Everyone can benefit from a straighter smile. However, traditional braces can be cumbersome, uncomfortable, and not aesthetically pleasing. For eligible patients,Invisalign® clear aligners offer a convenient alternative that can allow you to receive better dental alignment while avoiding metal braces.
What are the Advantages of Invisalign®?
- Straightens crooked teeth
- Treats tooth crowding, gaps, and mild to moderate over-bites and under-bites
- Allows you to continue eating your favorite foods
- Removable for optimal dental hygiene
- Less time at the dentist’s office and away from home or work
- Made of comfortable plastic rather than hard metal
Metal braces may actually cause discoloration and damage to some people’s teeth. This is especially true for teenagers, who often do not understand the consequences of improper dental hygiene, and the special care one must take when fitted with traditional braces. This can result in further treatments to restore enamel and uniform color, leading to higher overall costs.
Invisalign® is a virtually invisible option. The aligner trays made of smooth, comfortable, BPA-free plastic that fit over your teeth to gently re-align your smile. Unlike traditional braces, these clear aligners allow you to continue your at-home oral care routine without any need to adjust to metal brackets or wires. Simply remove the aligners before brushing and flossing, as well as before you eat or drink. Invisalign is a discreet treatment that straightens teeth without noticeable brackets, making them perfect for every occasion.
The Invisalign® Process
To create your initial set of Invisalign aligner trays, dental impressions are taken and minimal x-ray imaging is performed. From these, laboratory technicians at Invisalign use their proprietary software to make a 3D model of your teeth and manufacture your clear aligners. Your dentist provides exact specifications to ensure your first trays and each subsequent set are designed to reflect your exact orthodontic progress in order to produce ideal results.
Each set of aligners is typically worn for two weeks at a time. The teeth move approximately 1/10mm every two weeks by using the different trays. Each tray corrects the teeth slightly and will have aligned to fit the next tray in the series by the time it is ready to be used.
In order to obtain the optimal benefits of treatment, you should leave the trays in for at least 22 hours out of the day.
If you have gaps, overcrowding, a mild to moderate over-bite or under-bite and can commit to wearing the trays as directed, then you ARE a candidate for Invisalign.
However, not everyone is an ideal candidate. While consulting with your dentist is the best way to determine if Invisalign is right for you, those in the following situations may achieve better results through other methods:
- Children whose permanent teeth have not finished coming in
- Patients with advanced periodontal disease
- Complex malocclusion, including significant over-bites or under-bites
Even in these cases, patients may be able to receive Invisalign at a later point in time. If needed, younger patients can opt for Invisalign later in life, once their bite has had the opportunity to develop appropriately. For those with significant gum disease, you may be able to start treatment after your dentist or qualified specialist has addressed your periodontal issues.
At her practice in Totowa, Dr. Zoya Mitelberg offers the discreet and convenient option of Invisalign to assist patients with mild to moderate dental alignment issues. For more information and to schedule a consultation visit, contact Dental Arts of Totowa today!