Do you have crooked or misaligned teeth? Straighten your smile with Invisalign in Ardmore, PA. Invisalign is a cosmetic dental treatment and a modern alternative to metal braces. With Invisalign, patients can prevent problems caused by malocclusion or an uneven bite.
Patients with crooked teeth can experience pain and discomfort due to a misaligned bite. It may also be difficult to clean between overcrowded or crooked teeth. Harmful bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay can build up in these hard-to-reach areas. Invisalign treatment straightens teeth and creates a healthier smile.
Invisalign Treatment: What to Expect
To start with Invisalign, you’ll first have a cosmetic consultation in our office. We’ll assess your oral health, smile complications, cosmetic goals, and budget. We want to ensure that Invisalign is the best solution for your needs. Invisalign is suitable for mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. If you have more extensive issues, we’ll refer you to a trusted orthodontist for further treatment.
When we move forward with Invisalign, we first take impressions of your teeth. Instead of metal brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a system of clear aligners to slowly move your teeth into position. We send the impressions to a lab so that they can custom-make each set of aligners. Each person is different, and your specific situation determines how long your treatment is and how many sets of aligners you’ll need.
We’ll talk to you about your treatment and give you instructions to follow. You’ll change the aligners once every two weeks to a new set. Some soreness is usually present as your mouth adjusts to this new position. We’ll schedule regular checkups in our office so that we can monitor your treatment and ensure it’s progressing as it should.
Invisalign Vs. Metal Braces
Invisalign is one of the most preferred tooth straightening methods. Usually, patients like it most because it’s more subtle. Metal brackets and wires are very visible on your teeth. The clear aligners of Invisalign are practically invisible when they’re on your teeth. Unless someone is looking for them, it’s hard to tell that you even have them on.
Because Invisalign is removable, you have more freedom than with braces. No dietary restrictions exist because you take the aligners out whenever you eat. You can also stick to your normal oral healthcare routine. You don’t need to learn how to properly brush and floss around those brackets. Simply brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. With braces, if you don’t clean your mouth properly, bacteria and debris build up around the brackets, and you have staining when you get the braces removed.
Invisalign often has shorter treatment times and is cheaper than metal braces. Since a dental professional doesn’t need to tighten wires to move your teeth, you have fewer checkup appointments during your treatment. The plastic used for Invisalign aligners is smooth, and you don’t have to worry about it pinching or rubbing the soft tissues of your mouth.
Caring for Invisalign Aligners
You’ll need a care routine for your Invisalign aligners to ensure they continue to provide you with the best quality treatment. Since you can remove the aligners, they’re a bit easier to care for than traditional metal braces. Rinse your aligners out with cool water every time you take them out. This prevents debris and bacteria from building up when you take out your aligners to eat or drink.
When your aligners are out, brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily. Removing all the debris before you put the aligners back in is essential. Food debris can damage or scratch your aligners. Plaque, tartar, or food remnants can stain your aligners, too. Whenever you put the aligners back in, you want your teeth to be clean and debris-free.
You should also be brushing your aligners twice a day to clean them. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste so you don’t scratch the aligners. If you scratch them, they lose their transparency. Mild, clear antibacterial soap or specialized Invisalign cleaning crystals can help sterilize and ensure the aligners stay transparent. Don’t use hot water to clean them; this can warp their shape.
You should never eat or drink anything but water when your aligners are in. Food can scratch or damage the aligners, impacting the efficacy of your treatment. Keep the aligners in a ventilated storage case when you’re eating or brushing your teeth. It promotes airflow, lessening the chance of harmful bacteria buildup on the aligners. It also prevents you from accidentally throwing your aligners out with food waste when you finish your meal.
Don’t leave your aligners in a hot car or direct sunlight, as the material can warp. You should also avoid biting down forcefully, grinding, or clenching your teeth, as you can break or crack the aligners. If you grind and clench your teeth at night, we may recommend another treatment to correct your crooked teeth.
Invisalign FAQs
Discover more about Invisalign treatment with answers to these frequently asked questions:
What are the benefits of Invisalign?
With Invisalign, patients can eat the foods they love without dietary restrictions. Because Invisalign aligners may be removed, patients can thoroughly clean their smiles without wires or brackets. After treatment with braces, patients may have stains from brackets on each tooth that take some time to disappear. Removable Invisalign aligners deliver consistent results. Additionally, Invisalign aligners are clear so patients can discreetly straighten their smiles.
How long is Invisalign treatment?
Many patients complete their Invisalign treatment within 12 to 18 months. However, your particular treatment time will depend on your malocclusion. Patients with more severe misalignment may require more treatment time. Additionally, patients who care for their aligners and wear them for 22 hours a day are more likely to complete their treatment on time.
Is Invisalign treatment painful?
Many patients find that Invisalign treatment is more comfortable than traditional orthodontic treatment. Most patients only feel soreness with Invisalign as they get accustomed to each new set of aligners. Metal braces use brackets that dentists tighten at regular visits. Traditional braces also contain wires that can irritate and poke the gum tissue.
Request a Dental Appointment
Do you want to straighten your smile? Schedule a dental consultation with our dental team on our website. Contact our dental office for comprehensive care today at (610) 839-8967. At your next dental visit, we welcome you to ask any questions or voice concerns about your treatment options. Our dental team will gladly help you get the answers you need.