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Invisalign®
Many people don’t want braces because they don’t want the look of metal in their mouth, especially if they are working professionals. Once adults enter the workforce, they may fear that they may never be able to correct their crooked smiles. Well, the days of feeling that way are over! Invisalign® offers a nearly invisible aligning system that will correct a crooked smile discreetly with no metal.
Realigning your smile with Invisalign® is easy. To begin, patients will have a series of custom aligning trays made by their dentist or orthodontist. These trays allow patients to switch out the trays every few weeks at the direction of their dentist as their teeth begin to realign. Not only is Invisalign discreet, but the aligning trays can be temporarily removed for short periods of time to allow for even more patient control. People who have straightened their teeth with Invisalign rave about the treatment and commonly see stunning results.
What kind of bite problems can Invisalign® correct?
There is no benefit to metal braces over Invisalign® when it comes to bite corrections. In fact, the only real difference between these two treatments is that Invisalign is nearly invisible and can be removed for eating or special occasions. This allows more patient comfort overall.
Invisalign® can correct many orthodontic and dental issues, such as:
- Overcrowding – When there is too little space in the mouth for new, adult teeth or molars to grow straight, they begin to overcrowd other teeth, forcing them to impact each other and misalign. Overcrowding can cause tooth decay and increase the likelihood of gum disease.
- Large gaps between teeth – Whether because of a permanently missing tooth, genetics, or jaw alignment issues.
- Crossbite – This common dental problem occurs when one or multiple upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. As a consequence, uneven wear can lead to bone erosion and gum disease.
- Overbite – This problem occurs when the upper teeth project further than, or completely cover, the lower teeth. Eventually, jaw pain and TMJ may occur.
- Underbite – This is the inverse of the overbite; the lower teeth project further than, or completely cover the upper teeth. Eventually, jaw pain and TMJ can occur.
What advantages does Invisalign® offer over traditional braces and veneers?
With the last 20 years of modern dental and orthodontic advancements, treatments like traditional dental braces, Invisalign® aligning trays, and dental veneers are all able to completely change and realign your smile and improve your overall dental health. Not every option is perfect for everyone and there are many things to think about when it comes to deciding which one may be right for you and your unique lifestyle and situation.
Invisalign® differs from traditional braces in a couple of ways. First, they are nearly invisible to the naked eye and the aligning trays are fully removable. While this gives the patient more control over the straightening of their teeth, this also means that more discipline and commitment is required from the patient. Given this, Invisalign is a great option for adults and older adolescents that understand how Invisalign works and what is required. Almost identical results can be obtained by using either treatment.
Invisalign® and Veneers are very different and are used to accomplish different goals. While Invisalign will actually straighten a crooked smile and correct many orthodontic issues, Veneers are thin sheets of resin that cover the tooth/teeth to prevent damage or strengthen weak teeth. Veneers are not able to straighten or correct bit issues.
What does Invisalign® treatment involve?
When considering Invisalign, the first step is a consultation with your dentist. This consultation will allow the dental provider the opportunity to create an initial treatment plan and schedule the patient for their aligning trays. To get these, a three-dimensional digital x-ray will be taken of the entire jaw. The dentist or orthodontist will be able to use these images to predict what the jaw may look like in the future and what the face may look like in the years to come.
Once the images are taken and a treatment plan is complete, a unique set of aligners is made. The total amount of aligners required varies with each individual case, but 20-29 sets per arch is typical.
What are some considerations when wearing Invisalign® trays?
Although invisible and removable, life with Invisalign® aligning trays may take several weeks to get used to. Patients should try to wear the aligners consistently without removing them, except for eating and drinking as food can get stuck in the tray and cause cavities and tooth decay. If a patient forgets to remove the aligner while eating, simply remove the aligner, brush teeth, wash out the aligner with water, and replace.
Your dentist will work with you to decide when to move to the next aligner tray in your series. This is typically every two weeks, but your dentist will monitor your progress. There is no doubt that Invisalign® aligning trays have revolutionized orthodontics. Invisalign® is renowned for being both comfortable and effective.
If you have questions about Invisalign®, please contact our office.
