What Is Invisalign?
When you visit our clinic at Cooley Smiles, we will discuss with you the common types of braces available.
At Cooley Smiles, we offer an effective alternative to traditional braces known as Invisalign.
Invisalign is designed to move your teeth using a series of clear, plastic aligner trays.
What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are types of modern braces, also known as invisible braces. The most common type of clear aligner available is the Invisalign.
This aligner is a very comfortable plastic that does not hurt or irritate your oral structures. It is designed to be visually invisible or less conspicuous.
We place these aligners to fit over your teeth and ensure they are not very noticeable.
Invisalign can help correct many orthodontic conditions, such as crowded teeth, gap teeth, open bites, or crossbites. However, it is best for mild issues and may not solve severe alignment problems.
Many of our patients opt for Invisalign treatment because of the many benefits over traditional braces! If you are interested in Invisalign, we can help!
What Is Invisalign®?
Each aligner tray is designed to gradually move your teeth to the desired position.
You will wear each tray for a period of two weeks. When you put in a new tray, the position will be slightly straighter than your actual teeth.
This will apply pressure and cause your teeth to move until they match the position of the tray. It is important to wear each tray as much as possible.
For optimum results, wearing your braces at least 20 to 22 hours every day is essential. The trays should only be removed to eat and clean your teeth.
The success of your treatment depends largely on the amount of time you wear each tray.
Invisalign Process
The Invisalign process begins with a consultation appointment. During your consultation, our Cooley Smiles dentists will determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment.
We start by taking your medical history to understand any underlying medical conditions properly.
Examining your teeth and gums is the next step because this will help determine the teeth misalignment and identify if invisible braces are ideal for you.
Some conditions will require the use of traditional braces.
Once we have determined that Invisalign is right for you, we will gather photographs of your teeth and face, take dental impressions, and take x-rays.
We use these images to customize a suitable treatment plan and ideal plastic aligners that fit perfectly over your teeth. The clear aligners put pressure on your teeth and, over time, move them into the right place.
This information, along with a detailed set of instructions, is then sent to the Invisalign headquarters. There, they will use this information to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
We will review their plan and ask them to make any necessary changes until we achieve the desired results. Once we are satisfied, Invisalign will fabricate a series of aligner trays and ship them to our office.
The process typically takes about four weeks, from the time we send them your information to the time we receive the trays.
Throughout treatment, you will be asked to come in for follow up appointments every six weeks or so. During your appointment, we will check to make sure that your teeth are moving to the proper position.
After your final tray, we highly recommend a retainer. It is important to protect your investment.
Without a retainer your teeth may drift out of position, undoing all of your hard work. Most patients opt for a clear retainer very similar to an Invisalign tray.
Invisalign Treatment Time
The treatment time for Invisalign can be from six to12 months or even more. The duration is unique to your case or the severity of your alignment issues.
Your crowding issue or type of spacing will influence the time it will take to achieve the desired results.
Also, age is another factor that can influence the treatment time. For younger people, the teeth are easy to shift in position. Thus, the treatment process will take a shorter duration.
In most instances, braces are recommended for younger people. Although they can be used in older people, the process will take longer.
Another factor that can influence the treatment time is your compliance; remember that the aligner trays need to move each tooth at a time. That's why you need to change the trays during the treatment process.
We will schedule a specific time frame for you to wear each tray and if you adhere to our instructions correctly, the treatment process will not be prolonged.
Benefits of Invisalign
Aesthetic Factor
The biggest benefit of Invisalign is the appearance. These aligners are less noticeable.
Most people may not even notice you are wearing your trays.
Invisalign is much more discreet than traditional braces.
For traditional braces, when you are speaking or talking, people can see the brackets and wires.
If you are looking for an orthodontic treatment that is almost inconspicuous, be sure you select these aligners.
Removable Options
Another significant advantage is that the clear aligners are removable. When eating or brushing, you can remove them. This allows you to brush your teeth and also clean the Invisalign properly.
The fact that they are removable prevents food debris from being stuck in the braces, which can lead to gum disease.
Customized Treatment Options
The treatment process is customized depending on your needs. We use modern technology to create an accurate 3D model of your mouth. This allows us to design a treatment plan that is ideal for you.
We proceed to fabricate aligners that can move your teeth to a natural position. The aligners are comfortable to wear and designed according to the size of your mouth.
Fewer Dental Visits
With this treatment, you will need fewer dental visits than with traditional braces. This significantly minimizes the time you need to spend at our clinic.
Improved Oral Hygiene
You can maintain your oral hygiene with these options. The aligners are removable, and you can brush your teeth without being obstructed by wires and brackets.
This will help avoid oral issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. You can also clean your clear aligners, ensuring they are infection-free.
Traditional braces encourage the accumulation of bacteria that jeopardizes oral health. The brackets and wires can make flossing and brushing quite challenging.
Predictable Results
This treatment option uses modern technology to create a treatment plan for you. It enables you to visualize your expected results and your treatment progress properly.
You will better understand the treatment time and the desired outcome. This will offer you better satisfaction and confidence.
Fewer Problems
There are fewer problems with these aligners as the plastic is very smooth and will not injure your gums.
Traditional braces can lead to some issues such as the wire can break and puncture your gums. This can necessitate an emergency visit to our clinic.
How to Care for Your Clear Aligners
Clean Them Daily
Clear aligners are removable options. Thus, you can take them out when eating or brushing. When you remove them, rinse them with lukewarm water.
Since they are made of plastic, you should avoid using hot water to clean them as it causes them to warp. Also, clean the aligners using a soft-bristled toothbrush and an antibacterial soap.
Brush all of the surfaces of your aligners, rinse, and dry them before putting them back into your mouth.
Remove Them When Eating
Food particles and beverages may stain and damage your aligners. It is essential to always take them out when eating or drinking. This helps to prevent the build-up of bacteria and ensures your oral health is good.
Always Brush Your Teeth Before Wearing the Aligners
Brush your teeth before putting on the aligners. This is important as it helps remove all food particles or bacteria trapped in your teeth or gum tissues.
Store the Aligners Correctly
When you remove the invisible aligners, store them in their case. This will safeguard them from damage and prevent chances of misplacement.
Regular Dental Visits
We schedule frequent orthodontist visits for all of our patients.
During the visits, we can check the progress of your treatment and alignment of your teeth. If we note any issues, we can adjust your treatment method to help achieve optimal results.
Schedule Your Consultation
Clear aligners come in handy to beautifully align your teeth.
However, it would be best if you visited our clinic at Cooley Smiles so that we can customize aligners that fit comfortably and help to shift your teeth.
Our modern tools take accurate 3-D images to ensure we have an accurate impression of your mouth. This allows you to get world-class orthodontic treatment.
If you have any questions or want to book an appointment, contact us at (425) 249-3509 for more information!
