Feeling embarrassed or self-conscious about crooked, gapped, or misaligned teeth? Invisalign might be the answer!
Unless your smile needs extensive repair and correction, Invisalign is often our #1 recommendation for improving a misaligned or crooked smile.
How do you know if your smile needs more traditional orthodontic care (like braces) or if Invisalign is a good fit? Ask yourself these 3 questions and schedule a consultation to find out for sure.
1. Are you committed to fixing your smile?
Invisalign is relatively easy, but it does require a commitment on your end. To be sure Invisalign is a good fit for you (and will get you the results you’re looking for) you first need to understand what’s involved in the process.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign clear braces are the most modern method to straighten teeth. While traditional orthodontic braces are made from stainless steel, Invisalign utilizes clear, BPA-free safe plastic aligners (similar to a retainer) to slowly shift your teeth into place. These clear aligners are nearly invisible, so most people won’t notice you’re wearing them.
Invisalign is best suited for those who need mild cosmetic changes. But even if your teeth are severely misaligned, don’t discount Invisalign as an option until you talk with your dentist.
How Invisalign works
The Invisalign process involves wearing your set of custom-made clear trays over your top and bottom teeth for at least 22 hours a day.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign retainers is removable. In fact, you’ll need to remove your aligners when you eat and drink (other than water). But some people have a difficult time with this and end up leaving their aligners out too often, and for too long.
The Invisalign process will not work if you don’t wear your aligners for these 22 hours every day. Your trays need this much time to work on gently shifting and aligning your teeth.
You’ll also be visiting your dentist every 2 weeks or so to change to a new set of aligner trays. This helps gradually move your teeth into the final proper position.
How long it takes to straighten your teeth with Invisalign
Most people want to know how long Invisalign takes. The total duration of your Invisalign treatment will vary from person to person. It all depends on how much correction is needed to get your smile where you want it to be!
Most Invisalign treatments typically range anywhere from 6 to 18 months. During your consultation, your dentist will help you understand how much time you’ll need before you see a big improvement in your smile.
Keeping your Invisalign aligners clean
Your Invisalign trays should be removed when eating and when you brush and floss your teeth.
After every meal (or snack), you need to brush and floss before putting your trays back in. You want to make sure there aren’t any remaining food particles hanging around when you put your trays back in.
You also need to clean your Invisalign aligners periodically, too. While brushing your teeth, you can soak your trays in water or a denture cleaner solution, giving them a light scrub with a denture brush. This helps you avoid stinky trays and eliminates any cavity causing bacteria.
Now you know exactly what to expect with Invisalign. So ask yourself: am I committed to following the instructions of my dentist and wearing my aligners as instructed? If you’re not dedicated, it won’t work.
2. What do you want to fix?
Beyond your commitment, the severity of what needs to be fixed is the biggest determinant of if you’re a good Invisalign candidate. Invisalign may not be able to correct more serious issues. Extreme overbites, for example, typically require more advanced orthodontic procedures.
As long as what you’re hoping to fix isn’t overly severe, Invisalign can be effective for correcting:
- Gapped teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
Your dentist will help you understand exactly how your smile needs to be corrected, but you’ll get the best result if you consider your goals ahead of time. During your consultation, talk to your dentist about what you’re hoping to achieve to learn if Invisalign can get you there.
3. How is your dental health?
Your overall dental health will affect your candidacy for Invisalign.
For example, maybe you’re suffering from missing teeth, gum disease, cavities, or gum recession. Invisalign might exacerbate these problems. On the flip side, these problems can hurt your Invisalign results. Your dentist may recommend treating any current health issues first before trying Invisalign.
If your dental health is in great shape, then you’re likely a good candidate. Invisalign is a great option for nearly every age — from older teenagers and adults to seniors. However, children and younger teenagers are not typically recommended for Invisalign because their teeth are still growing.
Whatever your age or dental health, don’t let it stop you from getting a professional opinion. Every situation is unique and yours might be perfectly suited for Invisalign.
Find out for sure if Invisalign is a good fit for you
The only way to know for sure if you and Invisalign are a match is to talk to a dentist.
At Ericson Dental, we want to help you find the perfect treatment for correcting your smile. We are proud to offer Invisalign therapy and have helped hundreds of patients achieve a smile they’re proud of.
Our team would love to meet you, take a look at your teeth, and help you understand whether or not Invisalign can help you achieve your goals. Contact us today to schedule an Invisalign consultation.