What is Invisalign treatment?
Invisalign treatment uses clear plastic aligners to slowly bring your teeth into alignment and reshape your smile. These removable aligners are custom fit for your mouth using a 3D image scan, and are made of a specialized SmartTrack® material to ensure a great fit and maximize your comfort. Invisalign treatment is a great option for anyone who needs mild to moderate orthodontic correction, but who doesn’t want to spend months dealing with uncomfortable or unattractive traditional orthodontic braces.
How does Invisalign treatment work?
Invisalign aligners work the same way that traditional orthodontic braces work, by putting pressure on your teeth to encourage them to change alignment over time. Once you’ve been fit for your first aligner, you and your dentist at CaliDental will go over your treatment plan for the next 12-18 months. You’ll get a new aligner every 1-2 weeks as your teeth slowly shift into place, and you’ll have regular checkups with your dentist to track your progress.
When do I wear my Invisalign aligners?
For your aligners to work effectively, you’ll need to wear them about 20-22 hours a day. Your aligners should fit comfortably enough that you can sleep in them easily, but you can take them off whenever you need to. Because you can remove your aligners before eating and drinking, there isn’t any food restriction with Invisalign, as there are with traditional braces. You can also remove your aligners to brush and floss, before athletic activity, or for a special occasion.
Is Invisalign treatment painful?
Invisalign offers a superior alternative to the pain that comes with traditional metal orthodontics. Most people who use Invisalign aligners describe the feeling as a gentle but constant pressure on their teeth. This can cause some slight discomfort, especially during your first several days wearing a new aligner tray. While this pressure is normal and a sign that your aligners are working as designed, you should consult your dentist if the aligners cause you chronic pain.
What can Invisalign treat?
Invisalign can be used to treat a number of the most common dental misalignments, including:
- Overbite, when your upper front teeth sit in front of your lower teeth
- Underbite, when your lower front teeth sit in front of your upper teeth
- Cross bite, when your upper and lower teeth don’t line up evenly
- Gapped teeth, or excess space between teeth
- Open teeth, when your top and bottom teeth don’t meet with your jaws closed
- Crowded teeth, when there’s insufficient space for your teeth in your jaw
Invisalign can be used even when you still have some of your baby teeth and are generally useful in promoting a straighter, more even smile.
If you’re interested in clear aligner trays from Invisalign, call CaliDental today or make an appointment online.
