With proper wear and care, clear aligners generally retain their transparent appearance without severe staining or discoloration. However, there are some factors that can contribute to slight aligner discoloration over time:
- Consumption of dark or strongly pigmented foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, berries, tomato sauce, and curry. Removing aligners when consuming these items helps prevent staining.
- Smoking or vaping with aligners in. Chemicals accumulate, causing yellowing.
- Poor oral hygiene leading to plaque, tartar, and bacteria buildup that adhere to aligner surface.
- Extended aligner wear beyond normal replacement schedule. Older aligners show more wear.
- Use of abrasive teeth whiteners that erode aligner plastic.
Can clear aligners correct overbites and underbites?
With diligent aligner cleaning, limiting discoloring food/drinks, avoiding smoking with aligners in, and changing trays as scheduled, you can keep aligners looking crystal clear as new. Consult your orthodontist if any cloudiness or yellowing occurs to assess if new trays are needed.
