Do you have crooked teeth? Is tooth misalignment impacting the look of your smile? Invisalign may be the right solution for your orthodontic and aesthetic needs.
Invisalign is an orthodontic and cosmetic dentistry treatment we provide for patients in our Lansdale, PA dental office. Invisalign lets patients straighten their smiles discreetly and comfortably without irritating metal brackets and wires. Compared to metal braces, Invisalign aligners are less noticeable, more convenient, and user-friendly. An orthodontist in Lansdale, Dr. Albert can help patients through every aspect of their Invisalign journey, from the initial consultation to the final results.
Treatment with Invisalign
To plan for Invisalign treatment, our team will take x-rays for a detailed view of the teeth. They will then recommend appropriate orthodontic treatment depending on the severity of the malocclusion or misalignment. Teens and adults are the best candidates for treatment with Invisalign. If our dentists find that you have severe orthodontic problems, they may recommend traditional braces. In cases where there is a significant jaw structure concern, oral surgery may be the best solution.
Once our team decides that Invisalign is right for you, they will digitally scan the teeth to take impressions. These impressions are sent to a dental lab to fabricate the Invisalign aligners. When the first set of aligners is complete, our team will ensure a proper fit. Invisalign aligners are worn in pairs, and each set is worn for several weeks. Because each set is different, they will shift the teeth into a more aligned position over time.
Why Choose Invisalign?
Invisalign is one of the most popular forms of straightening missing teeth. One of the top reasons people choose it is because it’s discreet. Other orthodontic solutions involve metal fixtures that are prominent in your smile. Invisalign clear aligners are transparent, and it’s hard to notice them on your teeth unless someone is specifically looking for them. It eliminates the anxiety and self-esteem issues patients may have about teeth straightening.
You don’t have to eliminate foods from your diet if you have Invisalign. There are no brackets or wires for food to stick to or break. Though you must wear the aligners for 20-22 hours a day, you can take them out to eat, drink beverages that aren’t water, and perform your oral healthcare routine. You also don’t have to learn special techniques to brush and floss around wires. You can keep doing everything that you normally do.
Invisalign aligners are made of smooth plastic that doesn’t irritate the soft tissues in your mouth. Metal components of braces can cut into the inside of your lips and cheeks, causing discomfort. You don’t have to visit the dentist as often as you would with braces. Braces require an orthodontist to tighten wires every month to shift your teeth. With Invisalign, you change out your own aligners every two weeks. We require only minimal checkups to ensure treatment is going well.
Lastly, treatment with Invisalign is often cheaper and shorter than traditional methods. On average, treatment with Invisalign takes around 12-18 months, while braces often take multiple years. Braces require more invasive procedures, too, involving brackets getting cemented to the front of your teeth, along with multiple office visits. This drives up the price.
Caring for Your Invisalign Aligners
Your Invisalign aligners can only function properly if you care for them correctly. When you take your aligners out, rinse them with warm water. Don’t use hot, as it can warp the plastic material. This removes saliva and debris buildup that accumulates while you wear them. After eating, brush and floss your teeth, or at least rinse your mouth with water. Otherwise, food can get trapped between your aligner and teeth.
You should never eat or drink anything but water when you have the aligners in. When you eat or drink things that can stain, like strawberries, coffee, and red wine, brush your teeth afterward, as they can stain the aligners when you wear them after consuming. Your aligners won’t be transparent anymore, and people will be able to see them.
Daily, brush your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste or mild soap. This removes buildup and keeps your aligners smelling fresh, preventing odor-causing bacteria from multiplying. At least once a week, use a special aligner or denture cleaner to soak your aligners and sterilize them. It takes care of any bacteria that the daily cleanings haven’t eliminated.
Keep the aligners in a ventilated carrying case when you take them out. Bacteria love a warm, wet environment, and the ventilation helps prevent bacteria buildup. A case also ensures that you always know where your aligners are. They can easily get placed on a napkin and thrown out after eating.
Invisalign FAQs
Learn more about Invisalign treatment with answers to these frequently asked questions:
What is the average treatment time for Invisalign?
Invisalign treatment typically takes a year to a year and a half. This will depend on the misalignment of the teeth as well as patient compliance. If you properly care for your aligners, you may shorten your treatment time.
How long do I have to wear my aligners each day?
At minimum, you need to wear the aligners for 20-22 hours a day. You should only take out the aligners when you’re eating or performing your oral healthcare routine. If you don’t wear them for the proper amount of time, your treatment won’t be completed on time.
Does Invisalign treatment hurt?
Adjusting to each new pair of aligners may feel sore, but this discomfort will quickly fade. Compared to braces, Invisalign aligners are much more comfortable. Patients who choose Invisalign do not have to worry about gum irritation from metal wires that can poke at the gums.
Can I speed up my Invisalign treatment?
No, and it’s important that you don’t try. When you switch to a new set of aligners, you feel some soreness as your teeth adjust to the new position. But it doesn’t mean that you’re ready to switch to the next set. The teeth and gums need time to fully adjust. If you try to speed up treatment, your teeth loosen and can even fall out because their foundation isn’t secure.
Does Invisalign work permanently?
Whether or not Invisalign results are permanent will depend on the patient’s post-treatment care. After the Invisalign treatment, most orthodontists recommend wearing retainers to maintain the new position of your teeth. For the best permanent results, you should commit to wearing them as your orthodontist prescribes. If you can do this, you can maintain Invisalign results permanently. However, your teeth may gradually shift back over time without retainer use.
How soon do you see Invisalign results?
Invisalign treatment plan usually takes 12 to 18 months to straighten teeth fully. However, some patients may see noticeable results within the first few weeks of treatment. Every patient’s situation is different. The timeline for Invisalign treatment can also vary depending on the patient’s age. In general, the treatment timeline for adults is similar to that of teenagers. However, adults may require longer treatment times. This is usually due to adults having more complex cases.
Straighten Your Smile with Invisalign
Do you want a straight, uniform smile? Schedule a dental appointment with our cosmetic team on our dental website. You can also call our dental office for a consultation today at 267-651-7247.