Invisalign
Do you dream of a beautifully straight smile, but don’t want the discomfort and hassle of brackets and wires on your teeth? Invisalign® may make your dream come true.
Invisalign® has become a popular choice for teeth straightening. In fact, more than 17 million people have chosen Invisalign® to straighten their teeth. If you are considering Invisalign® to straighten your teeth, here is what you need to know.
People choose Invisalign® because it provides a wide variety of benefits.
As its name suggests, Invisalign® is nearly invisible to other people. If you are like many people who need to straighten your teeth, you don’t want the metal wires and brackets of traditional braces. Invisalign® aligner trays are made from a clear plastic material, so nobody will know you are wearing them.
Invisalign® frees you from food restrictions! Simply remove the aligners, enjoy your favorite foods and beverages, and then return the Invisalign® aligners back into your mouth when you are done.
Traditional wire braces require special care when it comes to sports and certain other activities. The wires can increase your risk for tongue, cheek and lip injuries if you are hit in the face with a ball, collide with another player, fall, etc.
Because the aligners are removable, simply remove and store your Invisalign® trays in a safe place while you engage in your favorite sports or activities.
Made from advanced plastics and custom-designed to fit precisely over your teeth, Invisalign® applies gentle pressure to move your teeth. You’ll also appreciate the lack of wires and brackets that can cause bleeding and discomfort.
Traditional braces can make it hard to take care of your teeth, as the wires and brackets can prevent you from brushing and flossing as usual. Invisalign® is easy to care for – simply take out the aligner tray, brush and floss and usual, and return the aligners to your mouth.
Research shows that having an appealing smile increases a person’s confidence, self-esteem, and overall appearance. A great smile can also lead to better professional opportunities and greater earning potential.
Because straighter teeth are easier to clean and less prone to decay and chipping, they can result in better oral health over your lifetime. Straighter teeth can also decrease your chances of developing gingivitis and gum disease.
Invisalign® makes your journey to an appealing, unforgettable smile easier and more comfortable than ever before.
Your journey to a great smile starts with a consultation, in which you and our dentist decide if Invisalign® is right for you. During your consultation, our team of dental health professionals will assess your oral health, listen to your goals, and determine if Invisalign® can help you reach your goals.
Your smile is unique, and so is your journey to straighter teeth. A treatment plan is like a roadmap that helps you anticipate the length of treatment, expected outcome, and financial arrangements for your care.
A number of factors will affect the length of your treatment, such as your ability to adhere to the treatment plant. Adults can expect treatment to take about a year, and teenagers can expect to wear Invisalign® aligner trays for about 18 months.
We’ll create a personalized treatment plan by taking detailed digital x-ray images of your teeth and jaws. The information provided by the images helps us chart the course your teeth will take to their optimal location, and determine the shape of each aligner.
You’ll come to our office, where we’ll test the fit of your first aligner trays. We’ll also walk you through the simple process of wearing and caring for them. Our San Diego dentists will provide tips for keeping your Invisalign® trays in good condition and for getting the best results possible. For example, we’ll suggest that you wear your Invisalign® aligners for about 20 to 22 hours each day, rinsing them every time you take them out of your mouth, and brushing your aligners with a non-abrasive cleaner.
You’ll receive a series of aligner trays at pre-determined intervals, usually about once every two weeks. Simply throw away the old aligner and use the new tray. Each Invisalign® aligner gently moves your teeth about 1/10mm towards their final location. Be sure to visit our dentist regularly to ensure that your teeth are moving in the right direction and according to schedule.
You’ll notice a difference in your smile almost right away, but especially as you finish treatment. You may benefit from wearing a retainer for a while to keep your beautifully-straight smile aligned.
For more information on Invisalign®, consult with our dentist in San Diego. We want to help you get the smile of your dreams!