Invisalign is a modern approach to moving teeth-it uses a set of clear plastic aligners that can be removed to eat and brush. This
is a luxury for many adults who are very meticulous with their hygiene
and don’t want the hassle of trying to clean around the braces. Each tray is worn for 21 hours per day for a total of 2 weeks, then the next tray is started. Wearing
the aligners will gradually move your teeth into the desired position
based on the exact movements planned out by the orthodontist.
There are some advantages and disadvantages of Invisalign that should be discussed so we are all on the same page!
Advantages of Invisalign:
They
are removable, clear, can be removed for excellent hygiene, NO POKEY
WIRES or BROKEN BRACKETS (which means less trips you have to make), and
they move the teeth at the same rate as braces do.
Disadvantages of Invisalign:
The
fact that they are removable is ALSO a disadvantage-they can be thrown
away/misplaced after they are removed, you may forget to put them back
in, therefore teeth are not moving (which slows treatment down), and
Invisalign is NOT FOR EVERYONE.
Candidates for Invisalign are determined on a case-by-case basis by Dr. Danielle Bauer. Sometimes, a more in-depth case will just be treated better with braces. There
are times where Dr. Danielle has done Invisalign and the results are
not where we wanted them to be and traditional braces have been placed
after Invisalign is completed. This MAY add to the cost of treatment, and also makes treatment longer to get a satisfactory result. This will need to be discussed with Dr. Danielle. If we decide Invisalign is not right for you, we will explain why, and don’t worry-there are other alternatives, such as LINGUAL/HIDDEN BRACES, and also DAMON CLEAR BRACES, which are extremely esthetic alternatives to metal braces!
WHAT TO EXPECT during Invisalign:
1. Teeth are moving, so discomfort is to be expected. Depending on your pain tolerance, you may or may not need to take Ibuprofen or Tylenol.
2. When the aligners are removed to eat and brush, the teeth may feel as though they are loose – this is totally normal. It is due to the tooth movement.
3. If
you have ANY dental work that needs to be done (other than cleanings),
such as fillings, crowns, bridges, etc, this must be done prior to
beginning Invisalign so that the trays fit perfectly.
4. If
any dental work needs to be done during Invisalign, we will speak to
your dentist about when to take care of this, as it may be able to wait
until completion of Invisalign.
5. When you are finished with a tray after wearing it for 2 weeks, always KEEP THE TRAYS!!! Sometimes, we need to backtrack to a previous tray and will need your old ones. We will give you baggies to put them in to keep them safe.
6. When going out to eat, remove your aligners BEFORE entering the restaurant and place them in their case. If not, you run the risk of wrapping them up in a napkin and throwing them away. Trust me, it happens all the time. This slows down treatment because we have to wait a few days for a replacement to come in.
7. When treatment is over, you will wear retainers, just like with regular braces. Please see my blog on retainers to have a better understanding for this.
Please visit the our website for more information on Invisalign. You may also visit the Invisalign website for videos and testimonials.
Thanks for reading!!!
