is typically caused by genetics or oral trauma, and can interfere with chewing, speech, and jaw comfort. ClearCorrect aligners are designed to work with elastics to gradually shift your lower teeth back or the upper teeth forward.

Crossbite

A crossbite occurs when upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth instead of outside, which can lead to uneven wear, chipping, or gum problems. ClearCorrect aligners work to gently reposition the misaligned teeth, bringing them into a proper upper-lower relationship. Correcting a crossbite can enhance both the comfort of your bite and the long-term health of your smile.

Open Bite

An open bite is when your front teeth don’t touch even when the back teeth are fully closed, often caused by habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. This can make biting into food difficult and even affect speech. ClearCorrect aligners can gradually close the gap by guiding the front teeth into contact.

Nearly Invisible Aligners

Of course, one of the biggest perks is in the name: ClearCorrect. While traditional braces come with noticeable brackets and wires, ClearCorrect aligners are see-through. So, no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile when you wear them. Plus, if an occasion does arise when you want to feel your absolute best, like a first date, you can always take them off (just make sure to wear them for at least 20 hours).

No Soft Tissue Irritation

 

Another considerable benefit is that the aligners are smooth. In other words, they won’t irritate the soft tissue in your mouth. Not only that, but they won’t slip when you’re speaking since they are custom-made to fit the contours of your mouth perfectly. Simply put, your journey to a straighter smile will be considerably more comfortable overall.

Ability to Eat Your Favorite Foods

 

Since too much pressure can cause the brackets and wires to break, patients with traditional braces are asked to eliminate crunchy and sticky foods from their diet, like raw carrots, whole apples, and hard pretzels. ClearCorrect doesn’t come with the same dietary restrictions because the aligners are removable. That said, it is still important to exercise caution with foods that are tougher in consistency and not to overindulge on sugary and starchy treats.

Less Time in the Treatment Chair

 

If you have a busy semester ahead, you’re a new parent, or you work a lot of overtime, attending monthly adjustment appointments may not be realistic. If that’s the case, you’ll be happy to hear that there are significantly fewer progress visits with ClearCorrect. So, in addition to enjoying more aesthetically-pleasing aligners, you’ll spend less time in the treatment chair overall if you choose this orthodontic treatment.

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

 

The average treatment timeline with ClearCorrect is around 12-18 months. Conversely, the average treatment timeline with traditional braces is 2-3 years. So, if you want a straight smile for your wedding, a dream vacation, a milestone birthday, or another important event, you should consider this innovative orthodontic treatment!

Hassle-Free Dental Care

 

This perk is often overlooked. However, getting to continue your usual oral hygiene regimen and not having to buy special oral hygiene products should not be overlooked. Simply put, keeping your teeth and gums healthy with ClearCorrect is significantly easier because the aligners are removable; just take them off and proceed with your dental care regimen as usual.

 

 

Wearing Your Trays

In order to stay on track with your treatment plan, you need to wear your trays for a minimum of 20 hours a day, every day. If you’re having trouble meeting this goal, try setting aside 45 minutes for each meal, and use the stopwatch on your phone as a guide. You can also set reminders on your phone so you remember to put your aligners back on as soon as you’re done eating or brushing your teeth!

Cleaning Your Aligners

Good news: cleaning your aligners is very simple. In fact, there’s a good chance you already have the two things you need: a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear antibacterial soap! Use these twice a day to remove saliva, food particles, and other debris from the surface. If you start to notice stubborn stains or an unpleasant smell surfacing, then soak them for 15 minutes or so each day in a dentist-approved clear aligner cleaner.

Eating & Drinking

Since ClearCorrect aligners are removable, you don’t need to completely eliminate any foods from your diet. You do, however, need to limit your intake of sweets that are packed with added sugar, like lollipops, ice cream, and taffy. After all, damaged trays aren’t the only orthodontic emergency that can derail your treatment plan; tooth decay, gum disease, and other common oral health problems can lead to significant delays as well.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Losing or damaging a tray can also cause you to fall off track with your treatment plan. That’s why it’s so important to do what you can to prevent either from happening, like putting yours in their designated case anytime you aren’t wearing them. If something unexpected happens, like you accidentally misplace them, then call our Crown Point dental team ASAP so we can determine how to get you back on track.

Attending Progress Visits

Periodically during your ClearCorrect treatment, you’ll return to our office so Dr. Ornelas can monitor the movement of your teeth. If they are progressing as anticipated, then your visit should be pretty short. Of course, if that’s not the case, then we will need a little more time to make the necessary adjustments to your treatment plan to get you back on track.

 

 

Factors That Affect the Cost of ClearCorrect

At your consultation, Dr. Ornelas will conduct a comprehensive oral exam after learning about your smile goals and dental history. Then, he can determine:

• If any preliminary treatments are needed
• How complex your case is
• How many aligners are needed
• If orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands, are necessary
• The type of retainer needed

With all of this information, he can create your custom treatment plan and provide you with an estimate of the cost. As we mentioned above, we will also review the available financial solutions at this time so the price isn’t a stressor.

ClearCorrect vs. Mail-In Aligners: Which Costs More?

Mail-in aligners are almost always cheaper. That’s largely because the aligners are crafted from DIY impressions, there typically aren’t licensed dental professionals overseeing the treatment process, and there is nowhere to turn if something goes wrong. That’s why it’s worth investing in ClearCorrect, even if the upfront price is higher.

Does Dental Insurance Cover ClearCorrect?

You might be surprised, but some dental insurance providers do cover a portion of the cost of clear aligner treatment. So, take a look at your plan! If you need any help with this process, let us know! We’re proud to be in-network with Delta Premier, and we welcome out-of-network plans too. In both cases, we can provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses, handle the paperwork on your behalf, and answer any questions you have about the cost along the way.

Options for Making ClearCorrect Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, that’s okay – that’s not the only financial solution available. At our Crown Point office, we also welcome CareCredit, which is a trusted third-party financier. As a result, you don’t have to pay for the entire cost of ClearCorrect at once; you can space out the cost into smaller chunks that work with your budget. We also have an in-house membership plan that helps you save on everything from preventive care to cosmetic dentistry, so don’t hesitate to ask us for further details regarding that as well!