In the past, many people received braces to help align their teeth. While these procedures are still important for the overall look and function of your teeth, there are new alternatives. Clear aligners provide a great alternative to braces. Invisalign, a product first produced in the 1990's, is one of the most popular brands of clear aligner. Our dental professionals at Summit Dental Group can explain the product and procedure in more detail.
The Importance of Invisalign
Invisalign is a type of dental aligner that can be compared to braces. It shares the same importance, but it has several benefits over traditional braces. People use braces and dental aligners for several reasons. You may have too much or too little space in between your teeth, an overbite or overjet, underbite, or jaw misalignment. In these situations, realignment is a must for a normal look and function of your mouth.
Invisalign is preferred by many patients for both the look and function that it provides. It is a clear aligner, so it is hard to tell that you have anything over your teeth. They are removable for eating, brushing, and flossing which makes those activities much easier than if you had braces. They are also more reliable, with sources showing that they work 50% faster than braces and are 75% more predictable in straightening teeth.
How Does Invisalign Work?
To start this process, you would meet with your dentist here at Summit Dental Group. They will examine your teeth and make an impression to create a custom treatment plan for you. This impression is sent to a treatment facility where technicians design the aligner and sequence of aligners based on your dentist's recommendations. After your dentist has approved this, the plan is sent to a production facility. Here, the Invisalign product is made and sent directly to our office. Our dental professionals will explain how this product works, how to use and care for it, and ensure that it has a good fit.
The duration of your treatment plan will depend on your specific condition and your dentist will explain this to you. Typically, treatment plans last between ten months and two years. You will wear these for about 22 hours per day, only taking them off to eat or brush and floss your teeth. In addition, you will receive a new Invisalign aligner every one to two weeks.
Once this treatment is complete, your dentist will make a mold of your teeth to provide you with a retainer. This retainer will need to be worn at night to ensure that your teeth stay in position.
Invisalign Care
You will need to keep the Invisalign clean and in good condition to ensure that it works properly. To clean it, wash it daily with soap and lukewarm water. Do not use toothpaste to clean them and do not wash them in hot water. Doing so can damage the plastic and, though you may not notice the damage, this can affect your treatment. Take Invisalign off to eat and brush your teeth. When not wearing it, make sure you soak it in water or a denture cleaning agent. In addition, you should brush and floss before wearing Invisalign.
Clear Aligners in Fort Wayne
To learn more about clear aligner treatment, contact Summit Dental Group today and schedule your appointment!
