Invisalign®: From Crooked Teeth to A Beautiful Smile
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign® is a type of teeth aligner in orthodontic dentistry that straightens teeth to improve the appearance of a smile. The aligners are virtually invisible because they feature a clear, plastic-like material. This provides an incredible alternative for conservative patients who do not want to draw too much attention to their mouths with conspicuous metal brackets. It explains why many adults are now reconsidering orthodontic treatment when they have been against it for a long time.
How does Invisalign work?
Invisalign is very different from traditional metal braces. The teeth aligners work by applying controlled pressure on teeth gradually over time. At first, you will undergo a comprehensive dental exam with your orthodontist to create a treatment plan. The treatment plan will help guide the direction of movement of your teeth while estimating the longevity of the entire treatment. Besides that, the dentist near you takes impressions of your teeth to create customized clear aligners to move your teeth.
On your first day of treatment, a dentist near you will have you wearing a tray of clear plastic-like aligners. They will have a snugness as they are tailored to your smile. The aligners will shift your teeth for several weeks before they stop being as snug as before. After about 6 weeks, you will visit your dentist in Oxnard, CA, for a new set of clear aligners. During the visit, your dentist will observe the movement of your teeth and track your progress. You will keep the new tray of clear aligners for another few weeks before replacing them. This trend will continue throughout your treatment, and you may have worn about 30-32 aligners by the end of your treatment.
How Long Does It Take to Get Invisalign?
Deciding to get Invisalign in Oxnard does not mean you will get them immediately you visit our dental offices at Dentistry by Sea Bridge. Our dental team will be preparing your clear aligners for between 2-4 weeks before they are ready for wearing. The reason is that Invisalign has to be customized perfectly to your smile to get the job done. After taking the impressions of your teeth, our dental team needs some time to tailor the aligners to your smile. Besides that, the treatment plan will be necessary to dictate the progress of the alignment process for your teeth to achieve desired results.
How Long Should You Wear an Invisalign Retainer After Treatment?
Wearing retainers is mandatory after any orthodontic procedure. Retainers are orthodontic devices that help hold your teeth in place after repositioning. The goal is to prevent them from going back to their original position and undermining the work done by braces. After Invisalign, orthodontists recommend wearing retainers every day and night for the first couple of months. This period will allow new bone tissue to form around the new position of your teeth, assuring long-term success. After a year or so, your dentist may recommend wearing the retainers at night only. The more stable your teeth become, the more flexible you can be when wearing retainers. However, you may need to wear retainers for the rest of your life to maintain the position of your teeth.
Why Should You Get Invisalign?
No matter how popular these clear aligners are, have concrete reasons for choosing them over their counterparts in orthodontics. Some reasons to support your decision for getting Invisalign are:
- Aesthetic advantage – instead of the conspicuous metal brackets on your teeth, you can opt for Invisalign, which offers a virtually invisible solution for straightening teeth.
- Improved comfort levels – Invisalign braces are far more comfortable than metal braces. The reason is that they feature a plastic-like, soft material that glides smoothly on your mouth.
- Ease of maintenance – a huge factor in choosing Invisalign aligners is that they are removable. The removability allows you to clean your teeth and clear aligners properly to maintain excellent oral health.
- No dietary restrictions – since you have to remove your Invisalign braces to eat, you do not necessarily have any restrictions on food choices. The only requirement is that you do not eat with your Invisalign aligners as you would risk breaking or damaging them. Besides that, always remember to brush your teeth before wearing the clear aligners again.