Invisalign®
Invisalign® clear aligners prove that effective orthodontic treatment doesn’t have to be difficult. These ingenious appliances have helped millions straighten their teeth and achieve better-looking smiles, and they can help you too.
Your Invisalign® Dentist in Needville, TX
Invisalign® aligners are an effective and discreet orthodontic treatment option that are worn comfortably over your teeth to continuously adjust alignment and spacing.
Invisalign® aligners are custom-made using models of both your current teeth and the end result you hope to achieve. With Invisalign® aligners, you will switch to new aligners about every week with each set shifting the teeth slightly—this continues until you have achieved your final results.
You remove the Invisalign® aligners for eating, drinking, and cleaning only. At first, they will feel very tight, but they will begin to loosen and feel more comfortable after a few days.
Post-Treatment Care
First 3-6 Months After Invisalign®
After completing orthodontic treatment, wear your retainers day and night for the first 3 months. Remove them only for eating and brushing your teeth. Afterward, wear them only at night to maintain your smile. Consistent nighttime wear is necessary to prevent teeth from shifting. Neglecting to wear the retainers regularly will cause them to lose effectiveness.
Retainers typically last up to two years, but some may wear out sooner, especially if you grind or clench your teeth unknowingly, which is common in over 85% of the population. The first tray used intensively for the initial three months is also prone to stretching. Several uncommon factors, like irregular retainer use, can lead to premature stretching. Regardless of the cause, teeth may shift even if the retainer is used as instructed.
Every 6 Months
Try on a new duplicate retainer every six months. If the new retainers feel noticeably tighter, it means your current set has stretched. To prevent teeth shifting, switch to a new set.
Having only one set of retainers makes it hard to detect teeth shifting until it becomes apparent, by which time it’s too late to prevent changes in your smile. Getting new retainers through a scan or impression will halt further shifting, but it won’t realign your teeth to their previous ideal position.
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How does the Invisalign® process work?
To begin, we will take photographs of your teeth and face, dental impressions of your teeth, and x-rays. Those records are sent to Invisalign with detailed instructions on how we want the final result to appear. Invisalign® will scan the impressions to create a 3D model of the teeth and work with your dentist to get the mold to its exact proportions. Once final, the trays are made and mailed to your dentist’s office. You will wear a set of trays for one week at a time for the length determined by your dentist.
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Invisalign® vs. braces - what's the difference?
There are many differences between Invisalign and braces, we’ve listed some of the largest ones here. Ultimately, the decision is up to you, but the introduction of Invisalign to the market introduced a more efficient, less painful way to straighten teeth.
- Invisalign® uses clear transparent aligners, while braces use wires and brackets. Invisalign aligners can be removed by the user at any time, while braces can only be removed by a professional.
- Invisalign® allows a user to eat whatever they would like and not make changes to their oral care practices, while braces restrict what the user can safely eat and require special maintenance and care.
- Invisalign® aligners do not present any injury risks, while braces can lead to cuts and other injuries.
- Invisalign® aligners are nearly impossible for others to notice, while braces are almost impossible to miss.
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Who can use Invisalign®?
Most teens and adult patients requiring mild to moderate orthodontic corrections can use Invisalign®. This includes patients with teeth that are crooked and misaligned or teeth that feature noticeable spacing problems. Invisalign® can even help patients with minor bite issues—however, not all orthodontic issues can be treated with Invisalign. More extensive problems will require additional treatment.
More Questions?
If you have more questions about Invisalign, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further.
