What You Should Know Before Getting Invisalign

Orthodontics has come a long way since the old days, when your only option for treatment would have been a clunky set of uncomfortable braces. Today’s options for effective orthodontic treatment are vast, more advanced than ever, and include Invisalign.

What Is Invisalign?

The Invisalign Clear Aligner System was developed around the turn of the century and has grown in popularity ever since. This innovative option for orthodontic treatment uses medical-grade plastic aligners rather than the metal wires and brackets found in traditional braces. These trays are molded to the exact shape of the patients’ teeth, only with slight adjustments to begin the first stage of treatment.

After wearing your initial sets of trays, you come into the office to have your progress assessed, at which point you will get a new collection of trays for the next stage of adjustment. This continues until your treatment is done and you have your beautiful straight smile!

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign has several advantages. For one, the aligners are entirely clear. Someone would have to look really close to your teeth to even notice they were there. This means you get to enjoy a clean and uncluttered smile for the duration of the treatment process.

The other advantage of choosing Invisalign is the aligners are removable. Rather than being glued in place like traditional braces, Invisalign trays snap in place over the teeth. This means you can take your Invisalign trays out any time you eat or drink. So instead of having to deal with a long list of off-limits foods for your treatment, you can indulge in any food or drink you like as long as you remember to take your trays out. You should also keep up with regular cleaning to avoid tooth decay and calcium buildup on your trays.

It’s far easier to clean your teeth with Invisalign compared to other treatment options. Simply take your trays out and brush your teeth with no restrictions. Plus, you can floss normally instead of having to deal with the hassle of threading your floss between brackets and wires.

If you play an instrument or a sport, you don’t have to worry about the wires or brackets of regular braces being pressed against your cheeks or lips. Your aligners can be worn while playing an instrument and during physical activities with a low risk of injury. For sports with more physical contact, the aligners can be removed and replaced with a protective mouthguard.

You Play a Role in Your Success

Having removable aligners is very convenient, but it also means you have to be diligent in keeping up with treatment. To achieve your desired result in the treatment time given by your orthodontist, Invisalign trays should not be removed for more than approximately two hours a day. They must remain in place for at least twenty-two hours a day to effectively align your teeth, and about every two weeks you will need to replace the tray.

A Perfect Option for Teen and Adult Patients

Invisalign is a great treatment option for the typical teen or pre-teen patient, especially if they feel self-conscious about their appearance. Having removable aligners also makes dealing with packing lunches much easier since you don’t have to worry about food restrictions. Invisalign makes it safer to play team sports and will allow teens to play in band without any issues. You can even choose to include compliance indicators on the aligners to help keep your teen accountable and encourage them to keep up with their treatment.

As an adult, you can keep an age-appropriate look with Invisalign as you navigate your career and your social life. Plus, you can rest assured your wedding photos will look perfect, even if you’re still in the middle of treatment.

To learn more about Invisalign and to see if you qualify, contact Dabney Orthodontics today!