If you’ve been toying with the idea of straightening your teeth, there’s no better time than now, especially with Invisalign® clear aligners. Our Ada Invisalign dentists can conduct an oral examination to let you know if you’re a candidate and get you started with your very own aligners a few weeks after the initial consultation.
Here’s what you need to know about Invisalign and why it’s a great choice for teens and adults alike.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign consists of a set of thin clear aligners designed to be worn over the top and bottom teeth. If chosen by a patient, our dentists will provide multiple sets of aligners to be worn for their planned treatment.
Much like how metal braces work, each set of aligners in a complete series applies controlled force to teeth that will gradually straighten your smile and adjust your bite over time. The main difference with Invisalign, however, is the absence of any wires, brackets, or elastics.
Choosing Invisalign Clear Aligners Means:
1. Eating Whatever You Want
You may have heard that with traditional metal braces, there are rules regarding what you can and can’t eat. Generally, foods that are chewy, sticky, or crunchy are best avoided when you have brackets or wires that could become damaged.
With Invisalign, the aligners are removable and there are no breakable metal components. Because of this, you can comfortably eat foods like popcorn, caramel, and corn on the cob without worry. After eating, it’s important to remember that our dentists will want you to clean your teeth and mouth as best as you can to prevent any staining of the aligners once they’re put back on.
2. Easily Keeping Up With Your Oral Hygiene
With no wires or brackets partially blocking your access to teeth, tasks like brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily are much easier to accomplish. Getting in between each tooth to remove left-behind food particles and plaque will also reduce your chances of developing any unwanted cavities.
Along with your teeth, your clear aligners will also need to be cleaned at least twice a day to prevent them from accumulating bacteria or staining. Our dentists recommend you try gently brushing and rinsing them off at the same time you are cleaning your teeth so it’s easy to remember.
Clean your clear aligners by:
- Rinsing them with lukewarm water (never hot or boiling)
- Gently brushing them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste
- Thoroughly rinse them again after brushing is done
- Storing the aligners in a protective case when eating or drinking to keep them safe
3. Moving Your Teeth Into Position (Discreetly)
Are you embarrassed about braces showing in your graduation photos or distracting those listening to your presentation at work? Invisalign clear aligners do not stand out like metal braces do and most people won’t notice them unless they’re viewed up close.
This means you can confidently smile during your entire treatment and never feel like you have to hide your teeth as they’re being straightened. Keep in mind that our dentists want you to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day to ensure you remain on track and make progress as detailed in your treatment plan.
4. You’re In Control of Your Treatment
Many patients enjoy the level of control they have with Invisalign. With clear aligners, all you need to do at the end of a treatment stage is to proceed to the next aligner set in the series.
Our dentists will want you to still come in periodically to monitor the alignment of your teeth. We’ll let you know of an appropriate appointment schedule based on your individual needs. Of course, you can also give our Ada dental office a call anytime you have a treatment-related question.
5. Checkup Appointments Are Faster
Another great thing about choosing Invisalign is that no repairs or adjustments are needed in the same way as with other types of braces. When instructed by our dentists, you’ll simply put in the next set of aligners after a predetermined amount of time and continue with treatment.
We will check to see if you’re wearing your aligners on schedule, however. If you are removing them too much and not keeping them in place as recommended, it can lead to corrections being made which may delay your overall progress.
Ask About Invisalign Today
While our cosmetic dentists in Ada, MI, also offer regular braces to patients, they aren’t the only way to go if you want to achieve straighter teeth. You may find that Invisalign aligners are more your speed and that’s great! Call Norman Family Dentistry today at (616) 676-9177 to request an appointment.