Learn About Invisalign in Santa Clara, CA
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is made up of a series of clear thermoplastic aligners that are customized to fit over your teeth. These aligners look similar to whitening trays and each aligner is specifically designed to shift certain teeth throughout the course of your treatment. Once we decide that Invisalign is right for you, we will map out your treatment plan, which we will then send to an Invisalign lab so they can begin designing your aligners.
Besides being discreet, these aligners are also removable. This means that you won’t have to worry about adhering to a strict diet, as you would with traditional braces. You won’t have to worry that certain foods will damage brackets or wire. Just remove your aligners prior to mealtime and you’re all set.
The same goes for your oral care routine. Just remove your aligners prior to brushing and flossing. It’s that simple. Now you won’t have to worry about carefully trying to brush around your traditional braces, where food and bacteria can easily hide. Flossing can also be a challenge with these orthodontic systems, but Invisalign makes it easy to continue caring for your teeth and gums without changing your daily routine. Invisalign fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
How Does Invisalign Help?
Invisalign aligner trays are designed to gently force your teeth to conform to their shape over a specific period of time—usually six to 12 months. Once the first tray does its job, it’s time to wear the next one—this process continues every two weeks or so. After your Alexandria dentist confirms that the treatment is complete, you’ll use the final aligner tray as your retainer every night while sleeping.
Why Do People Prefer Invisalign?
There are a few key reasons why dental patients specifically ask for Invisalign over metal or ceramic braces. Explore whether these reasons apply to your unique case:
- They are working professionals who are required to speak often at business meetings and conferences (the trays can be removed at will)
- They want to be able to enjoy their favorite foods that aren’t easy to eat when wearing permanent braces (like corn on the cob)
- They don’t want to experience the discomfort that is common in the early stages of wearing metal braces
- The treatment period for Invisalign is usually shorter compared to traditional braces
What Is Oral Care Like With Invisalign?
Aligners will need to be properly cleaned, but because they can be removed you won’t have to make any drastic changes to your diet or oral care routine (which you would have to do with braces). You won’t have to worry that certain foods will damage brackets or wire. Just remove your aligners prior to mealtime and you’re all set.
The same goes for your oral care routine. Just remove your aligners prior to brushing and flossing. It’s that simple. Now you won’t have to worry about carefully trying to brush around your traditional braces, where food and bacteria can easily hide. Flossing can also be a challenge with traditional braces, but Invisalign makes it easy to continue caring for your teeth and gums without changing your daily routine. Invisalign fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
How Do I Know If I'm A Candidate For Invisalign?
Most adults and older teens are great candidates for Invisalign. If you have crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, crowding, overbites, underbites, crossbites or an open bite, then Invisalign could be right for you. On average, most adult’s Invisalign treatment takes about one year. For teens who choose Invisalign, their length of treatment may be comparable to that of traditional braces.