Invisalign: The Characteristics

Crooked teeth or a misaligned bite can make even the most confident person self-conscious. No matter your age, Invisalign orthodontic treatment can repair your smile without the sometimes annoying and embarrassing characteristics of traditional braces. This revolutionary method provides a hassle-free orthodontic experience that gives you the same end results as you might achieve with other techniques.

Appearance
Perhaps the most well-known characteristic of Invisalign is the fact that they are nearly invisible. The clear plastic aligners are transparent when worn over your teeth, so that others likely won’t even realize you’re wearing them. Your teeth may appear shiny or glossy, but that just provides a polished look without giving away the secret that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Flexibility
The removeable aligners give you the freedom to take them in and out as you please. They should always be removed while eating and cleaning, but can also be taken out as desired. However, it’s important to remember that the trays should be worn at least 20 hours a day for ideal results.

Comfort
Invisalign is probably the most comfortable orthodontic solution available. The trays are customized so that they fit comfortably, and movement is gradual so that you don’t experience significant discomfort like is common with traditional orthodontic adjustments.

Maintenance
The trays should be removed for regular cleaning, which is simple using a regular toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. When the trays are out of your mouth, normal dental hygiene tasks of brushing and flossing your teeth are advised. It’s easy to maintain good oral health without having to work around cumbersome appliances.

Personalization
The process for Invisalign involves creating customized trays to fit your mouth structure perfectly. The aligners are replaced with new sets at regular intervals, usually about every two weeks, as your progress continues. Your progress can be monitored using special computer software so you can actually see your smile improve and the expected end results.

Does Invisalign Affect Your Social Life?

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.

Advantages of Invisalign

Nearly two million people worldwide have discovered Invisalign, the latest technology for improving smiles. Treatment involves wearing a series of customized clear plastic aligners to gently shift teeth into better positions. This revolutionary method is appealing to patients because it eliminates some of the aspects that people dislike about traditional orthodontic solutions.

Perhaps the most obvious benefit to Invisalign is that the aligners are invisible. The clear plastic makes the trays almost undetectable in your smile. This gives patients the confidence to smile throughout treatment instead of being embarrassed by a mouth full of metal.

You can remove your Invisalign aligners at any time. Although for best success they should be worn at least 20 hours per day, they should be removed while eating or performing oral hygiene tasks. This means that there are no diet restrictions during treatment, and maintenance is simple because it involves normal brushing and flossing.

Invisalign aligners are comfortable since there are no wires or brackets that might poke or tear your skin. They also are safer than some other orthodontic options when playing sports or other activities. Invisalign aligners gently move teeth so there is typically less pressure or pain during treatment than with traditional braces.

The aligners are customized for every patient to treat your specific issues. Different sets of aligners are provided for adults, adolescents and children, plus different sets are worn during each stage of straightening. This personalized solution means that treatment is very precise, and it is even created and monitored using special computer software to increase the accuracy of treatment. Also, many patients find that the duration of treatment is less for Invisalign. The average treatment time is often about one year, as long as you wear the aligners as recommended.

With all of the advantages that Invisalign offers, it’s easy to understand why it has become such a popular choice in orthodontic treatment. If you’re interested in seeing if Invisalign is right for you, schedule a consultation with a dental professional who is trained and qualified in providing this type of treatment.

5 Things Parents Need To Know About Invisalign Teen®

Many parents know about Invisalign®, the virtually invisible way to straighten teeth without metal braces. But I’m often asked for more information about Invisalign® Teen.

In short, rather than wires and brackets, Invisalign® Teen uses a series of clear, removable aligners that have been custom-made for your teen’s teeth, a result of precise images I take with the sophisticated iTero Element Scanner. Your teen simply wears these aligners over their teeth and changes them out for a new set of aligners periodically—most often every two weeks. Little by little, your teen’s teeth gradually shift into place.

Here are the answers to the top five questions I’m asked about Invisalign Teen. I hope you find it helpful!

  1. INVISALIGN TEEN CAN BE AS EFFECTIVE AS TRADITIONAL BRACES.

When worn according to the customized plan I set in place, Invisalign Teen can be as effective as traditional braces. In fact, the chances are very high your teen will be a candidate for Invisalign as it can treat many of the common issues we see. Call us at (718) 848-6900 to set up an appointment to find out for sure.

  1. THERE ARE PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF INVISALIGN TEEN OVER TRADITIONAL BRACES.

With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so your teen can play sports, musical instruments and eat their favorite foods without the worry that braces will get in the way. Plus, it’s much easier to brush and floss normally to maintain proper oral hygiene.

  1. AN INVISIBLE SOLUTION CAN BOOST CONFIDENCE.

Research shows that parents underestimate the extent to which teens feel self-conscious about their smile—and their appearance in general. Wearing braces can often make this lack of confidence even worse. Invisalign Teen removes a potential source of anxiety, giving them more confidence during what can be a challenging time in their lives.

  1. YOUR TEEN HAS TO WEAR THE ALIGNERS MOST OF THE DAY.

Invisalign Teen is most effective when worn 20 to 22 hours per day and changed approximately every two weeks. In fact, Invisalign Teen aligners have blue indicators that fade over time when used as directed so I can track compliance.

  1. YOU’LL SPEND LESS TIME AT MY OFFICE THAN WITH TRADITIONAL BRACES.

Invisalign Teen often requires less time with your orthodontist than traditional braces do. There are no adjustments to make, no brackets to re-glue and no broken wires to fix. After the initial appointment, follow-up appointments are usually scheduled every four to six weeks.

Dr. Fotovat offers complimentary new patient exams. You can reach us at: 818-980-5300 or request an appointment here.

Can Choosing Invisalign Really Keep My Mouth Healthier?

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