Invisalign: The Better Approach To Straight Teeth
It goes without saying that braces can be a pain in the neck (or mouth). The road to straight teeth is long, tiring, expensive and often uncomfortable. But, what if there was an alternative to all the pesky metal wires, glued on brackets and, the ever dreaded, elastic bands? Enter: Invisalign.
Invisalign, the ‘clear’ alternative
More than 10 million individuals have undergone treatment via Invisalign to date. Of those 4 million, more than 88% have never had to revert to alternative treatment. Now, it should be noted that Invisalign is to be used in non-extreme cases. If you have more severe crookedness/crowding, braces and alternative approaches would be the obvious treatment route. However, more often than not, people who have had braces, or are inquiring about orthodontic treatments of the like, can find the same results with Invisalign.
Main Reasons for choosing Invisalign:
- Crooked/twisted teeth
- Crowding, overbite, overjet
- Spacing/gaps between teeth
- Don’t like the look of traditional braces
- Are looking for a more convenient way to align teeth
How it works
Before you can begin your Invisalign treatment, you will first need to ensure you are up to date on your dental cleanings and X-rays. Once you have ensured your teeth are ready, you will begin by first being scanned into the Align system. Once a 3D rendering of your teeth are created, the Dentist and the team at Align work together to create a treatment plan specific for you and your teeth. You will even be provided with a “future” look at what your smile has the potential to become!
As your aligners are being molded, small grips called “buttons” are strategically placed on specific teeth to ensure the aligners can shift and move your teeth properly. Once your aligners are created, you will be required to wear them for specific amounts of time, directed by your dentist. The aligners will be replaced on an average of every 1-2 weeks as your teeth begin to transition. Your treatment length is determined by a variety of factors including patient compliance, age, severity of misalignments/gaps, and much more. A typical treatment plan, from start to finish, is within 6-12 months**
Take a bite, it won’t hurt!
One of the main attractions of Invisalign is the fact that it is removable at your leisure. Because of this feature, you can eat anything, and everything, that your heart desires (within reason). Since there is no appliance directly cemented onto the teeth, you have free reign to bite into your favorite foods, hard or soft. So, go ahead, bite into that apple!
Can I smoke while using Invisalign?
It is highly recommended that smoking is not performed while using the aligners. It’s possible for them to become discolored and have an unpleasant lingering taste if smoking is consistent.
Is the Treatment Expensive?
Invisalign is, on average, a much more affordable treatment than typical braces and appliances. While the exact cost varies from person-to-person, you can expect to pay a fraction of the cost of braces*
Is Invisalign right for me?
Invisalign itself does not fix your teeth, just as braces don’t either. It takes a skilled dentist with the right knowledge and expertise to create your plan specific for you. Additionally, a skilled dentist also requires the patient to cooperate and perform all the at-home duties required to fix your teeth. Your dentist, paired with the technology of Invisalign, can help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
How Signature Dentistry Can Help
Dr. Johnson is a a Preferred Provider of Invisalign in Lethbridge. He is a very skilled, knowledgeable and experienced dentist, and has had many successes with the aligners. If you’re still on the fence about whether Invisalign can help you achieve your best smile, book an appointment with Dr. Johnson today!
*Every treatment plan cost is based off of length. 6-12 months is typical but not assumed to be expected
**Treatment plans vary in length and not everyone can expect a plan within the 6-12 month range