Crooked teeth can be both embarrassing and contribute to poor oral health. Food can hide in the odd places between crooked teeth, eventually causing plaque buildup and cavities.
We care about the way dental procedures affect the rest of your life. That is why we are so excited about Invisalign, which is an alternative to braces.
Why Invisalign?
Our patients, especially working professionals, tend to prefer this option because Invisalign is more aesthetically pleasing, requires less maintenance than braces, and may be a better lifestyle fit.
Rather than installing metal hardware, which some patients find cumbersome and unattractive, Invisalign is a clear tray that fits over your teeth. It is far less noticeable than braces.
Because the trays are removable, your lifestyle is largely unaffected by your treatment. A key concern for patients with braces is participation in sports and recreational activities.
Should a patient sustain a mouth injury, the braces can cause additional damage as well as be damaged themselves. This could result in an emergency visit. The use of Invisalign trays eliminates this concern because trays can be removed before the activity and returned to the teeth afterwards.
How Does Invisalign Work?
In order to determine whether you are a candidate for Invisalign, we will do a thorough exam and take X-rays. If you are a good candidate, BPA-free trays will be made for you by Invisalign.
Each tray is designed to make gradual changes to the positions of your teeth. Trays are rotated every 1–2 weeks. Examinations will be necessary to monitor the progress of the trays, usually every 6–8 weeks.
You will need to remove the trays before eating to keep them from being damaged or discolored. Brushing is especially important before placing the trays back onto your teeth to keep your aligners in good condition. You should also rinse and brush them daily to keep them clean.
The Daily Invisalign Experience
For the first few days of each stage of your treatment, you may feel minor discomfort as your teeth get used to the added pressure, similar to what traditional braces patients experience after adjustments. This is perfectly normal and a sign that the aligners are doing their job.
The difference is that with Invisalign, you may be tempted to take the aligners off to relieve the pressure. Resist that temptation, because it will delay your results! You should wear your aligners at all times during your treatment, except during meals and snacks and while brushing and flossing your teeth. Wearing them less often will make your treatment take longer.
Potential patients often ask if Invisalign will make it difficult to speak clearly. Most patients experience very little difficulty with speaking clearly while wearing their aligners, but there will likely be an adjustment period as you get used to having them in your mouth.
Caring for Your Trays
To clean your aligners, brush and rinse them in lukewarm water and use Invisalign Cleaning Crystals or special cleaning tablets. Make sure you’re also brushing and flossing after each meal before you re-insert your aligners.
One of the best advantages of Invisalign over traditional wire braces is that there is no banned foods list! As long as you are brushing and flossing before putting your aligners back in, you can enjoy all your favorite foods without compromising your orthodontic treatment!
Gum can stick to your aligners, so it’s not a good idea to chew it while they’re in. Take your aligners out for all meals and snacks. We also discourage smoking during treatment, as it can stain and discolor the aligners, as well as put you at risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Invisalign Versus Other Products
Invisalign is an excellent choice for your orthodontic treatment. It is a trusted brand in invisible aligners, and you’ll love the freedom of being able to take your aligners out to eat and brush your teeth. You can even view your virtual treatment plan before beginning and get a preview of what your smile will look like at the end!
Retainers After Invisalign
Retainers are crucial at the end of any orthodontic treatment, whether you’re using Invisalign or traditional wire braces because it takes time for teeth to get used to their new positions. Make sure to wear your retainers as directed by the doctor.
How White Mountain Dental Can Help
For those patients that do not want traditional braces, Drs. Gulati and McCormack recommend Invisalign. Invisalign doesn’t work for all types of orthodontic problems, but it’s an excellent solution for patients with dental crowding or other alignment problems if they would prefer not to get traditional braces.
Invisalign is an excellent way to improve your smile while balancing every other aspect of your life. The clear plastic aligners are nearly invisible, allowing you to confidently show off your smile while straightening your teeth. We want to help determine whether or not Invisalign is right for you.
Call us today or email us to set up a smile consultation, and make sure to check the map for directions before you head our way.