Invisalign

Having crooked teeth is a common occurrence. While many patients wish to straighten their smile for cosmetic purposes, crooked teeth can also be harmful to your oral and overall health. Having crooked teeth puts you at an increased risk of developing tooth decay, cavities, and periodontal disease (gum disease). It can also create malocclusion (bite problems) that can lead to bruxism (jaw clenching and teeth grinding) and temporomandibular joint disorder. 

With modern dentistry, we offer a variety of treatment options that are designed to straighten a patient's teeth to improve the look and comfort of their smile in addition to their oral health. One of the most popular options for addressing crooked teeth and malocclusion is Invisalign. 

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear, plastic aligner trays to gradually shift a person's teeth in the optimal positions and arrangement. 

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign uses a system of custom-designed aligner trays that fit snuggly over a patient's top and bottom rows of teeth. Worn for 20 to 22 hours a day for about one or two weeks, each set of trays is designed to move the patient's teeth about 1/10 of a millimeter closer to the desired final position. This gradual shift occurs comfortably. Once the patient has finished wearing the final set of aligner trays, their teeth will be in a beautifully straight and wonderfully comfortable, desired arrangement. 

The Advantages of Choosing Invisalign

Invisalign offers patients many benefits over traditional, metal braces, and these benefits are why teeth straightening with the Invisalign system has become so popular. 

Comfortable to Wear

The top reason why most patients prefer Invisalign is comfort. Invisalign's aligner trays are made from a smooth plastic material that is comfortable to wear and smooth against the soft tissues inside the mouth such as your lips, cheeks, and tongue. Metal braces, on the hand, can be rough and result in sores and discomfort on the soft tissues. 

Discreet Treatment

Unlike traditional braces that use metal and wires, Invisalign's clear aligner trays are virtually invisible when you're wearing them. So, you can wear them and straighten your teeth without the world noticing you're undergoing orthodontic treatment. 

Continue Enjoying Your Favorite Foods and Activities

With metal braces, patients have to avoid hard or overly sticky foods and also sometimes need to avoid participating in certain physical activities that could harm their braces. 

Invisalign's clear aligner trays can be removed during meals which means you can continue enjoying all of your favorite foods no matter how sticky or hard they might be. You can also continue participating in all of your usual athletic activities. 

Easy Care

Traditional, metal braces typically require the addition of new steps and tools to your regular oral hygiene routine. With Invisalign, you can continue caring for your teeth as you normally would. Simply remove your aligner trays twice a day for brushing and flossing and then put the aligners back on once you're finished. 

What to Expect During Your Treatment

Treatment begins with a consultation. At this appointment, our dentist assesses your oral health and determines whether or not Invisalign is the right treatment option for you. We then begin creating your personalized Invisalign treatment plan by taking detailed digital images and impressions of your teeth and designing a treatment pathway and outcome. 

We send your specifications and treatment information to Invisalign, and they then prepare your treatment system. Once your set of aligner trays is ready, we'll schedule you for another appointment. At this time, we'll introduce you to your treatment system and provide you with instructions for use and wear. 

You'll then need to follow your schedule closely and visit our office for routine checkups where we'll monitor your progress and results. Each patient's treatment plan with Invisalign is slightly different, and the length of treatment depends on your starting point and expected results. On average, treatment with Invisalign lasts about 12 to 18 months. 

Find Out If Invisalign Is Right for You

Invisalign is recommended for addressing mild to moderate alignment concerns. More severe malocclusion or teeth straightening might require a different orthodontic treatment approach. Additionally, since closely following your treatment plan is essential to achieving positive results, Invisalign is recommended for patients who are at least 16 years of age. 

If you're experiencing discomfort related to malocclusion or temporomandibular joint disorder or if you'd simply like a straighter, more symmetrical smile, then we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our dentist. We can examine your teeth, talk with you about your symptoms and orthodontic goals, and help you determine the best course of treatment to help you achieve your smile dreams. To learn more, we welcome you to contact our office today.

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