Invisalign
Invisalign offers a discreet alternative to traditional braces, and when many people hear the word “orthodontics,” they still picture a young teenager whose teeth are covered by a latticework of metal. There are indeed many orthodontic patients who fit that description. However, there now exists an increasingly popular alternative to traditional metal braces: Invisalign® clear aligners.
As the name suggests, Invisalign clear aligners are made from nearly invisible polyurethane plastic. Unlike metal or clear braces, they are not cemented or bonded to your teeth. Instead, they are completely removable for important social occasions, meals, and, most importantly, brushing and flossing. While this flexibility is a major benefit, it also requires commitment. To keep your treatment on track, it’s important to wear your aligners as instructed and avoid removing them more often than recommended.
- Improved Oral Hygiene — With an orthodontic appliance that is removable, you will be able to clean your teeth much more easily than if you were wearing metal braces.
- A Discreet Look — If you consider your orthodontic treatment to be a private matter, or simply feel that metal braces don’t fit with your self-image, a practically invisible form of orthodontic treatment might suit you.
- More Dietary Choices — To protect metal wires and braces, some diet modifications are necessary. With clear aligners, you can still bite into an apple or a crispy pizza crust.
- Comfort — The thin, flexible material of which Invisalign is made will not irritate the soft tissues of the mouth, as metal wires and braces can.
- Teeth-Grinding Protection — If you have a teeth-grinding or clenching habit, clear aligners can function as thin nightguards that will protect your teeth from excessive wear.
Clear aligner technology has been improving over the years and can correct many malocclusions that once would have been too complicated for this form of treatment. Yet there are still some situations for which traditional braces would still be best. This can be discussed in detail with you at our San Diego dentist office.
How Invisalign Works
Specialized computer software is used to design a plan for moving your teeth from their current positions into the best possible alignment. This movement will be broken down into perhaps several dozen stages. For each stage, the Invisalign company will manufacture two plastic mouth “trays” or “aligners,” one to fit over your top teeth and one for the bottom. You will wear this first set of trays for two weeks, for a minimum of 20 hours per day. You will then move on to the next set of aligners in your series to accomplish the next stage of gradual movement. You will keep doing this until your teeth are correctly aligned.
In the past several years, two features have been added to make Invisalign a more appropriate orthodontic treatment method for teenagers. Special “eruption tabs” hold the appropriate amount of space open for molars that have not fully grown in. Invisalign for teens also comes with “compliance indicators” built into the aligner material, which fade with wear. This allows parents, dentists, and the teens themselves, to make sure the trays are being worn as prescribed. Treatment with Invisalign can only be successful if this is the case.
In other words, Invisalign clear aligners work the same way traditional braces do: by applying carefully controlled forces to teeth to move them into a better position. But they are not made of metal; instead, they are made of clear, flexible plastic.
Caring for Your Teeth During Treatment
As mentioned above, one of the main advantages of the Invisalign system is that the trays can be removed for easy cleaning. So please don’t neglect to do this! You’ll need to brush your teeth after every meal or snack so that food and plaque do not get trapped in the aligners, which could promote tooth decay and gum disease. Your aligners, too, will have to be cleaned regularly; you can do this by brushing them and then rinsing them with lukewarm water.
Also, please keep in mind that while wearing clear aligners is very different from wearing braces, the importance of retaining your post-treatment results is exactly the same. You’ll want to be sure to wear your retainer(s) exactly as prescribed by your dentist in San Diego after your treatment is completed. This will protect your investment in a beautiful new smile.
Looking to straighten your smile with Invisalign?
Invisalign can help you achieve a straighter, healthier smile with a treatment plan designed around your lifestyle and goals. At Emerald Isle Dental Studio, Dr. Geraldine O’Mara, DDS, and our team provide personalized care and guidance throughout every step of your Invisalign journey. Whether you’re addressing minor alignment concerns or a more complex bite issue, we’re here to help you smile with confidence. Contact Emerald Isle Dental Studio today to schedule your consultation.
Call Emerald Isle Dental Studio today at 858.270.0682
For more information or to book an appointment!