How to Transform Your Smile Discreetly Using Invisalign®

When people visualize straightening their teeth, they generally imagine a mouth full of bulky wires and metal brackets. Most adults and teenagers tend to prefer more discreet orthodontic treatment. This is why our dentist in North Andover, MA, offers Invisalign® as an effective alternative to metal braces.

Invisalign near you is growing in popularity ever since its introduction in the market a couple of decades ago. By now, you must be wondering what Invisalign is and if it works. You may even be curious to know how it works. So, let’s dive into it and explore what the Invisalign treatment is all about!

Invisalign, In a Nutshell

Invisalign aligners are a type of orthodontic treatment that is used to straighten your smile. In other words, it can be used to correct mild to moderate misalignment and bite issues. These invisible aligners are made from non-toxic BPA plastic. They are sleek and discreet.

Clear aligners operate under the same principle as metal braces in that they gently apply pressure on your teeth to move them to the desired position.

Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible and fit snugly to ensure that they get the job done. They are worn at least 20 hours a day.

What Issues Can Invisalign Rectify?

Typically, Invisalign can treat almost anything that metal braces can treat, including:

• Crooked teeth
• Gaps in teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Open bites
• Crossbites
• Overbites
• Underbites

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign braces come in a series of aligners that have been custom made to match your bite. Ideally, you will have to wear each set of aligners each week. After one week, you discard the aligners and use the next one in the series.

Invisalign braces are designed to move your teeth in tiny increments. Every aligner in the series is slightly straighter than your teeth. This aids in putting constant pressure on your teeth so that after one week, your teeth will match the aligner.

As you continue to use the aligners, your teeth will continue to move until they reach the desired positions.

You will need to visit our dentist in Andover, MA, once every 8 to 10 weeks to ensure that your treatment is going as planned. Your treatment will last roughly 12 to 18 months. You might wear between 20 and 50 aligners during your treatment. The duration and the number of aligners that you will wear are dependent on your case.

After this period is over, our dentist will check whether your teeth are where they should be. If not, then additional aligners will be needed.

What Happens at Our Dentist’s Office?

Once our dentist determines that you are a perfect candidate for Invisalign, the following records will be taken:

• Digital 3D X-rays of your teeth
• Photographs of your teeth and face
• A digital scan

Our dentist will then discuss these records with you. These records help us develop a customized treatment plan.

Wearing Your Aligners

When you have been issued with your customized aligners, you will be expected to wear them for at least 22 hours each day. This will help your teeth move to the desired position.

If you fail to wear them for 22 hours a day, your teeth will not move to the anticipated position. This means that your next set of aligners will not fit as they should. When you are multiple trays into the treatment, the fit will be noticeably off. You may have to go back to your previous aligner to move your teeth into the desired position before you continue with your treatment.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Every morning and night, you must remove the clear aligners so that you can brush and floss your teeth. You should brush your aligners with your toothbrush before putting them back in. This is essential because you want to avoid plaque buildup on the aligners.

After eating, you should brush and floss your teeth. Remember to rinse the aligners before slipping them on. If you don’t rinse the aligners, food particles can get trapped inside the aligners. This can lead to other dental issues.

The Bottom Line

Invisalign is an excellent solution for correcting orthodontic issues, such as misaligned teeth. Do not hesitate to call our dentist at Andover Cosmetic Dental Group if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment.