[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text]
Have you found yourself taking endless selfies recently and not being happy with the results? Do you ever think, “if only I had a better smile?” If so, then don’t worry, you’re not alone.
According to a study by the American Association of Orthodontists, over one-third of Americans feel that they would have a better social life if they had better teeth. Thankfully, many of the issues that we have with our smiles can be fixed with modern orthodontic solutions. And this is where Invisalign can help.
“What is Invisalign?”, you might be wondering. Well, it’s essentially a much more aesthetically pleasing alternative to the traditional metal braces that so many people try to avoid.
Are you interested in learning more Invisalign? Do you want to see if these clear aligners are right for you? If so, then continue reading and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know!
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that can fix a variety of alignment issues, including overcrowding, crooked teeth, overbites, and underbites. It’s a preferred method of treatment by millions of Americans thanks to how easy it is to use and how unnoticeable it is to most people.
To better understand what Invisalign is and how it works, let’s go over the entire treatment process.
The Consultation
Before you actually wear your first Invisalign aligner, you’re first going to have to consult with your orthodontist. During this time, your orthodontist is going to examine your mouth. This is going to let them know if Invisalign is a good treatment for your oral issues.
During this time, feel free to talk to your orthodontist about any questions or concerns you might have. They can go over what the next steps of the Invisalign process are going to be for you and can answer any questions you might have.
As a result of this, you’re going to have a much clearer idea of what to expect before your treatment actually starts.
X-Rays
Either during the consultation or at a later time, the orthodontist will take X-rays and impressions of your teeth. All of this will help give your orthodontist a 3D map of your mouth that is going to be used to shape your aligners.
This map is also going to assist your orthodontist in figuring out how your teeth are going to move during the treatment. Throughout the process, you’re going to have multiple sets of aligners. Your orthodontist will then be able to measure your progress and make sure that the teeth are moving as planned.
The data that your orthodontist collects will be sent off to an Invisalign laboratory. There, technicians will manufacture clear aligners to your orthodontist’s exact specifications. They will then ship the aligners to you.
Getting Your Invisalign Retainers
For your first set of aligners, your orthodontist will likely want you to come in so that they can make sure everything is as it should be. You’ll then be expected to wear these aligners for the next several weeks. During this time, your teeth should shift into a more correct position.
After they’ve shifted properly, you’ll receive a new set of aligners that are going to further shift your teeth.
You’ll be expected to wear your Invisalign trays between 20 and 22 hours every day. You should only take your aligners out to eat and to floss and brush your teeth. If you keep them out for any longer, then you might prolong the treatment process.
The length of your treatment is going to depend on how serious your current dental condition is. It’s generally advised to floss and brush right after you eat so that you can shorten the amount of time that you’re not wearing your aligners.
Follow-Up
After you get your first set of aligners, you can then schedule your follow-up appointments. These appointments will help your orthodontist check on your progress. You won’t have to go after you receive each new set of aligners, however.
What to Expect with Invisalign
While Invisalign aligners will likely affect your daily life much less than if you were to wear metal braces, there are still certain things that you should be ready to expect.
First, you might have to adjust the way you speak when you wear your aligners. This is similar to if you wore a standard retainer. During your first few days of treatment, for example, you may notice that you have a slight lisp.
This should go away as your tongue adjusts to the aligners, however.
Also, when you first start to wear your aligners, your teeth and gums might feel compressed. This is normal and shouldn’t be a cause for concern. This is just what naturally happens as the Invisalign works to straighten out your teeth.
No matter what, it’s important that you wear your Invisalign every day. If you don’t, your teeth might not be able to adapt properly.
If you’re feeling tenderness in your mouth, then you can wear dental wax over the edges of your aligner. This will stop the aligner from scraping against your mouth.
And when it comes to maintenance, you should clean your aligners often. This way, they won’t get dirty or discolored.
Is Invisalign Right for You?
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now feel that you have a pretty good answer to the question, “what is Invisalign?” If you’re one of the many adults who is looking to get orthodontic work done, then you should definitely consider this simple and effective treatment.
Are you looking for a new orthodontist to help correct your smile? If so, then contact us today and see what we can do for you!
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]