When it comes to achieving a straighter smile, traditional braces are no longer your only option. Invisalign®, a teeth straightening treatment that uses a series of clear aligners to incrementally move your teeth into their desired position, is increasingly popular and offers a number of benefits over those metal wires and brackets that many people would rather avoid.
Scott Evans, DDS understands that his patients want options when it comes to improving their smile, which is why he offers both Invisalign and traditional braces at Straight Teeth Orthodontics.
One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign is that no one knows you’re even wearing them. The aligners are clear and sit just below the gumline to blend right in. Even if you get clear braces, the wires and brackets are visible up close.
Invisalign aligners also tend to be a lot more comfortable than braces. The smooth aligners don’t rub against your gums or cheeks like brackets and wires do.
Invisalign aligners are made up of a special heat-activated plastic that gently, but effectively, moves your teeth into position quickly. Dr. Evans develops a treatment plan based on your specific needs, but typically you’ll progress to a new set of aligners every 1-2 weeks.
Most Invisalign wearers can get their new, straighter smile in 12-18 months, while braces tend to take 18-36 months. To get your new smile as quickly as possible, Dr. Evans recommends you wear your aligners 20-22 hours a day.
Good oral hygiene is important, whether you’re using Invisalign or braces to straighten your teeth. But braces can make brushing and flossing a little more challenging, especially if you have food stuck under your wires or in your brackets, which may require a special toothbrush and a flossing system to keep your teeth free from decay.
Invisalign aligners are removable, so you don’t have to worry about food getting stuck in them, and you won’t need any special cleaning tools to prevent cavities from forming. To maintain oral health with Invisalign, Dr. Evans recommends you brush at least twice a day and floss daily.
Of course we recommend you eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, but unlike braces, Invisalign aligners are removable so you can eat whatever you want without having to worry about damaging the aligners or food getting trapped. Just be sure to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth after eating to prevent food from getting trapped under your aligners when you put them back in.
You may think there’s no way something as simple as Invisalign can fix your crooked smile, but Dr. Evans may surprise you. While Invisalign aligners can’t fix every smile flaw, they can straighten out a number of common misalignments, including:
If you’re unhappy with your smile, call Dr. Evans at Straight Teeth Orthodontics. He provides a full range of dental treatments, including Invisalign, and can help you achieve the perfect smile.
