Invisalign uses clear, removable trays to straighten the teeth. Invisalign works well for most orthodontic issues but requires high patient compliance. Patients can schedule a consultation with an Invisalign-trained dentist or orthodontist, who will scan the mouth and create a customized treatment plan. Invisalign is also available through many dental insurance plans.
Invisalign is a discreet way to straighten your smile. It doesn’t use wires and brackets; the transparent aligners are virtually invisible. They’re comfortable to wear and can be removed when you need to brush or floss, as well as for special occasions. Invisalign is also a quick treatment, with results in as little as six months1.
Crooked and crowded teeth are not just aesthetically displeasing; they can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health problems. Invisalign corrects these issues, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile for life. Plus, it’s a less disruptive treatment than traditional braces, with fewer restrictions on your diet and lifestyle.
Even though Invisalign aligners are clear, they’re not completely invisible. Some patients need to use attachments, which are small enamel-colored handles that click into the aligners to help them precisely align the teeth. These are similar to braces brackets, but they’re smoother and smaller and are less noticeable. However, if you’re consuming foods and beverages that stain teeth, such as red wine or coffee, the attachments may become discolored.
While most people won’t be able to see the clear aligners, some of your family members and close friends may notice them. This is especially true if you have a more noticeable smile or lip line, as the aligners will show through your lip color. However, if you’re confident about your Invisalign treatment and can talk about it openly, your friends and colleagues will probably be no the wiser.
Invisalign is a cosmetic alternative to traditional braces that straightens the teeth and aligns the bite. It is effective for patients with mild to moderate misalignment and can correct issues like an overbite, crossbite, underbite, crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, etc. Invisalign uses clear plastic aligner trays to gradually shift the teeth into their desired positions.
The trays are comfortable to wear and are not as bulky as braces. They are also easily removed to eat, drink, floss, and brush the teeth. This allows patients to maintain their oral hygiene and regular dental appointments while getting the benefits of Invisalign. Some people might experience minor discomfort when they first start wearing their new trays, but this is usually due to the teeth moving into their desired position. The discomfort typically goes away after a few days.
Invisalign requires a high level of patient compliance to deliver positive results. The trays should be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day and only removed to eat, drink, floss, brush, and clean the trays. If the trays aren’t worn regularly, it can cause the teeth to slide back into their old positions and slow down or even disrupt the treatment process altogether. Prospective Invisalign patients should choose a provider that is known for providing consistent positive outcomes. Ask the provider to show you a portfolio of before-and-after photos and read online reviews to ensure you are choosing the right provider for your Invisalign journey.
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether Invisalign or braces is the best option for you. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference, budget, and how quickly you want your smile to look. While both options can provide you with a straighter and more beautiful smile, it is important to consider all of your options and choose the one that suits your unique needs.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign trays can be removed from your mouth. This is a good thing because it gives you the freedom to eat whatever you want, and brush your teeth whenever you like. However, it also means that your aligners can become quite dirty very quickly if you don’t clean them properly. Fortunately, there are many different products on the market that will help you keep your Invisalign trays clean and fresh.
The best option is to soak your trays in a cleaning solution that contains hydrogen peroxide. This is a cheap and effective way to get rid of stains and odors. Simply mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water and let your trays soak for about twenty minutes. Once you’re done, rinse them and brush them before you put them back in your mouth.
Another popular option is to use a denture cleaning product that has been specifically formulated for clear aligners. This will be gentle enough to clean your trays without scratching them, and it will kill 99.9% of odor-causing bacteria in just a few squirts. You can also clean your aligners by scrubbing them with a soft-bristled toothbrush that is dedicated to this purpose. Just make sure that you don’t use a regular toothbrush, because it will leave abrasive scratches that can hide bacteria.
You can also clean your Invisalign trays by rinsing them with lukewarm water every time you take them out. This will remove any food debris and wet saliva that may develop, and it will also prevent them from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. Rinsing your trays is especially important if you have been eating while wearing them, since doing so will help you avoid food-borne illness. Also, always remember to store your trays in their case when you aren’t using them, as leaving them out in the open will expose them to bacterial build-up.
Unlike traditional metal braces that require a strict diet, Invisalign is a much more flexible technique. You can eat whatever you want, whenever you want without worrying about food getting stuck in wires and brackets. That said, you should still eat foods like starchy and sugary treats in moderation to avoid tooth decay and gum disease. You should also brush your teeth frequently to remove any residue from eating and drinking and to prevent bacterial buildup in the aligners, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
The main thing to remember is that you must take out your Invisalign aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. Otherwise, they could crack, stain or become damaged, which would defeat the purpose of wearing them and delay the results. It’s also important to avoid chewing any hard or sticky foods with the aligners in because they could damage them. If you do happen to accidentally chew something with your aligners in, be sure to brush your teeth immediately and rinse your mouth before putting them back in.
Sticky foods and candies, such as jelly beans, caramel, and Starbursts, are particularly bad for Invisalign because they could pull and tug at the aligners, causing them to break or get stuck in your teeth. You should also avoid eating meats with your Invisalign aligners in because biting down on bones could damage them as well. Flossing your teeth daily is a good practice to maintain overall oral health, but it’s especially important when you’re wearing Invisalign to remove any food particles between the teeth and gum line that can lead to tartar and plaque. A healthy mouth means healthier Invisalign aligners!
The number of aligners you wear each day and how long you wear them will determine how quickly your smile improves. You should wear your aligners at least 22 hours a day, and only take them out to eat, drink (plain water is okay), brush, and floss. If you are not wearing your aligners enough, it will slow down the movement of your teeth.
If you have minor crowding, your treatment may only take about half a year. If you have more severe crowding, it will likely take longer. This is because the clear trays move each individual tooth separately, whereas traditional braces apply force to all the teeth at once and cause them to shift in a random way.
When you first start wearing your trays, it is normal to have a slight lisp while you adjust to them. Once you become used to them, this should go away. You should also avoid running your tongue over the inside of your mouth or rubbing your lips against the trays, as this can lead to sore spots.
Another thing that can affect how quickly you see results is visiting your orthodontist for regular appointments. This is one of the most important things you can do to make sure that your Invisalign treatment progresses as planned. During these visits, your orthodontist will replace your worn aligners with new ones and check to ensure that you are following the correct sequence for your specific treatment plan. In addition, your orthodontist can use SmartForce attachments to speed up your Invisalign treatment even more. They are small ridges on the surface of your teeth that apply additional pressure to certain areas of your smile. This can help to close gaps, reduce overbite, and fix overlapping teeth.
