Is It Better to See Orthodontists for Invisalign?

Most people are comfortable with their dentists. They prefer to have them perform all their treatments. However, some dentists are not qualified to provide specialized procedures such as orthodontics. If your dentist is among them, you may be conflicted on who should provide your Invisalign treatment. Read on to find out whether it is better to see an orthodontist or a dentist.

What Is Invisalign Treatment?

It is a tooth straightening treatment using a series of clear plastic aligners. They are customized to fit the misaligned teeth, gradually moving them to the correct positions. Invisalign aligners are removable. They must be taken out when eating or drinking colored or hot liquids. You must also take them out to clean your mouth and the trays.

Treatment with Invisalign requires you to wear the aligners for at least 20 hours each day. You will receive two to four aligner trays worn for about two weeks, then changed for the next. After wearing all the trays, your teeth will be straight, creating a perfect smile.

What Do Orthodontists Do for Invisalign?

Generally, an orthodontist is a dentist who has undergone extra training in orthodontics. They specialize in teeth alignment and creating the ideal jaw and teeth structure. Therefore, an orthodontist can perform the work of a dentist as well as orthodontics in Oxnard, CA.

They have expertise in the movement of the jaw, teeth, and surrounding tissues. In addition, they receive training in orthodontic diagnosis. They are also trained in treatment planning, biomechanics, and treatment systems. This enables them to achieve multiple goals when providing Invisalign treatment. These include aesthetics, oral health, and bite and jaw function.

How Long Is the Process before You Get Braces?

The first step to getting your braces is consultation with an orthodontist. This expert will evaluate your smile to determine if Invisalign treatment is ideal. Next, they will scan your face and smile to get a virtual model of your gums and teeth. Finally, they will create a treatment plan and fabricate your Invisalign aligners.

After the initial scans, the Invisalign technology experts will fabricate the trays within two weeks. Then, your orthodontist will contact you to get the devices. Sometimes, they may make some adjustments to your teeth to aid the tooth movement process.

Can I Get Invisalign with Missing Teeth?

Yes, getting teeth straightened with Invisalign is possible if you have missing teeth. Invisalign braces can be fabricated for an arch with a few missing teeth. However, your mouth must be healthy without signs of gum disease or tooth infections. If you lose teeth due to oral health issues, you must have them treated first.

The experts providing orthodontics in Oxnard, CA, recommend teeth straightening before teeth replacements. Missing teeth create a gap for adjacent teeth to shift out of their positions and fill it up. This leads to misalignment issues that affect your smile, oral health, and teeth functionality.

Orthodontic treatment is ideal before replacing the lost teeth. First, the expert will move the misaligned teeth to their proper positions. This creates adequate space for tooth restoration. Besides, restorations such as implants are permanent. Therefore, they cannot be moved like natural teeth and will impede the realignment process.

How Do You Clean Invisalign Aligners?

During orthodontics with Invisalign, you must maintain excellent oral hygiene. So, brush your teeth after each meal and floss daily to avoid decay. The trays must also be cleaned at least twice a day. Doing so prevents bacteria and plaque from hiding inside the aligners resulting in unsightly stains. Unfortunately, the plaque can also lead to cavities, gum disease, or tooth discoloration.

Some people use a brush, mouthwash, or homemade solutions to clean clear aligners. However, you should use products suitable for cleaning the clear thermoplastic material. An example is Invisalign cleaning crystals.

These are crystals made from various ingredients which dissolve when placed in water. Soaking your aligner in the solution for 15-30 minutes helps kill germs and bacteria. After soaking the tray, clean it gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush to eliminate visible plaque. Invisalign cleaning crystals are safe and ensure clean, healthy, and stain-free smiles.

When considering getting Invisalign treatment, go to an experienced and qualified dental professional. You can get such an expert at Dentistry by Sea Bridge. Contact us today to improve your smile’s appearance and alignment.