Chances are you’ve probably heard of Invisalign, the clear plastic aligners that straighten your teeth without having to wear traditional metal braces. Their incognito appearance allows you to get the smile you’ve always wanted without having to sacrifice elements of your life. For example, how does Invisalign affect your social life?
One of the best things about Invisalign is that you can keep living your life as you’re used to doing. Because the aligners are removed for eating and cleaning, you don’t have to alter your diet. If you like eating popcorn at the movies or chowing down on buffalo wings with your friends, you can continue doing those things. Without wires and brackets, you also don’t need to worry about food becoming stuck in your braces. Just brush and floss your teeth normally, and put your aligners back in to continue achieving your new smile.
Invisalign’s clear plastic aligners will not negatively impact your self-esteem. Your confidence level will get a boost as your smile improves and you don’t have to suffer through the hassles associated with many other kinds of orthodontic treatments.
Since the aligners are removeable, you reserve the right to take them out for special occasions. You’ll want to wear them for the recommended 20 hours a day for optimum results, but you can remove the aligners for a special party, event, or work function. It’s wonderful to have this option for those most treasured memories.
Your social life also won’t suffer from having to miss out on things due to orthodontic appointments. Invisalign treatment requires fewer office visits than most other methods, plus there are no painful adjustments that put you out of commission as your mouth gets used to the new treatment. Instead, Invisalign moves your teeth gently and consistently throughout treatment.
Invisalign transforms smiles for most patients in only about a year. This faster treatment time will get you the end results you desire without having to wait for years to achieve them. With Invisalign, you can transform your smile without harming your social life.
Invisalign has a lot of benefits when it comes to straightening your teeth and looking good while you’re doing it, but it also has a great number of benefits when it comes to your oral health.
Invisalign is a system used to straighten teeth utilizing clear plastic trays known as aligners. These aligners are applied in a series over time. When one aligner has done its job, the next tray in the series replaces it.
Invisalign is unique among orthodontia used to straighten teeth in that they are removed when the patient is eating food or cleaning his or her teeth. Because of this, no food becomes stuck inside the standard metal bands and brackets of typical braces, and the decay that begins in the trapped food never gets a foothold in the mouths of those wearing Invisalign.
Metal braces can make it difficult and time-consuming to brush and floss properly. The braces trap food particles and bacteria around the teeth and hidden in the rubber bands. In order to clean them properly, wearers must thread floss in between each bracket, one after another. Most people skip some teeth and only do part of the mouth. Brushing can also be a challenge, and brushes will wear out faster and can’t reach some areas of the mouth.
Invisalign aligners are removed during cleanings, so you are brushing and flossing your teeth just like you always did. Also, since the process takes a fraction of the time compared to metal braces, you’re far more likely to floss your whole mouth. This way, your mouth stays cleaner and you ensure your continued oral health.
Talk to your orthodontist to learn about all of the oral health benefits of Invisalign over traditional braces. What you learn might lead you to choose Invisalign to straighten your teeth.
Sherman Oaks Invisalign dentist
Do you have questions about Invisalign? Maybe you’ve heard the name mentioned as an alternative to traditional metal braces, but you don’t know the specifics. Invisalign utilizes a series of clear plastic trays that are custom fit to your smile goals. Over time, the aligners slowly straighten teeth. When one tray’s goals are complete, the next tray begins its work. When the last aligner in the series is done, the smile is straight and the bite is corrected.
Your additional questions about Invisalign aligners might include the following:
- How long do I have to wear the aligners each day? Invisalign only works properly if the aligners are removed fewer than two hours each day, meaning wear time is 22 hours or more.
- When can I take them out? Invisalign is removed to eat and to clean your teeth and trays.
- How long does the total treatment take? Most adults in Invisalign complete their treatment in one to two years.
- What happens if I don’t wear my aligners as long as recommended? Wearing your aligners less than the total time recommended by your orthodontist will lead them to be less effective than intended. Treatment could take significantly longer to complete.
- What are my food restrictions while straightening my teeth with Invisalign? None! You can eat anything you like because you’ll remove your trays before eating.
- Is Invisalign right for me? If your oral and overall physical health is good, Invisalign is likely a very good fit for you. It’s recommended that Invisalign users have all of their adult teeth fully erupted prior to beginning Invisalign treatment.
Sherman Oaks Orthodontist
Invisalign is one of the most popular options for patients who wish to improve an imperfect smile without the hassle of traditional braces. However, Invisalign may not be a perfect choice for everyone.
How do you know if you are a good candidate for Invisalign? Consider the following:
- What problems are you trying to fix and what is their severity? Invisalign is best suited for milder cases of misalignment, crowded, or crooked teeth. More severe issues, such as large overbites, are better treated with more advanced orthodontic procedures.
- What is your age? Invisalign is an excellent choice for older teens and adults. Invisalign offers an attractive option that is virtually unnoticeable and, therefore, doesn’t affect the patient’s self-confidence the way traditional metal braces might. Children and younger teens are not the best candidates because their teeth and jaw are still growing.
- How committed are you to correcting your smile? While using the Invisalign aligners is easy, allowing you to remove them as necessary, they must remain in your mouth for a minimum of 22 hours a day. If you are not dedicated to following this treatment plan and remaining vigilant about wearing your aligners, treatment with Invisalign will not work.
Invisalign is known to be one of the easiest and most comfortable treatments for orthodontic problems. Using clear aligner trays to gently move your teeth, Invisalign is an easy and popular option. To better determine your suitability for Invisalign, schedule an appointment with a qualified orthodontist. Invisalign is an exciting option for patients who wish to fix their teeth without the hassle of traditional metal braces.
Sherman Oaks Orthodontist
Invisalign is an attractive option for many people who are seeking to correct misaligned, crooked or gapped teeth.
While Invisalign can produce fantastic results, there are some potential complications to consider:
- Some teeth may remain crooked at the end of treatment
- Teeth can maintain uneven heights relative to their adjacent teeth
- Misaligned or “open” bite on the back teeth
- Teeth that lean in opposing directions
- Allergic reactions to the Invisalign aligners
Most of these concerns are the direct result of the incorrect or improper use of the Invisalign aligners by the patient. Complications may also be the result of the inexperience or lack of skill of the dentist who is in charge of treatment. Making sure all treatment protocols are followed correctly is vital to the success of Invisalign treatment.
The patient plays a crucial role in avoiding these pitfalls. Patients must be committed to wearing their Invisalign aligners for the maximum amount of time recommended by your orthodontist. Failing to wear the aligners for the prescribed time will guarantee poor results.
In some cases, Invisalign may not be the best choice for your orthodontic needs. Patients who suffer from severely crooked or misaligned teeth will likely not achieve the desired results with Invisalign because they do not exert the necessary pressure to fix more extreme cases.
Patients who suffer from teeth grinding, or bruxism, may damage their aligners unintentionally. This type of damage will diminish the effect of the appliance, and may necessitate new aligners completely. In rare cases, patients may suffer from an allergic reaction to the aligners.
If you are unhappy with your crooked teeth, talk to your orthodontist to find out if you are a good candidate for Invisalign. Under the care of a qualified orthodontist and with proper maintenance, you can avoid complications and achieve a straighter, more beautiful smile.
Sherman Oaks Orthodontist
