Here, our Summerside dentists explain what to expect before, during and after Invisalign treatment as well as the way Invisalign may be able to help you achieve a straighter smile.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a series of custom-made clear aligners that can help to straighten your teeth without having to rely on traditional metal and wire braces.
Generally speaking, you will wear each set of Invisalign clear aligners for two weeks at a time before switching to the next set in the series. During that time, your aligners will make small, incremental adjustments to your teeth.
Your dentist will determine your specific needs and decide the duration of your treatment plan. You can remove your custom aligners during your treatment for drinking, eating, brushing and flossing. Here are 5 ways your smile will change during your treatment:
Improved Cleanliness During & After Treatment
Since Invisalign trays are removable, you can take your trays out whenever you are ready to floss and brush. You will be able to make sure you can brush and floss your teeth just as easily as normal throughout your treatment.
Your Invisalign clear aligners can also be cleaned - just rinse them or clean them with the Invisalign cleaning crystals. This will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums while your teeth are straightened.
Straighter Teeth
Before starting your treatment, your teeth may be crooked, misaligned or gapped. Invisalign may be able to treat any of these issues either individually or in combination.
Your results will vary depending on your individual treatment plan, but overall, as long as you comply with the prescribed treatment plan, when you look in the mirror you can expect to see straighter teeth after treatment with Invisalign.
The treatment may also reduce the gaps between your teeth and improve your bite. Regardless of the specific issue being treated, you may find that you enjoy sharing the new appearance of your smile with everyone you meet.
Better Dental Health
As long as you wear your Invisalign clear aligners properly and only remove them when necessary to eat, drink and when to clean your teeth, they will place just the right amount of pressure on each of your teeth for the right amount of time.
Provided you wear your Invisalign clear aligners properly and only remove them when necessary to eat, drink or when cleaning your teeth, every one of your teeth will receive just the right amount of pressure for the right amount of time. The total number of aligners you’ll wear will depend on the nature of your misalignment. Long-term, you'll benefit from better dental health and healthier gums, due to straighter teeth.
No More Crowded or Misaligned Teeth
Misaligned or crowded teeth can impact physical appearance and contribute to poor oral health. Misalignments can be improved with Invisalign. The key to success is in sticking to the custom treatment plan your dentist will develop for you.
Instead of moving each of your teeth all at once, the phases of your treatment focus on a few of your teeth at each time. It's important that you follow the plan prescribed by your dentist closely and that you wear your aligners between 20 and 22 hours each day no matter the issue being treated. After your successful treatment process, your misaligned or crowded teeth should be straightened and you will be able to reveal your straighter smile.
Increased Comfort Level
Since Invisalign clear aligners are crafted from smooth plastic, many patients find them relatively comfortable to wear. This, plus the transparent plastic case, means that the casual observer will be hard-pressed to see them as they straighten your teeth.