What is Invisalign teeth straightening?
Invisalign is the most popular brand of invisible braces. It’s a less invasive, more discreet alternative to traditional metal braces.
It uses a series of clear aligner trays to gradually adjust your teeth into alignment. Since they’re clear, they can be worn all day and remain unnoticed by people around you. Since you can remove Invisalign aligners to eat and brush your teeth, you’ll have fewer restrictions than you would with metal braces.
Invisalign is a popular choice for both teenagers and adults who need teeth straightening. Most people get faster results with less discomfort than with traditional braces, so you can start loving your new smile as soon as possible!
The Invisalign teeth straightening process
Invisalign works by gradually straightening your teeth with a new set of clear aligner trays every two weeks or so.
The process starts with a consultation for Invisalign in our Redding or Red Bluff offices so we can evaluate if Invisalign is right for you. From there, your dentist will take impressions or an intraoral digital scan of your bite and teeth, and send their specifications to Invisalign so they can custom craft aligners for your unique smile.
How long does Invisalign take?
It takes about one year to straighten the teeth for most patients. For the best and fastest results, you’ll need to wear your trays for a minimum of 22 hours each day.
To keep things moving, you’ll graduate to the next set of trays in your series every two weeks. To make the process convenient and minimize the cost of Invisalign, we’ll give you several sets of trays at a time so you won’t need to visit our office for every new set. The number of aligner sets needed varies depending on your specific needs.
How long do teeth stay straight after Invisalign?
Both Invisalign teeth straightening and braces can permanently straighten your teeth as long as you follow your dentist or orthodontist’s instructions.
Your teeth will be very likely to shift throughout the first year after orthodontic treatment unless you wear your retainers as recommended. After about 12 months, you may be able to reduce how much you wear your retainers. However, it’s important to remember that teeth can shift naturally throughout your life, so you may want to keep wearing your retainers at night and may need replacements occasionally for best results.
Invisalign vs braces pros and cons
When it comes to finding the best option for straightening teeth, you may want to weigh the pros and cons of Invisalign vs braces.
Traditional braces use a system of metal brackets, wires, and rubber bands.
PROS:
- Can handle very complex issues that can’t be fixed with invisible braces.
- You won’t need to worry about forgetting to put your trays in.
- No delays or loss of progress from not wearing your trays enough.
CONS:
- Visible and not aesthetically pleasing for many people.
- Metal brackets can be uncomfortable against cheeks and lips.
- Difficult to keep clean.
- Can lead to severe gingivitis in many cases.
- Higher risk for gum disease and damage to teeth from heavy plaque buildup.
Clear aligners are made from thin shells of rigid plastic that fit tight to the teeth, and may include small clear plastic buttons attached directly to the teeth, as well as rubber bands in some cases.
PROS:
- Very discreet and will go unnoticed most of the time.
- Easy to keep clean and won’t make it hard to brush or floss.
- Less risk for gingivitis or damage to the enamel from plaque.
- No limits to what foods you can eat.
- Can be removed for short periods, such as public speaking.
CONS:
- Can make it difficult to speak clearly until you adjust to the trays.
- Invisalign can’t fix every orthodontic issue.
- Although Invisalign is faster than braces in most cases, it can take much longer if you don’t wear your trays for 20-22 hours per day, every day.
How are invisible braces different from regular braces?
Treatment time. Braces are worn 24/7 for an average of about 2 years depending on the patient’s treatment plan. Invisalign trays are only worn for about 22 hours a day over the course of 16-18 months.
Color. Metal braces are highly visible in the mouth while the clear plastic Invisalign trays are minimally visible while the patient is wearing them. Maintenance. The brackets and wires of braces need to be carefully cleaned and rinsed while the Invisalign system can be removed for fast, thorough cleaning.
Follow-Ups. Invisalign trays are replaced every 2-4 weeks with visits every 4-6 weeks to monitor improvement. With regular braces, visits are typically on a monthly basis and the braces are adjusted manually by the dentist.
Both conventional braces and Invisalign braces can effectively straighten teeth, but as you can see, each system has its own pros and cons. We’ll thoroughly discuss your options and realistic expectations during your consultation.
How much does Invisalign cost?
The cost of Invisalign varies depending on the patient’s needs and insurance plan. At Moore & Pascarella, we are here to support you every step of the way and address any concerns you may have about paying for your dental care. We proudly offer all of our patients Care Credit to help with dental treatments, and we discuss all your possible options with you during your appointment so you can move forward with your treatment plan with confidence.
What can invisible braces fix?
Invisalign has been proven to be safe and effective for treating:
- Crowded teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Children who have a mixture of both baby and permanent teeth
- Smiles that are generally straight but could use a slight adjustment
While Invisalign is a great way to straighten your teeth , it may not be the best solution for patients who have:
- Bridgework
- Severe bite issues
- Canines or premolars that need to be rotated
- Teeth that need to be moved vertically
An Invisalign consultation with our team in Redding or Red Bluff is the best way to know for sure which approach is right for you. After reviewing your x-rays, our team will let you know whether you are a good candidate for Invisalign and what other treatment options may be available to you.
How to care for your clear aligners
Properly caring for your Invisalign system can be easily incorporated into your daily dental routine. The cleaning kits that are specifically designed for the Invisalign system are the best option, but trays can also be cleaned by brushing them in cold water with a soft bristle toothbrush and a clear, gentle liquid soap once per day.
Harsher brushes or cleaning agents can break down the material of the trays. It’s also important to rinse your Invisalign trays every time you take them out to prevent saliva or plaque from drying and building up.
Experience the Moore & Pascarella difference
If you’re looking for Invisalign, contact us today to schedule a consultation and get started on your journey to a straighter smile.
We’re an Invisalign Gold+ Tier Preferred Provider: We’ve helped lots of patients achieve straighter smiles using Invisalign and have earned Preferred Provider status with Invisalign for demonstrating a strong track record of success with the system.
