Children and young adults often undergo orthodontic treatments with braces to straighten their teeth and correct other functional and aesthetic concerns, but as an adult, you may not want to commit to braces to straighten your teeth, and the good news is, you don’t have to. At Implant & Comprehensive Dentistry in Champions Gate, FL, we offer Invisalign, an alternative to braces that will straighten your teeth and help you achieve your aesthetic goals without obvious brackets and wires.
Is There an Alternative to Braces for Adults Seeking Teeth Alignment?
Adults seeking teeth alignment can benefit from Invisalign, a nearly invisible teeth straightening treatment that’s an effective alternative to braces. Instead of brackets, wires, and rubber bands, Invisalign uses custom-made, clear aligners that patients wear for the majority of the day for several months to a year or longer based on their primary concerns, treatment goals, and concerns. With Invisalign, you can achieve straighter teeth and a beautiful smile without anyone even knowing you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign treatments require patients to wear clear, custom-fit aligners that must be interchanged every few weeks to straighten the teeth. It’s an effective option for adults who don’t want to commit to braces to achieve straighter teeth, and it requires fewer dietary and lifestyle restrictions and is less inconvenient.
These clear aligners apply pressure to the teeth over time to force them into proper alignment. Each aligner is custom-fitted for each patient’s mouth to ensure optimal comfort.
How Does the Treatment Process Work?
Your treatment will begin with an initial consultation. We will meet with you to discuss your treatment goals and evaluate your teeth in person so that we can confirm your treatment eligibility and design your treatment plan. The process begins with creating a digital treatment plan to predict tooth movement with the aligners.
We use a specialized scanner to create a 3D image of your smile so we can design the right treatment plan to help you achieve your goals. Then, these images are used to create your first set of aligners. When you pick up your aligners, we’ll ensure they fit correctly and comfortably. You’ll wear your aligner for one to two weeks before receiving a new aligner to continue with the alignment process.
How Long Do I Need To Wear the Aligners?
For optimal results, you will need to wear your custom aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. You can remove the aligners to eat, brush, and floss. You can also remove them for cleaning, but you must leave them in for most of the day, including while sleeping.
What Can They Treat?
Invisalign can treat the most common orthodontic issues, including crowding, crossbites, underbites, overbites, and gap teeth. The aligners can correct spacing issues and also improve teeth aesthetics.
What Are the Benefits?
Patients who begin an Invisalign treatment plan will achieve straighter teeth and can correct the most common orthodontic issues without relying on braces. Invisalign aligners are comfortable, removable, and made with high-quality resin that prevents pain and discomfort during wear. The custom fit allows for precision and accuracy, and the aligning process doesn’t cause the same discomfort as other treatment options.
Patients can also expect a non-invasive treatment process as treatment relies on X-rays and digital images to create the aligners to straighten the teeth. Aligners also promote improved dental health since patients can reach their cosmetic and orthodontic goals while brushing and flossing normally without interference. Undergoing this treatment also doesn’t require a change in diet since you’ll take the aligners out and can eat all your favorite foods before replacing them once you’re done.
When Will I See Improvements in My Teeth?
Most patients will see improvements in the appearance of their teeth within the first three months of treatment. However, results vary based on your orthodontic goals and the severity of your alignment issues. When you come in for your initial consultation, we can evaluate your teeth and determine how long it will take for you to start to see initial changes as well as final results.
How Do I Care for the Aligners?
Patients who begin an Invisalign treatment plan will need to regularly clean the aligners to ensure they last for the longest amount of time. To care for your aligners, you’ll simply need to rinse them with water and use a soft toothbrush to clean them daily. We’ll also give you more information about a specialty cleaning product that can remove calcium buildup as needed.
Can I Wear the Aligners While Eating?
You must always remove your aligners before eating, drinking, flossing, and brushing. Wearing the aligners while eating can damage them, requiring a new set of liners and delaying your final results. Drinking anything but water with the aligners in place can stain them and cause damage over time.
How Long Will My Results Last?
Orthodontic treatment plans are designed to deliver permanent results, but different factors can cause teeth to shift over time. Wearing a retainer can help keep your teeth properly aligned long term. We can give you more details about the best retainer for your needs, which can help extend the longevity of your results.
Am I a Good Candidate?
The best candidates for Invisalign are patients looking for an alternative to braces who want to treat bite issues, crowding, or spacing issues and achieve perfect teeth alignment. Patients who don’t want to wear braces or use any other orthodontic treatment options to straighten their teeth make good candidates for this alternative option.
During your initial consultation, we can give you more details about the treatment process, answer any questions, and confirm whether Invisalign is right for you.
Straighten Your Teeth Without Braces
Invisalign is the perfect solution for patients who want an alternative to braces. If you’re ready to straighten your teeth and increase your confidence in your appearance, we can help. Contact us at Implant & Comprehensive Dentistry in Champions Gate, FL, to learn more about this process and schedule your consultation.
