Posts Tagged ‘braces’

Invisalign Overview – How Invisalign Works to Straighten Teeth

Many people want to get straighter teeth, but the inconvenience and embarrassment over wearing metal brackets and the discomfort from traditional orthodontic work cause many to put off or rethink that decision. Invisalign presents a great alternative. Invisalign uses nearly invisible aligners to gently move your teeth into position. No metal is used and each aligner is custom made to fit your mouth. They work with a series of trays that gradually shift your teeth into place. Each tray is manufactured to be incrementally straighter than the previous one, generally by only 0.25mm each. Every two weeks, you get a new set of aligners. This slowly moves your teeth into their ideal place. All you have to do is insert the tray! You can forget the old days of uncomfortable and ugly brackets. Invisalign aligners are clear and hardly noticeable which means that they are a perfect option for adults and teens who want to straighten their smile without drawing attention to it.

The Three Steps to Getting a New Smile

Invisalign aligners take three simple steps to acquire.  First, meet with your doctor and get a preview of your new smile. Using a special scanner, your doctor can take a fast and precise 3D scan of your mouth and then map out a treatment plan that is customized for you.  You can also take the smile assessment on the Invisalign website to see if Invisalign is the right option for your needs.  This step is key to setting yourself up for success. Your doctor will ensure that your aligners fit well and they will answer any questions and give you an overview of the treatment. Second, you will begin wearing the aligners and have regular check-ins with your doctor. Continue this routine uninterrupted until the treatment has been completed. Depending on the complexity of the case, Invisalign aligners could transform your mouth in as little as 6 months, but you can expect to see results within a few weeks. Finally, by maintaining your smile with good oral hygiene and potentially with the help of a retainer, you can ensure that your smile shines for many years to come. Invisalign offers its own brand of a retainer, but you can always work with your dentist to see what options best work for you.  Be sure that you are seeing a dentist or orthodontist that is trained in Invisalign. These specialists need to attend a series of instructional sessions and continue with ongoing training. Because of the deep knowledge that is required to successfully treat patients using Invisalign, it is important to see trained specialists like those at Golden Smiles Dental.

Treatment Timeline for Invisalign

For the average adult, the treatment timeline tends to be around 12 months. This varies depending on how complex each case is. Teens may have a more complex and variable timeline.  All patients will work closely with your dentist to develop a treatment plan that is customized to your individual needs.  Additionally, sometimes the dentist will use small attachments to help perfect your smile. These are tooth-colored bumps that can be placed on the teeth in order to help the aligner grip the teeth and create the desired movement.

What Can Invisalign Fix?

What makes Invisalign so special is just how many dental problems it can fix. From gaps in teeth, to over or underbites, to teeth crowding, your dentist can create a special Invisalign aligner just for your mouth. Getting a mouth of straight and aligned teeth is not only good for your confidence, but also for your health. Gapped teeth can leave the gums unprotected and this can cause or make worse periodontal disease. Overbites and underbites can lead to stress on the jaw and joint problems, while overcrowded teeth can lead to plaque accumulation as well as greater difficulty in maintaining the teeth. This can lead to cavities. Invisalign can address all of these issues so that you are able to have the best oral health possible.

Does Invisalign Prevent Me From Eating My Favorite Foods?

Luckily, Invisalign aligners can be removed while eating. This means that you can go about your normal routine without much inconvenience. You simply remove them in the morning and in the evening to clean them. Simply brush them like you brush your teeth!  Remove your aligners when you eat as well. You never have to worry about food being stuck in wires or brackets. Invisalign can actually keep your teeth cleaner as you can maintain your normal oral health routine while aligning your teeth.  And for those athletes out there, you can remove your Invisalign and wear a mouthguard! Just be sure to replace them after the game. One of the best features of the Invisalign system is that you can see the progress of your smile as it happens. You never have to wonder how your teeth will look when the plan is finished!  Additionally, your mouth won’t be irritated by the metal braces. You don’t have to apply messy wax to the braces to prevent them from scratching and cutting the insides of your cheeks.  While the first few days of each treatment stage can be a little uncomfortable, Invisalign is a far easier choice to deal with. The discomfort is generally described as a kind of pressure.

After the Invisalign Treatment

When you have finished reaching your perfect smile, your doctor will likely recommend retainers. This is the same as if you were getting traditional braces or invisible aligners. Retainers are needed to keep the teeth in place after the treatment.  You also need to maintain good oral health. This means brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Be sure to follow any further recommendations made by your dentist following your treatment.  If you think Invisalign aligners are for you, and you live in the Rancho Cucamonga, CA area, give Golden Smiles Dental a call for your consultation at  (909) 481-8990. Our expert team will be more than happy to answer your questions.