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An Invisalign dentist can help people fix crooked and misaligned teeth. While many people are reluctant to get visible metal braces, Invisalign offers a clear, almost invisible alternative. This system of clear aligners gently moves teeth into alignment to help them achieve their smile goals.
Invisalign is available at Happy Smiles Family Dentistry in Schaumburg and the surrounding area. Patients searching for a discreet method of tooth correction can wear Invisalign without anyone knowing. They are an effective and viable alternative to traditional braces.
How Invisalign Works To Straighten Teeth
Invisalign treatment involves wearing a series of clear aligners that gradually straighten teeth over time. These aligners are removable and do not have any brackets or wires like metal braces do. They consist of a patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack® that fits snugly over teeth. Each aligner in the series encourages a slightly different position than the previous one, making the overall correction a steady yet gentle progression. The aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours per day for treatment to remain on schedule, and patients take the responsibility of wearing the aligners properly and switching to the new tray at the correct time.
Before patients can begin Invisalign, they must schedule a free consultation to discuss the treatment process and evaluate their smile. Dr. Aristodemo will map out a precise, customized digital treatment plan that shows the patient the step-by-step transformation of their smile during this appointment. Once the patient approves the plan, we will take digital scans, X-rays, and photos of their teeth and mouth to create an accurate model. This information goes to the Invisalign laboratory to create custom-fitting trays.
The Creation of Invisalign Trays
The process of receiving Invisalign trays usually takes around four weeks. Once we take impressions or scans of the patient’s teeth, we must send them to the Invisalign factory with notes about how the treatment should progress. Then, the factory will determine the optimal amount of trays and send the specifications back to us.
We will make any necessary modifications and email the factory the changes. Once implemented, the factory will create the trays, and lab technicians will trim each one individually to match the patient’s gumline. Although there is a waiting period before a patient can begin treatment, this process ensures that the treatment process will be effective and comfortable.
Benefits of Invisalign
One of the most significant benefits of Invisalign is its clear, almost invisible appearance. The clear aligners are also easy to remove for eating, so patients can eat and drink without restrictions. Once removed, wearers can easily clean their teeth since no metal wires are in the way. Straighter teeth are easier to clean, improving oral hygiene and health. Crooked teeth can trap debris and bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. When untreated, this can cause many problems, from teeth loss to gum disease.
Adults and teens are usually the best candidates since they have fully or mostly developed bones and teeth. Invisalign works more effectively for patients with less severe crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. People with severely misaligned teeth, bites, or significant gaps may benefit from a different means of correction.
Finding the Right Invisalign Dentist
People interested in Invisalign treatment should conduct thorough research to find the right Invisalign dentist. Finding a skilled and reliable dentist is crucial since the provider will dictate the quality of treatment results. People should research the dentist’s education, training, and certifications to ensure they have the right experience and knowledge.
It is also helpful to look at reviews and before and after photos to see if the results align with their orthodontic goals. During the consultation, people should ask the right questions regarding the treatment process, results, and concerns. The right Invisalign provider will genuinely care for their patient’s oral health. Our team works with each patient to create a personalized treatment plan for their needs and goals.
Talk to an Invisalign Dentist Today
If you want to achieve straighter teeth but don’t want to deal with the bulky metal framework of braces, it’s time to consider Invisalign. Contact Happy Smiles Family Dentistry today to schedule a free Invisalign consultation and learn more about how clear aligners can transform your life in an effective yet discreet way.
Frequently Asked Questions
The choice between braces and Invisalign depends largely on preference and the issue that needs correcting. The success rate of Invisalign depends on patient adherence — they must wear the trays to enjoy the benefits of a straighter smile. The trays should be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours a day for the treatment to be successful or go as desired.
Braces have also produced positive results in many individuals because of their durability and strength. Individuals with complex dental issues such as missing or extra teeth, irregular loss of baby teeth, delayed eruption of teeth, incorrect jaw positioning, or eating and respiratory issues, may require metal braces in order to align their teeth.
For those with complex dental issues or worry about self-discipline in ensuring continued wear of the trays, metal braces may be a better option. With braces, patients can straighten their teeth without the worry of keeping track of the trays or cleaning them frequently.
Invisalign is the world’s most popular and advanced clear aligner system. With over twenty years of innovation on its side, it has delivered smiles to over nine million people and over 2.3 million teens. Each patient receives a set of custom-made aligners. The system includes proprietary virtual modeling software, rapid manufacturing processes, and mass customization, and the aligners consist of a patented material.
To achieve the best results, patients must wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only when necessary. Such instances include eating or drinking anything other than cool water. Patients must also keep regular visits to both the dentist and the orthodontist. Dr. Aristodemo can ensure the mouth is in optimal health, reducing the risk of Invisalign irritating any conditions. The orthodontist can ensure the treatment’s overall success while also switching out the patient’s aligners.
Straightening one’s teeth comes with a certain level of personal responsibility. Invisalign Teen requires attention and care from the patient. Parents should make sure their teen is ready for this level of accountability.
One of the benefits of Invisalign Teen is that it is removable. Many teens enjoy this, as they can easily remove the aligners for eating, drinking, and activities. However, this means that they must also remember to safely store them and remember to put them back for treatment to progress.
Teens must wear their aligners between 20 to 22 hours a day. Each aligner has a blue-to-clear compliance indicator, acting as a gauge for how long each aligner must be worn. The indicator turns clear once it is time for the aligner to be replaced. In the event the teen does lose his or her aligner, we can begin the process of getting replacement aligners.
One of the advantages of choosing Invisalign Teen is fewer appointments. While braces need to be adjusted every few weeks, Invisalign’s progress requires checking every few months. To make an informed decision regarding their child’s readiness for Invisalign Teen, parents must understand their child’s individual needs and level of personal responsibility.
Other dental cosmetic procedures serve purely cosmetic purposes. Cosmetic dentistry continues to empower people to improve their smiles. Some common purely cosmetic procedures include:
- Enamel shaping: A cosmetic dentist can shape the enamel to improve its appearance. People with crooked, overlapping, irregular, or damaged teeth will often get enamel shaping. Patients will commonly combine enamel shaping with other treatments like bonding.
- Teeth whitening: Teeth become stained over time from consuming foods and drinks, smoking, or taking certain medications. People can choose between getting teeth whitening under the supervision of a dental professional or at home using less effective over-the-counter products. Some professional teeth whitening options are tray-based tooth whiteners and in-office bleaching.
- Veneers: When getting dental veneers, a patient will have a small amount of enamel shaved down to improve the tooth’s appearance. A wafer-thin ceramic shell replaces the shaved enamel. A bonding material then attaches the ceramic shell to the tooth and allows normal tooth function.
Patients should carefully research and consider their treatment options. It is also essential to use careful consideration when looking for a qualified cosmetic dentist. Some criteria to consider choosing a cosmetic dentist are how long the dentist has been practicing, how extensive the practice is, what dental technologies they use, and previous patient results.
The initial consultation is important for patients to learn more about the practice and express their needs. This appointment is also an opportunity for the cosmetic dentist to advise which treatment will be the most beneficial and set up realist treatment expectations. The cosmetic dentist will gather information using X-rays and teeth impressions and review the patient’s teeth shape, size, and color. This information will help the cosmetic dentist create a custom treatment plan for the patient.
Only a dentist can reasonably predict the length of the Invisalign treatment time. The severity of the condition, how well the patient adheres to the treatment plan, and age are all factors. On average, it takes less than two years to see results. The treatment time for teens is typically a little shorter than adults.
Following all the recommended guidelines will ensure patients do not extend the treatment time. Patients need to switch trays on schedule and talk to our staff if there are any concerns. If the aligners are not worn for the recommended time, the teeth may start to shift back to their original positions.