Invisalign

These days, many adults are choosing to straighten their teeth and get the smile they have always wanted by using Invisalign or other Clear Aligner Therapy. There are many similarities and differences between straightening adult teeth vs straightening a child’s teeth. Many of the strategies and forces used with the aligners are similar between adult and children’s orthodontics. The big differences between the two are that adult teeth generally move slower, and we know that the face will not be growing and changing significantly during treatment.

One of the most important tips for successful adult orthodontics, or Clear Aligner Therapy, is to make sure the aligners are worn consistently. Most clear aligners need to be worn 22 hours a day, basically just enough time to eat meals and get the aligners back in. We have found that patients who leave the aligners out longer than 2 hours a day have trouble finishing their treatment on time and will have to restart their case multiple times. If you think you may have trouble remembering to wear the aligners, a non-removeable orthodontic solution like wires and brackets may be a more predictable treatment route.

There are a multitude of benefits of getting orthodontic treatment as an adult. One common benefit is an improvement in your smile. Teeth that are crooked and out of place tend to create a smaller and more constricted smile, whereas teeth that are straight create a broad smile that is easy to be proud of. Another benefit is improved tooth function when chewing. When teeth are aligned properly, they also function properly, leading to less tooth wear and more support if you tend to clench or grind your teeth.

Many of our patients choose to have their orthodontic treatment done at our office because of the familiar surroundings and amazing staff who will help you through the process. We can coordinate your hygiene/cleaning appointments with your orthodontics appointments to minimize your number of visits. We do our best to provide excellent communication with you throughout your treatment so that you know what to expect and can get the best possible outcome.

Our office exclusively provides Clear Aligner Therapy for our patients. We work closely with local orthodontists for cases that would benefit from wire and bracket orthodontics, or for cases that are more complex. Call our office today and ask how you could benefit from Adult Clear Aligner Therapy!

Invisalign is a clear aligner system that can achieve many of the same movements as traditional wire and bracket orthodontics, while being more comfortable and less obvious that you are undergoing treatment. Each tray moves your teeth up to 0.25mm using pressure applied by the tray, creating a comfortable and consistent movement that can achieve your esthetic smile goals.

There are many benefits to Invisalign treatment over traditional braces. Because Invisalign trays are planned out digitally before you even begin treatment, there is less pain involved as the movements are much more controlled. Invisalign trays can also be removed so that you can still enjoy your favorite foods during treatment. No wires means no pokey metal ends and more comfortable lips and cheeks!

The time that Invisalign can take ranges from a few months to a few years, depending on how much movement is needed. Generally, Invisalign patients whose changes focus more on esthetics and do not need to move molars or create bite changes will take 6-8 months. More complex movements and malalignments usually take 1.5-2 years. We generally see patients every 6 weeks to ensure that the teeth are following the trays properly. Some patients will need to be evaluated more often or less often; we generally decide based on your unique needs.

The most successful Invisalign patients are those who wear the trays daily and only remove them to eat. Invisalign recommends that the trays be worn 22 hours a day, giving you just enough time to eat and get the trays back in. We recommend having sugar free chewing gum with you to remove food particles from your teeth after a meal prior to replacing the trays if brushing your teeth is not convenient.

There are some movements that are difficult to achieve with Invisalign that are better treated with band and wire orthodontics. This includes patients with unerupted teeth, significant intrusion movements, or arch size discrepancies, as well as others.

Schedule an exam with one of our doctors today to see if Invisalign is right for you!