Is Invisalign Right for Me?
Dentistry has come a long way. Over the years, dental treatments have steadily advanced in their ability to restore functionality and aesthetics, and Invisalign in Easton, PA represents modern dentistry at its finest. Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment that uses a clear set of tray aligners.
Invisalign uses a series of aligners made from a special blend of strong, solid plastic, which slowly moves your teeth to the desired position. They are replaced every two weeks as your teeth slowly shift and move to the desired position. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign braces can be taken off and slipped on by the patient. However, all Easton PA, dentists insist that you should wear your aligner trays for at least 22 hours per day. You should only take them out to eat, drink beverages (not water), and brush and floss.
Who Can Use Invisalign?
Since Invisalign is very discreet, they are extremely popular with older teens and adults. What’s more, you can remove them to eat and to clean your teeth, unlike traditional braces. However, not everyone is a suitable candidate for Invisalign. So, how can you determine if Invisalign is right for you? The best cosmetic dentist in Easton, PA, explains below.
What are you trying to fix, and how serious is it? Despite Invisalign’s rising popularity and ability to treat most dental issues, it doesn’t treat everything. If you are suffering from severe dental problems, Invisalign may not be right for you. For instance, if you have an extreme under-bite, overbite, or crooked teeth, Invisalign is simply out of the question. To treat them, advanced orthodontic procedures would be necessary to physically shift the jaw bone. Invisalign braces can be used to treat:
- Mildly crooked teeth
- Gaps in the teeth
- Protruding teeth
- Mild overbite
- Mild under-bite
- Excessive central tooth overlaps
- Imperfectly positioned teeth when the mouth is closed
Does Age Play a Factor?
How old are you? Invisalign uses the plastic aligners to slowly shift the teeth into the desired position, but that only works when the jaw is mature and has stopped growing. Thus, older teens and adults are much more suited for Invisalign braces than children. Additionally, the Invisalign program requires tons of dedication.
Traditional braces require metal wires and brackets. Although they are temporary, they can get uncomfortable when they are adjusted.
As mentioned before, Invisalign braces are removable. Any patient who starts Invisalign will have to stay on top of their treatment plan to achieve the smile they want. The patient is responsible for wearing their Invisalign aligners for at least 22 hours every day for them to be effective. Older teens and adults don’t have a problem sticking to this schedule. Dr. O’Grady, a Denver Highlands dentist, reminds us that patients will have to be okay with sticking to this schedule for 6-24 months. A child would have a very tough time fulfilling these requirements, so we recommend Invisalign for older teens and adults.
After Invisalign
After your Invisalign treatment, your Easton PA dentist likely recommends that you wear a retainer. This is to ensure that your teeth do not shift back to their original position. The amount of time you wear your retainer varies from person to person.
Can you commit to Invisalign aligners? The results are definitely worthwhile. Join thousands of people on a journey to a beautiful new smile. Contact College Hil Dental Group to learn how you can achieve the smile of your dreams.