How It Works
First, a potential patient will visit their dentist in order to determine if they are a good candidate for this tooth straightening system. The dentist will perform a thorough evaluation and learn if Invisalign will correct your issues. From there, impressions of your teeth with be taken in order to create the perfect aligners for adjustment. Because this process is a slow progression, patients should plan on wearing several aligners. Depending on the severity of the current teeth placement, patients may have to wear as few as 12 or up to 48 different aligners.
Once the treatment plan is in place, it’s time for patients to start wearing the aligners. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks. The only time they are taken out of the mouth is when eating, brushing, or flossing. Over time, the teeth with slowly starting to straighten until the perfect smile are achieved!
What Invisalign Can Treat
While Invisalign is certainly an attractive and convenient option for many patients, there are limitations to what it can accomplish for people. It is essential for patients to have a clear understanding of what Invisalign can treat. It can address most orthodontic issues, such as:
- Gapped teeth
- Overcrowding
- Crooked teeth
- Underbites
- Overbites
Because of the specifics surrounding this type of treatment, Invisalign is not considered the best solution for severe orthodontic issues such as rotated teeth or complex overbites/underbites.
What You Should Know About Wearing Invisalign
Other than being an excellent option for correcting a variety of issues, there are other points that patients should be aware of. For instance, wearing Invisalign is virtually painless. Studies show that 54% of people indicate that wearing the aligners caused mild pain, while 35% stated that they felt no pain at all.
Additionally, you’ll quickly realize that it’s incredibly important to maintain proper oral hygiene because bacteria can get trapped in the aligners. This means to make sure that you are brushing between meals and flossing. Keep in mind; you should never put toothpaste on the aligners. Instead, you should clean your aligners with soap or detergent. Failure to properly clean the aligners will result in a bad smell and dingy appearance.
Realistic Expectations
While Invisalign can certainly yield beautiful results, patients should be realistic in their goals. It will take some time for the Invisalign to shift the teeth. This option is best for individuals with typical orthodontic issues. However, those with more significant concerns may need to rely on another solution. Your dentist will be able to offer some insight into realistic expectations you can have as far as results.
Overview
If you would like to learn more about Invisalign or other teeth straightening solutions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be more than happy to answer your questions and offer insight into other potential avenues. Contact our office today to learn more!
