Wishing for straighter teeth but aren’t sure where to start? If so, Invisalign may be the solution that you’ve been looking for. These clear aligner trays gradually straighten your teeth without the need for the metal brackets and wires that come with braces. They’re the perfect solution for people with mild to moderate orthodontic problems.
Invisalign is a series of customer-fit plastic trays that gradually straighten your teeth. They work by applying pressure to just the right places, straightening teeth more comfortably than braces. Good candidates will have mild to moderate alignment problems, but we can still provide braces for those with more serious issues.
They provide many benefits that metal braces don’t, such as allowing for easier oral care and drawing less unwanted attention. These clear aligners are still a commitment but they’re much less demanding than braces and provide you with the same perfect smile.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that provides you with straighter teeth. Also called “invisible braces” or “clear aligners,” they give you the smile that you deserve without the need for attention-grabbing metal braces.
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How Does It Work?
Your journey begins with a consultation to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign or not. This consultation includes:
- Getting X-rays
- Making impressions of your teeth
- Digitally creating a 3-D map of your mouth
- Digital photography
Once we’ve determined that you’re a good candidate, we then create a series of trays custom-fitted to your mouth. Think of them as special mouthguards designed to realign your teeth to their correct position. You will receive a new set of Invisalign trays every 1 to 2 weeks until your teeth have been completely realigned
Invisalign trays work by putting pressure on certain spots to gradually move your teeth. These custom-fit trays usually include special SmartForce attachments that aid this process. They’re located at important pressure points and are removed once treatment has been completed. In the meantime, they’ll be transforming your smile into one that you’ll be excited to show off.
Invisalign vs. Braces
Invisalign is a simple orthodontic solution made up of a series of aligner trays with composite buttons. Braces, on the other hand, are a lot more complex. They include:
- Brackets
- Spacers
- Archwires
- Ties
- A buccal tube
All of these parts work together to correct misalignments in your teeth. For instance, brackets are the small squares that are attached to the fronts of your teeth. Spacers are placed between your teeth in order to create space for the orthodontic bands.
Archwires are attached to the brackets and guide your teeth into realignment. They’re kept in place by ties which can be wires or rubber rings. Buccal tubes placed behind your back teeth also help keep the archwires in place.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
Regrettably, not every patient who’s interested in Invisalign will qualify for treatment. This is usually due to having more severe orthodontic issues which can only be solved with traditional braces. On the other hand, invisible braces are the perfect solution for mild or moderate orthodontic problems such as spacing and crowding. 
This also includes bite problems, or malocclusions, such as:
- Overbite: when your top front teeth stick out farther than your bottom teeth
- Underbite: when your lower teeth stick out farther than your upper teeth
- Open bite: when your upper and lower teeth don’t touch due to slanting forward
- Crossbite: when your upper teeth sit behind your lower teeth
Evaluating patients for Invisalign helps ensure that they get the treatment they need for a beautiful smile. Because not everyone will qualify, Dr. Wes Mullins and Dr. Austin Owen are able to provide metal braces if they’re the better solution.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
The length of your treatment will depend on your particular needs. With that said, most patients start to see improvement between 6 and 18 months of using Invisalign. For many patients, Invisalign provides a faster, more appealing option.
You’ll need to wear your clear aligners for at least 22 hours per day for the fastest results. This allows you a couple of hours to brush, floss, and eat. By wearing them for the large majority of your day, you’re helping to ensure that they work more quickly and effectively.
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The Benefits of Invisalign
You have a few different options for straighter teeth including braces, but they’re much more invasive than Invisalign. With clear aligners, you can have straighter teeth without the need for metal brackets or drilling.
Reduced Discomfort
One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign is that it’s less painful than other options. With braces, you’ll need regular retightening for them to be effective. With clear aligner trays, you get the same results without having to go to your orthodontist to have them tightened again. All you have to do is come back to our office periodically for your new trays.
Many people opt to go without orthodontic treatment due to fear of pain. Fortunately, Invisalign provides you with the same results as braces with much less discomfort. Keep in mind that there will be an adjustment period at the beginning that comes with some discomfort. However, it’s much less than with other orthodontic options.
They’re Discreet
Another major benefit is that they’re practically invisible. Adults and teens who would benefit from orthodontic treatment may go without because of the unwanted attention from braces. Invisalign trays are clear, which means you can get straighter teeth with no one being the wiser.
They Make It Easier To Clean Your Teeth
Wearing braces can make brushing and flossing a major hassle. To brush effectively, you’ll need to remove any of the elastics or bands before you brush and put them back when you’re done. When brushing, you will have to pay extra special attention to the pins and wires that surround your teeth.
Flossing can also be complicated. Cleaning between your teeth is essential for maintaining gum and overall oral health by removing plaque from your gumline and between your teeth. Unfortunately, flossing with braces requires you to thread floss under the wires or use special threaders to make it easier.
Brushing and flossing are much easier with Invisalign. All you have to do is remove your aligners, brush and floss like normal, and put your aligners back in. With Invisalign, you can maintain your regular oral care routine.
The Cost of Invisalign
Invisalign is often covered by insurance providers. Talk to your insurer before you decide to get Invisalign to learn if you will be covered.
How Do I Know I’m Ready for Invisalign?
If you suffer from mild to moderate misalignment then now is the right time for Invisalign. These types of bite issues are ideal for treatment with clear aligners, allowing you to straighten them without the need for metal brackets, and wires. They’re also perfect if you have crowded teeth, which can occur due to genetics, poor oral hygiene, and malnutrition.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that Invisalign isn’t simply a set-it-and-forget-it solution for misaligned teeth. While braces are certainly a commitment, Invisalign is no less of a responsibility. After all, they require time and money in order to get the best results, and you don’t want to waste either.
That’s why it’s important to know that Invisalign will require you to think a bit more about your daily schedule. After all, you’ll need to wear your aligner trays for 22 of the 24 hours in the day. This leaves only two hours that you can take them out if necessary, so it’s crucial that you think about when that will be.
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A couple of hours may not seem like that big of a deal, but consider that you’ll need to take them off at least twice to brush and floss your teeth. Furthermore, you shouldn’t eat or drink while wearing your Invisalign trays, so you’ll have to take them out periodically for that.
The Invisalign brand also recommends brushing your teeth after eating and drinking. This means that you’ll need to brush more than usual, which should be taken into account when considering this form of treatment.
But you shouldn’t let these changes to your schedule discourage you from choosing aligner trays. All that it means is that you’ll need to do a bit more planning as you go about your day. The tradeoff is getting the smile you’ve always wanted. Talk to Dr. Wes Mullins or Dr. Austin Owen about how you can get the most out of Invisalign!
Are you ready to get the smile that you deserve? Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
Invisalign is a series of plastic trays custom-fit for your teeth. They apply pressure to key areas, allowing them to straighten your teeth more comfortably than metal braces. You’ll need to qualify for these aligners, and ideal candidates have only mild to moderate alignment problems. Our team can still provide braces if you have more severe alignment issues.
Invisalign can provide you with straighter teeth in less time than traditional braces. They also allow you to straighten your teeth discreetly as well as make brushing and flossing much easier. It can take some time to adjust to life with Invisalign, but they help you get the smile you deserve without the hassles of wearing braces.
My Family Dentistry is open Monday through Thursday and every other Friday. Give us a call at (865) 947-6453 or you can schedule an appointment online.