Love Your New Smile Even More With Invisalign

Invisalign Align Technology, a California company, created an orthodontic treatment that uses smooth, flexible plastic aligners to straighten teeth. It is a much more comfortable orthodontic care and less noticeable than traditional braces.

The molded plastic aligners fit over your teeth to straighten your smile. The aligners are removed during oral hygiene routines, making brushing and flossing much more straightforward than traditional metal braces. And because the aligners must be removed while eating, you don’t have to give up any of the foods you love.

Invisalign customized clear aligners can correct all the same issues as traditional metal orthodontics. Below are some common dental problems easily fixed by aligners:

• Overcrowding – when there is not enough space for teeth, they tend to overlap, making it very difficult to keep clean. With overcrowding comes the buildup of plaque and increased chances of gum disease.
• Gaps – large spaces between teeth can occur because of abnormal jaw growth or missing teeth.
• Crossbite – is when upper teeth bite down on the inside of the lower teeth, leading to uneven wear and bone erosion.
• Overbite – is the upper teeth projecting further than the lower teeth and often followed by jaw pain and TMJ disorder. Follow this link to learn more.
• Underbite – is the direct opposite of an overbite. The lower teeth project further out than the upper teeth creating jaw pain and TMD.

In your initial consultation, we devise a treatment plan. 3D digital images are taken so Dr. Natalie Kelley can view the jaw from every angle and even foresee your tooth movement on the monitor. This technology anticipates how the aligner system will change facial aesthetics when the treatment is done.  

Once the planning consultation is complete, a unique set of aligners is made to fit your teeth perfectly. The length of treatment time is different for each case. Still, the total number of aligners required is usually between 20 and 29 sets. Learn more here.

A Few Things to Remember

Follow your orthodontist’s orders and wear your aligners for the recommended 22 hours daily. Not following this will cause problems and lengthen the overall treatment time. Removing the aligners when consuming food or drink is essential to avoid staining and prevent debris from getting trapped between the trays and the teeth, leading to tooth decay.

You can expect to feel soreness for the first few days after each new tray. This light ache is common and good news as it proves that your teeth are already starting to move into their correct positions. On average, new trays are given to you every two weeks.

Clean your aligners twice daily, minimum, by brushing them as you do your teeth. It takes only a couple of minutes to brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and warm water.

Once the aligners are removed, please rinse them thoroughly to reduce harmful bacteria. Only use lukewarm water to rinse, as extreme temperatures can warp the plastic.

At the beginning of treatment, mostly all patients experience a slight lisp that disappears within a few days. Don’t be tempted to take your aligners out. Continuing to wear them while talking will help your speech adjust quickly.

Many clear aligner treatment options exist, but Invisalign is the gold standard. The Invisalign process has treated 9 million smiles and still counting! It is the most trusted aligner brand.