Invisalign is the latest and greatest method for straightening crooked teeth and correcting bite issues. This popular orthodontic treatment utilizes clear aligners that are placed over the teeth to apply pressure that ultimately results in movement. The use of clear aligners also comes with two main benefits. The first is that they are barely noticeable when in use and the second is that they can easily be removed before eating, brushing, and flossing. This allows you the ability to undergo orthodontic treatment without drastically altering your life.
Did You Know?
Invisalign was approved by the FDA in 1998 and started being used for orthodontic treatment in 1999. Since then, Invisalign has been used to treat over 8 million smiles around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Invisalign right for me?
Invisalign may be right for you if your teeth are crooked, overcrowded, or have gaps between them. Invisalign may also be right for you if you have an underbite, overbite, crossbite, or open bite. In some cases, however, alternate orthodontic treatments may be more beneficial. To determine if Invisalign is the right orthodontic treatment for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Martin today!
How do I start Invisalign treatment?
To start Invisalign treatment, the first step is to schedule a consultation. A consultation allows Dr. Martin to evaluate your teeth and bite, as well as take oral scans of your mouth. These digital oral scans are then uploaded into Invisalign’s treatment planning program, which allows you and Dr. Martin to preview the projected results and treatment timeline. This allows Dr. Martin to ultimately determine if Invisalign is right for you. If so, the information from the oral scans will be used to fabricate your clear aligners.
What happens during Invisalign treatment?
When your clear aligners have been successfully fabricated by a dental lab, you will return to our office to receive directions on how to use an care for them. At your appointment, Dr. Martin will place the first aligner and show you how to properly insert and remove the aligners. This first aligner will then be worn for a designated period of time before being switched to the next aligner in the series.
Since Invisalign is a progressive treatment, there are multiple aligners that will need to be worn in order to obtain the desired results. These aligners are intended every 1-2 weeks in order to continue the progression of tooth movement. It is also important to wear each aligner for about 20-22 hours per day and to only remove the aligner when eating, flossing, brushing, or drinking something that is not water.
While having Invisalign treatment performed, it is also important to properly maintain your aligners. They will first need to be kept clean with daily brushings, as well as with water that is not so hot that it alters their shape. Another part of keeping your aligners clean is keeping your teeth clean. This consists of twice daily brushing and daily flossing, as well as brushing after meals or sugary drinks.
How long will I need Invisalign?
Although the average time it takes to complete Invisalign treatment is 18 months, this number can actually vary depending on your initial case, treatment goals, and ability to follow all dental guidelines.