Straight teeth don’t just make your smile look more attractive. They can also improve your overall oral health. When your teeth are straight and “lined up,” they’re easier to care for with brushing and flossing, and there are fewer “nooks and crannies” to catch and hold food particles, plaque, and tartar. That means there’s less chance you’ll develop cavities or gum disease (which, by the way, is the primary cause of adult tooth loss in the U.S.). A lot of people think you can only have your teeth straightened while you’re a preteen or teen, but that’s just not true. As long as your teeth and jaw bone are healthy, you can have your teeth straightened as an adult too, and with today’s clear aligners, having your teeth straightened is a lot simpler and less invasive than the days when metal braces were your only option.
At Sunrise Dental of Spokane, we offer Invisalign clear orthodontic aligners to help patients from teens to adults enjoy straight teeth and beautiful smiles. If you’ve been thinking about orthodontic treatment for your teeth, here’s what you need to know about clear aligner treatment at our practice.
How Invisalign works
Invisalign treatment starts with X-rays and a thorough exam to make sure clear aligners are the best solution for you. Once it’s determined you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, your dentist will make an impression (or mold) of your teeth, sending it to the lab where your clear aligners will be custom made. During your visit, your dentist will show you just what your treatment plan will look like as well as the results you can expect, so you can feel confident and motivated about your Invisalign treatment right from the start.
The lab uses the impressions of your teeth and your X-rays to create your aligners. The impressions are “scanned” into a computer that uses 3D technology to create models of the actual aligners. The aligners are created based on these models and using a special plastic material designed for comfort and durability. Your aligners will be made just for you based on your mouth shape, the positions of your teeth, and the desired result.
During your treatment, you’ll wear your aligners for 22 hours each day, taking them out to eat and to brush and floss your teeth. You’ll receive several sets of aligners, and each set will be shaped a little differently, based on your treatment plan. These differences ensure your teeth move gradually into their proper positions. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks, then exchanged for the next set of aligners in the series.
Invisalign vs. traditional braces
Invisalign’s clear aligners offer lots of benefits compared to traditional braces. Of course, the most noticeable is their clear design. Once the aligners are in your mouth, they’re very difficult to detect. That means you won’t feel self-conscious about having a mouthful of metal while you’re receiving treatment. The clear plastic is also very smooth, so they’re extremely comfortable to wear. There are no sharp brackets or wires to poke you or cause sore spots. The smooth plastic combined with the custom fit makes the aligners easy to slip on and off while still ensuring they stay secure once they’re in place.
As far as treatment, that’s simpler too. First, you won’t need as many office visits as you would with traditional braces. With Invisalign, you come in once every six weeks or so to check on your progression. With regular braces, you need monthly visits to tighten your braces so your teeth keep moving. Not only is that more inconvenient, but those tightenings can be pretty painful too. And of course, caring for your teeth is also a lot easier since you don’t have to work around brackets and wires. Just pop off the aligners, brush, floss, and slip the aligners back in place.
Take the next step toward a more beautiful smile Invisalign
You’re never too old for a more beautiful smile. Why suffer from crooked teeth when makes treatment simple and discreet? To find out how clear aligners can help your smile look its best, book an appointment today.
Promo: Too old for a more beautiful smile? Nonsense. With clear aligners, you can get the treatment you need to straighten crooked teeth at any age. Plus, the clear design means you’ll feel more confident during treatment too.