What You Should Know About Invisalign

What Is Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is a modern method for straightening your teeth, compared to the old traditional standby of getting braces. With Invisalign®, patients are fitted with custom-made clear plastic aligners. These removable aligners fit over their teeth, applying pressure to straighten them.

About every two weeks, patients receive a new set of aligners until their treatment is complete. This keeps their teeth continually moving in the desired direction.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign®?

Invisalign® aligners have several benefits over traditional braces. For one thing, they’re virtually invisible—most people won’t realize you’re wearing them.

Patients also love Invisalign® aligners, because they’re removable. So, you can take them out for eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, special occasions, or even selfies. And because the aligners make it easier to clean your teeth than traditional braces, they help keep tooth decay at bay.

Also, with traditional braces, there are certain foods you have to avoid like sticky, chewy sweets and hard, crunchy snacks. With Invisalign® removable aligners, you can still enjoy all your favorite foods.

Finally, braces have wires that can irritate your mouth. Invisalign® aligners, on the other hand, are trimmed for your gum line and fit snugly. They have no wires or “hard parts” to aggravate your cheeks and gums.

Does Invisalign® Hurt?

Teeth are moved by the application of pressure. Sometimes, that pressure can create minor aches as your teeth shift. That discomfort means treatment is working. When pain occurs, we recommend ibuprofen to patients so they’ll feel more comfortable.

So, yes, Invisalign® aligners may cause slight aches from time to time, particularly as you adjust to wearing a new aligner. However, the pain is short-lived and within a couple of days of receiving your new aligner, you can expect to stop experiencing it.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Invisalign®?

Most people make good Invisalign® candidates. The aligners can be used to fix almost all common straightening and bite issues, from the simple to the complex. The best way to know for sure whether Invisalign® is right for you is to schedule a dental consultation.

How Often Do Invisalign® Aligners Need to Be Worn?

While you can remove your Invisalign® aligners for eating, drinking, and special occasions, you’ll need to wear them most of the time to shift your teeth into place. For the best results, that means wearing them 20-22 hours a day.

At Smiles For Health we offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry services so you can smile with confidence. Call today to schedule your appointment!