Are you wanting a celebrity smile, but you feel embarrassed because your teeth are crooked or misaligned? If you have been living with these dental issues all your life, then consider how much better you will feel if you invest in orthodontics? The good news is that you don’t have to suffer through traditional brackets and wires on your teeth. Instead, transform your teeth with Invisalign.
Invisalign vs Traditional Orthodontics
Most people are familiar with Invisalign. You probably have a family member, friend, or neighbor who has used Invisalign in the past. Did you notice when they were wearing clear aligners?
If you look closely, then you will be able to tell that the teeth are covered by the Invisalign trays. But people don’t often notice this detail upon the initial meeting. Invisalign is designed to blend in with your smile, helping to minimize the appearance that you have anything in your mouth.
With traditional orthodontics, you have brackets that are bonded to your teeth, with wires attached to the brackets to move your teeth into the ideal position. On the other hand, Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic trays that are custom fit to your mouth. You wear each set of trays for a few weeks before it’s time to move onto the next set.
Invisalign is possible because of the many advances in technology that have been discovered in recent years. The computer system analyzes your current teeth position, then puts together a model of how your teeth will look after the treatment. Then, the aligners are custom designed in a series that will gently move your teeth into this ideal position over the course of the treatment.
Invisalign is easy to use and requires minimal maintenance. Many people prefer Invisalign over traditional braces because these clear aligners are much more comfortable and functional compared to brackets and wires.
What to Expect During an Invisalign Treatment
When you choose to move forward with Invisalign, there are a few things you need to know about how this treatment works.
- Initial Consultation: The first step is to talk to an Invisalign dentist to see if you are a good candidate for this treatment. If you have minor (or even moderate) tooth misalignment, then Invisalign might be an effective solution to move the teeth into place. On the other hand, more severe misalignment concerns usually need to be addressed with traditional orthodontics.
- Wearing the Aligners: The only way Invisalign is effective is if you are wearing the aligners throughout the day. Even though there is a small adjustment period, you can quickly get used to having these aligners in your mouth. Make sure you are wearing the aligners for a minimum of 22 hours per day. When you remove the trays to eat, it’s important that you put the aligners back in your mouth as quickly as possible after the meal. The more time you wear the aligners during the day, the faster and more effective your treatment will be.
- Dentist Checkups: Your Invisalign dentist will give you a few sets of aligners during your appointment. Follow the instructions to progress through these sets in the correct order. Also, make sure you are diligent about attending your follow-up appointments as scheduled. During the checkup the dentist will evaluate your progress and determine if any adjustments need to be made to your treatment. Additionally, you will receive the next few aligner sets in the series.
If any questions come up between your appointments, then never hesitate to reach out to your dentist for more information. Consistency is the key to success with Invisalign, which is why you need to make sure you are following the correct instructions based on the dentists’ recommendations.
Other Cosmetic Dental Treatments
While Invisalign alone can make a big difference to upgrade the appearance of your smile, you might also consider other complimentary cosmetic dental services. Talk to your dentist about your goals and show them a photo of the smile that you want to achieve.
What other services might you consider to transform your teeth into the perfect smile? Here are a few options:
- Teeth Whitening: In addition to aligning the positioning of your teeth, also look at options to brighten the color of your teeth at the same time. It’s common for tooth stains and discoloration to start to show up over time, due to aging, certain foods and drinks (coffee, tea, red wine, etc.), using certain medications, as well as lifestyle factors like smoking. You can reserve these stains and discoloration through professional teeth whitening services.
- Veneers: Dental veneers offer a fast and effective makeover to update your smile quickly and effectively. Sometimes, veneers are used as an alternative to Invisalign if there are only mild issues that need to be corrected. Often, patients choose Invisalign first to align the jaws and teeth. Then veneers can be a follow-up treatment to correct any minor concerns and improve the smile overall. These customized veneer shells are bonded to cover up the visible surface of the teeth.
- Tooth Restorations: As you are aligning your teeth, also talk to the dentist if there are any missing or damaged teeth in need of treatment. For example, it might be a good time to invest in a dental implant and crown to fill in a gap. Or, talk to your dentist about bonding or minor tooth repairs that can improve the size and shape of any damaged teeth.
Transform Your Teeth to Boost Your Confidence
There is no question that Invisalign is a great investment! When you align your teeth and improve your smile, it can have a positive impact on your overall confidence. In fact, a confident smile can impact every area of your life, career, relationships, social activities, and more.
If you are looking for solutions to boost your confidence and upgrade your appearance, then reach out to our team to learn more about Invisalign and other cosmetic dental treatments. We are here to help! Schedule a consultation with Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas at your convenience.
