What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that is concerned with the correction and straightening of teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly. Problems such as crooked or crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, and incorrect jaw and teeth position are corrected through orthodontics. The purpose of orthodontic treatment is to create straighter teeth in order to create a healthier bite. There are a variety of treatments that will help straighten your teeth, which include braces and retainers. If braces or aligner trays are required for you, then you will be prescribed an appliance that is specific to your needs.

What are Invisalign Aligners?

Invisalign aligners live up to their name by offering a virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth. These custom-crafted, removable, transparent aligners are designed to incrementally move your teeth to their desired positions.

What do Invisalign Aligners treat?

Invisalign aligners offer a versatile treatment for various dental issues, helping you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Some of the issues that Invisalign can address include:

• Gaps between teeth.
• Crooked or misaligned teeth.
• Overcrowding of teeth.
• Incorrect jaw positioning.
• Twisted or rotated teeth.
• Overbite (when the upper jaw overlaps too much with the lower jaw).
• Underbite (when the lower jaw overlaps too much with the upper jaw).

How does Invisalign work?

At Smile Dental, our aim is to offer you the best smile possible, no matter what dental procedure you’re undergoing. We take great pride in delivering meticulous care to our patients. Invisalign treatment is a commitment that requires time to ensure the best outcomes. The length of treatment varies from person to person based on the extent of misalignment, but typically, it lasts around a year or possibly more. After your initial consultation, we will provide a more precise timeline for your treatment.

Invisalign involves a series of clear, removable aligners that you should wear continuously, taking them out only for eating and oral hygiene. For optimal results, aim to wear your aligners for 22-23 hours a day.

We begin your Invisalign journey by taking dental impressions and X-rays. These serve as the basis for creating aligners tailored to your unique needs. After impressions are made, they’re sent to a specialized lab where a computer model of your teeth is developed. This model informs the creation of your future sets of aligners. We use these models to plan your treatment digitally, along with a projection of the results you can expect from each set of aligners. You’ll receive your first set during your next appointment and will return for new sets on a monthly basis.

Your treatment will go through four phases, each requiring you to wear a new set of aligners for about three weeks, followed by a one-week break. Each set of aligners is crafted to gradually move your teeth closer to their ideal positions. The aligners apply gentle, consistent pressure, facilitating this gradual shift.

How to take care of your aligners

Maintaining your Invisalign aligners is similar to caring for your natural teeth. Here are some easy guidelines to ensure the longevity of your aligners:

• Brush and floss before wearing your aligners: It’s essential to clean your teeth to prevent bacterial buildup between your aligners and teeth.
• Avoid eating or drinking while wearing aligners: The aligners are made of a special type of plastic, which could degrade over time if exposed to food or beverages.
• Rinse aligners upon removal: Always rinse off your aligners when you remove them to eliminate saliva, which could encourage bacterial growth.
• Use cold water for rinsing: Hot water can deform the aligners, affecting their ability to straighten your teeth effectively.
• Clean using antibacterial soap, not toothpaste: Gently brush your aligners with a toothbrush to remove any food particles or saliva. Toothpaste can scratch and render the aligners more visible.
• Utilize clear denture or aligner cleaner: Do not soak your aligners in colored mouthwash as it can stain the plastic. Opt for a clear denture or aligner cleaner instead.

If you’re interested in Invisalign treatment or want to learn more, please call our office today to schedule a consultation. We’ll review your options and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.