What Are The Benefits Of Invisalign?
Invisalign is an ingenious orthodontic system that uses clear medical-grade plastic trays to align teeth perfectly. This blog will describe Invisalign's many benefits and explain how the system works to give you a stunning smile.
Comfort
The aligners are smooth to the touch and have no sharp edges. Unlike the wires and brackets of traditional braces, the Invisalign trays will not cut into your delicate oral tissues and cause sores.
Discretion
With Invisalign, you can improve your smile and your dental bite without drawing undue attention to yourself. Unlike traditional braces, it allows orthodontic treatment to stay private.
Ease of Use
The Invisalign treatment routine is easy to follow. Simply brush your teeth and clean your aligners in the morning, put the aligners over your teeth, and wear them all day, taking them off to eat and drink. It is vital to wear your aligners at least 22 hours daily, or the system may not work as desired.
Better Oral Hygiene
Invisalign is easy to remove when it's time to brush and floss. Since you can take your aligners out, it will be easier to clean your teeth and gums. Braces can sometimes lead to extra tooth decay and gum disease due to the difficulty in cleaning under and around them.
No Food Restrictions
With Invisalign, you do not need to miss your favorite snacks. Popcorn, chips, and nuts are fine to eat, provided you brush and floss properly and always keep your aligners clean when not wearing them.
Effectiveness Comparable to Braces
Invisalign and braces are equally effective when you follow the treatment instructions. As with all orthodontic treatment, wearing a retainer after treatment is key to long-lasting results.
The Invisalign Process
The first step in getting Invisalign is scheduling a consultation with your dentist. The dentist will discuss your treatment expectations and determine whether you are a good candidate.
The dentist will take digital photos of your mouth using a small intraoral scanner and assemble these photos into a 3-D digital model. They will use the model to plan your treatment and show you the results you can expect.
When the aligners return from the dental laboratory, the dentist will place the first set. The dentist will ask you to change aligners every one to two weeks. You will attend a follow-up appointment every six weeks to check your progress.
Your teeth will move a few at a time, shifting and rotating until they are in the correct positions. The process takes about 12 to 18 months for most patients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign
Who is a good candidate for Invisalign?
- Adults and older teens
- People with no missing teeth
- People in generally good oral health
- People who can follow directions to wear the appliances at least 22 hours daily
Can Invisalign correct an overbite?
Invisalign can correct minor dental bite issues. You may need composite "buttons" placed on your teeth to hold elastics that hold the jaw in the correct alignment.
Call Excellent Dentistry
If you feel self-conscious about your smile and are looking to make a change, please call our Mundelein, IL office at 847-566-7850. We can set up a consultation to discuss Invisalign and help you decide whether this system would benefit you.