Are you looking for a discreet way to straighten your smile? Try treatment with Invisalign in our Newtown, PA dental office. Our dental specialists are passionate about helping patients find the best option for their oral health needs.
Invisalign treatment is a cosmetic dentistry service best suited for patients with mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. By using clear aligners, Invisalign can straighten crooked or misaligned teeth comfortably.
The Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign treatment comes with many unique benefits.
1. Discreet Appearance
One of the most appealing benefits of Invisalign is its clear design. The aligners are nearly invisible, making them popular for adults and teens who want to straighten their teeth without paying attention to their orthodontic treatment. You can smile confidently during your treatment, knowing others may not even notice you wear aligners.
2. Comfort and Convenience
Invisalign aligners are made from smooth plastic, making them generally more comfortable than traditional braces. There are no metal brackets or wires to cause irritation or discomfort in your mouth. Plus, you can easily remove the aligners when eating, brushing, or flossing, making it simpler to maintain good oral hygiene.
3. Improved Oral Hygiene
Because you can take out your Invisalign aligners, maintaining oral hygiene is much easier than with traditional braces. You can brush and floss your teeth without any obstructions, which helps prevent plaque buildup and reduces the risk of cavities and gum disease. This convenience can lead to better overall oral health during your treatment.
4. Customized Treatment Plans
Invisalign offers personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs. Your dentist or orthodontist will create a 3D model of your teeth and use it to design a series of aligners that gradually shift your teeth into the desired position. This customized approach ensures you receive effective treatment that aligns with your goals.
5. Shorter Treatment Time
In many cases, Invisalign can straighten teeth more quickly than traditional braces. While treatment time varies depending on individual cases, many people complete their Invisalign treatment in about 12 to 18 months. Your dentist will provide a timeline based on your specific situation, but shorter treatment times are often a key benefit of using aligners.
6. Flexibility
Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods without restrictions. You can eat whatever you like, from crunchy apples to sticky candies, without worrying about damaging your braces. This flexibility makes the treatment experience much more enjoyable.
7. Fewer Office Visits
With Invisalign, you typically need fewer dentist or orthodontist visits than traditional braces. After your initial consultation, you’ll receive a series of aligners to use at home. Most patients only need to check in every six to eight weeks to monitor progress, which can save time in your busy schedule.
8. Predictable Results
Invisalign uses advanced technology to create a digital treatment plan showing how your teeth will move over time. This allows you to visualize the final result before you even begin treatment. Knowing what to expect can provide reassurance and motivation as you work toward your new smile.
Treatment with Invisalign
Before orthodontic treatment, our dentists ensure that our patients have good oral and physical health. If there are any outstanding problems like tooth decay or gum disease, we will address them. To begin Invisalign treatment, we will take dental impressions.
These impressions form the blueprint for each patient’s Invisalign treatment. We can create custom clear aligners that straighten teeth over time using these impressions. Each set of aligners is slightly different, repositioning the teeth into a straighter and more aligned position.
Once the first sets of aligners are complete, we will send them home with the patient and instructions for their care. Patients should clean their teeth and aligners each time they are removed. This is because when foods and drinks are left on the Invisalign aligners, they can stain them and encourage bacteria growth. It is important that patients keep their Invisalign aligners fresh and clean.
Caring for Your Aligners
Caring for your Invisalign aligners is essential to ensure they stay clean, effective, and comfortable throughout your treatment. Keeping your aligners clean is the first step in proper care. Rinse them with lukewarm water every time you remove them to help eliminate saliva and prevent bacteria buildup. You should gently brush your aligners with a soft toothbrush and mild, non-abrasive soap. Avoid toothpaste, as it can scratch the aligners and reduce their clarity.
When you’re not wearing your aligners, always store them in their protective case. This prevents them from getting lost or damaged. Leaving them out in the open can make them easily misplaced or contaminated with dirt and bacteria. Additionally, be consistent with your wear schedule. Aim to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily, removing them only when eating, drinking (except for water), brushing, and flossing. Skipping hours can slow down your progress and extend your treatment time.
While one of the benefits of Invisalign is the freedom to eat what you like, remember to remove your aligners before meals. Eating with your aligners can damage them and lead to staining. Always be cautious with drinks—only water should be consumed while wearing them to prevent discoloration.
Practicing good oral hygiene is also vital. Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss daily to keep your mouth healthy. Proper hygiene helps prevent cavities and gum disease, especially since aligners can trap food particles and bacteria.
Regular check-ups with your dentist or orthodontist are important during your Invisalign treatment. They can monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments. If you experience discomfort or issues with your aligners, contact your dental professional for guidance. Handle your aligners carefully, avoiding excessive force when putting them on or taking them off, as this can lead to cracks or breaks. If you accidentally damage an aligner, contact your orthodontist immediately to discuss your options.
Invisalign offers cleaning crystals designed for their aligners, which can help eliminate plaque and bacteria. Following the instructions provided with these crystals can ensure your aligners remain fresh and clear. By keeping your aligners clean, wearing them as directed, maintaining good oral hygiene, and handling them carefully, you can make your journey to a straighter smile effective and smooth.
Invisalign FAQs
Do you want to know more about Invisalign? Read answers to common questions many patients have about this orthodontic treatment:
Am I a candidate for Invisalign?
Teenagers and adults with mild or moderately crooked or misaligned teeth are the best candidates for Invisalign. Patients with bite disorders who clench and grind their teeth may not benefit from Invisalign as they can damage the aligners.
We often will not recommend Invisalign for children as they can easily lose, stain, or break their aligners. We often recommend traditional braces for our younger patients and patients with severe orthodontic concerns.
Is Invisalign treatment painful?
No, Invisalign is not an extremely painful treatment. As patients get accustomed to each new aligner, they may feel soreness in their teeth. However, this fades over time.
What can I eat and drink with Invisalign?
Patients can drink water when their clear aligners are on their teeth. However, they must remove their aligners to eat or drink other foods and beverages. This keeps the aligners clean and the teeth and gums healthy.
Is it alright to not wear Invisalign for one night?
The teeth could shift back into the improper position if you skip any time using Invisalign®. The recommended wearing time for Invisalign® aligners is 22 to 23 hours daily. Anything less than this runs the danger of hindering your progress. Taking one night off should not hurt your progress, but doing this regularly will definitely impact the amount of time you need to wear each aligner.
How many times a day can you remove Invisalign?
You should be fine as long as you receive the recommended 22 hours daily. The only danger you run is that the repetitive removal may cause your aligner to crack prematurely. We recommend that you only remove your aligner to eat and drink.
Does the first tray of Invisalign do anything?
Typically, the first Invisalign tray you use will shift the teeth about 1/10mm. Depending on how severe your tooth misalignment is, how your teeth move throughout therapy may vary slightly. Each tray will slightly shift your teeth, even if this isn’t noticeable to the naked eye.
Request a Dental Consultation
Do you want a straighter, more uniform smile? Try Invisalign. Contact our office for orthodontic treatment today at 267-692-2394 or schedule a dental appointment online.