Get Straighter Teeth with Clear Aligners With 50% Less Wear Time
Providing our patients straighter teeth is one of the more popular dental services we offer. We do this with clear aligners – also referred to as invisible braces.
Clear aligners are orthodontic devices that perform the same function as traditional braces. Clear aligners correct your teeth alignment and give you a straighter smile over a period of time. They’re called a “clear aligner” because they are made of clear plastic that is nearly invisible to others.
AirFlex Clear Aligners – 50% Less Wear Time Compared to Traditional Aligners
OrthoFX AirFlex Clear Aligners – Patented Clear Aligners That You Only Have to Wear 12 Hours a Day – instead of the 20+ Hours Daily Required by Many Other Clear Aligners
This is in stark contrast to traditional metal braces or ceramic braces. Metal brackets stick out like a sore thumb, and while ceramic braces with ceramic brackets blend in a little bit better with your tooth color – they’re still clearly visible, as is the metal wire connecting each ceramic bracket.
Clear aligners are also superior to lingual braces which are placed on the inside of your teeth. While lingual braces are less noticeable than traditional braces, they can become uncomfortable and irritate your tongue – especially when placed on your lower teeth.
At our Fort Collins office, we provide our patients with straighter teeth using OrthoFX AirFlex Clear aligners. They’re clear and less noticeable than braces since you only wear these custom aligners at night. They’re also custom aligners that are made specifically for your teeth. So they’re much more comfortable than traditional braces.
OrthoFX Patient Testimonials
What Are OrthoFX AirFlex Aligners?
AirFlex Aligners are a new type of clear aligner from OrthoFX. You only need to wear them for 9 to 12 hours each day, not the 20+ hours per day that is recommended by both SureSmile aligners and those undergoing Invisalign treatment.
The Science Behind AirFlex Technology
AirFlex aligners feature Hyper-Elasticity. This means they bend back to shape better than regular aligners. The special polymer mix keeps strong but gentle force on your teeth during your clear aligner treatment.
AirFlex also incorporates a smart multi shell design that puts the right amount of force on your teeth to move misaligned teeth to the desired position over time. Other aligners use significantly more force than needed, which can hurt – and can make it less likely that you’ll want to consistently follow your clear aligner therapy regimen.
Dental Problems that Ortho FX Effectively Treats
Overbite
An overbite, also known as a deep bite, occurs when the upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower front teeth when the mouth is closed.
Overbite Dental Health Risks
Not treating an overbite can lead to several dental health related risks, including:
- Tooth Damage & Wear – Excessive overlap can cause uneven wear on teeth, leading to chipping, cracking, or enamel erosion.
- Jaw Pain & TMJ Disorders – An untreated overbite can strain the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), leading to pain, headaches, and difficulty chewing.
- Gum Disease & Cavities – Misaligned teeth can be harder to clean, increasing the risk of plaque buildup, cavities, and even gum disease.
- Speech Problems – Pronunciation difficulties and lisping can occur due to improper tongue positioning.
Fixing Your Overbite with OrthoFX AirFlex
Orthofx AirFlex will gradually move your teeth into alignment over a period of months, eliminating your overbite and improving both function and aesthetics.
For more info, check out our blog post about Overbites
Crossbite
A crossbite is a dental misalignment where one or more of the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth, which can occur in the front or back of the mouth. This condition can lead to uneven wear on teeth, jaw discomfort, and issues with proper chewing and speaking.
Crossbite Dental Health Risks
Not treating a cross bite can result in the same dental health risks as an overbite (tooth damage and wear, jaw pain and TMJ disorders, gum disease and speech problems). An additional risk associated with a crossbite is that uneven jaw development may result in facial asymmetry issues.
Fixing Your Overbite with OrthoFX AirFlex
Orthofx AirFlex offers an effective solution for treating crossbites through its advanced clear aligner technology that gradually shifts the teeth into their correct positions to eliminate your crossbite.
For more info, check out our blog post about Crossbites
Underbite
An underbite is a type of dental misalignment where the lower front teeth extend beyond the upper front teeth when the mouth is closed. This condition can result from various factors, including genetics, jaw growth discrepancies, or prolonged thumb sucking during childhood. An underbite can lead to functional issues such as difficulty in chewing, speech problems, and increased wear on teeth, as well as aesthetic concerns that may affect a person’s confidence.
Underbite Dental Health Risks
Not treating an underbite can result in the same dental health risks as a crossbite (tooth damage and wear, jaw pain and TMJ disorders, Gum disease, facial asymmetry issues, and speech problems).
Fixing Your Overbite with OrthoFX AirFlex
With its consistent gentle pressure, Orthofx AirFlex clear aligners gradually align your teeth over time and eliminate your crossbite.
For more info, check out our blog post about Underbites
Gap Teeth
Gap teeth, also known as diastema, refer to spaces or gaps that occur between two or more teeth, often seen in the front teeth. This condition can arise due to various factors, including genetics, the size of teeth in relation to the jawbone, or habits such as thumb sucking
Gap Teeth Dental Health Risks
Not treating gap teeth can result in the same dental health risks as a crossbite (tooth damage and wear, jaw pain and TMJ disorders, gum disease, facial asymmetry issues, and speech problems). Gum disease is a particular concern as large gaps can expose more gum tissue which can lead to disease. Gaps also encourage teeth shifting over time which can eventually lead to additional bite issues and crowded teeth.
Fixing Your Gap Teeth with OrthoFX AirFlex
Orthofx AirFlex offers a practical solution for treating gap teeth through its advanced clear aligner system. The aligners are able to gradually move teeth closer together, effectively closing the gaps over a period of months.
Open Bite
An open bite is a dental condition where you have a lack of vertical overlap between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed, resulting in a space or gap that prevents the front teeth from making contact. This condition can occur in the front teeth or the back teeth. Causes vary and include prolonged thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or jaw development issues.
Open Bite Dental Health Risks
Not treating an open bite can result in the same dental health risks as many other bite related issues including: tooth damage and wear, jaw pain and TMJ disorders, Gum disease, facial asymmetry issues, and speech problems.
Fixing Your Open Bite with OrthoFX AirFlex
Orthofx AirFlex applies gentle pressure to your teeth over time, helping to close the gap and improve the bite. The result is that your teeth will be properly aligned and your open bite will disappear.
Crooked Teeth
Crooked teeth refer to teeth that are misaligned or out of position, resulting in an uneven smile. This condition can manifest as overlapping, rotated, or spaced teeth and can be caused by various factors, including genetics, early loss of baby teeth, or habits such as thumb sucking. Crooked teeth not only affect the aesthetics of a person’s smile but can also lead to oral health issues, including difficulties in cleaning the teeth properly, increased risk of cavities, and jaw discomfort.
Crooked Teeth Dental Health Risks
Not treating crooked teeth can result in an increased risk of the following dental health issues: tooth damage and wear, jaw pain and TMJ disorders, Gum disease, facial asymmetry issues, and speech problems.
Fixing Your Crooked Teeth with OrthoFX AirFlex
Orthofx AirFlex shifts crooked teeth over a matter of months into their correct positions, enhancing both teeth alignment and overall dental health.
Getting Started with OrthoFX
Getting started with OrthoFX AirFlex involves a straightforward process designed to ensure that you receive personalized treatment tailored to your specific orthodontic needs.
Assessment: Dental Exam
The first step is to schedule an initial consultation to set up a dental exam at our office in Fort Collins. Dr. Murphy will be able to properly evaluate your teeth and bite and identify any dental problems that you may have. He will likely take digital scans and x-rays to get a better idea of your teeth alignment and overall dental health.
Generally speaking, patients that have been going regularly to the dentist and maintaining their overall oral health are likely good candidates for OrthoFX AirFlex. Patients with active periodontal disease or active tooth decay may or may not be a good candidate for OrthoFX clear aligners.
Treatment Plan
After the dental office assessment determines that you’re a candidate for OrthoFX, Dr. Murphy will create a customized treatment plan specifically for you. This plan outlines the specific movements needed to achieve the desired results and includes the design of the clear aligners.
Total time of treatment typically lasts anywhere from six to 18 months depending on your dental condition and overall goals. You must consistently wear your aligners according to Dr. Murphy’s instructions and come in for the periodic dental appointments (described below) in order to achieve your desired results.
Using advanced 3D imaging technology, the aligners are then fabricated to fit your teeth precisely. After the aligners are ready, you will receive their first set and instructions on how to wear them, typically for 9 to 12 hours a day, changing to a new set every one to two weeks, as directed by Dr. Murphy.
Periodic Dental Appointments
Regular follow-up appointments – around every 6-8 weeks – will be scheduled to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Post Treatment
At the end of your treatment, you’ll have a brand new smile and much improved teeth alignment. To maintain your new smile, as part of the treatment plan, you’ll wear a retainer to prevent your teeth from shifting. The retainer will be worn according to Dr. Murphy’s instructions.
OrthoFX AirFlex Aligners Cost
OrthoFX AirFlex aligners cost between $3,500 to $5,500 for full treatment. Exact prices change based on treatment length and case difficulty. Your treatment includes all aligners needed during active treatment. The price covers doctor visits and check-ups too. Many dental plans offer partial coverage for aligners. OrthoFX works with FSA and HSA accounts to help with costs. Many dental insurance companies will cover at least some of the cost of OrthoFX
