Tooth positioner before and after
A tooth positioner or clear aligner guides a tooth toward a planned position; movement depends on diagnosis and available space.
The short answer
A tooth positioner is usually an orthodontic appliance or clear aligner that guides a tooth toward a planned position; the change depends on diagnosis and available space.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
The appliance applies controlled force to the crown while the periodontal ligament and surrounding bone remodel. Photographs, scans, bite records, and sometimes radiographs define the movement.
What can you do next?
Bring previous orthodontic records and ask for measured treatment objectives. Wear a removable appliance as prescribed, clean it and your teeth, and attend reviews.
When should you seek dental care?
Seek care if the appliance no longer fits, a tooth is painful or loose, the gum recedes, or a wire or attachment injures the cheek.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask what movement is planned for the crown and root, whether space must be created, and what retention is required.
Frequently asked questions
Can symptoms alone identify the cause?
They suggest possibilities, but an examination and sometimes imaging establish the cause.
What treatment is usually considered?
Treatment is chosen after the dentist identifies the cause and the affected tissues.