Your smile communicates a lot. A wide, authentic smile shows that you are confident, happy, and easy to speak to. If you are afraid to smile, though, it can make a poor first impression. On top of that, smiling can actually affect your mood. So, you won’t just look like your withdrawn and sad, but you may actually start to feel more down over time.
A major reason why people don’t smile is that they have crooked teeth. They are self-conscious, which causes them to hide their beautiful smile. While it’s best to smile anyway, it’s understandable that you would like to address the issues with your smile to boost your confidence. Crooked teeth are also an oral health hazard, as they can continue to move and cause problems.
One repair option is metal braces. While they are effective, they are unsightly and sometimes cause patients to be even more self-conscious. If you have less severe corrections and you would like an alternative that corrects your teeth without anyone noticing, consider Invisalign. Invisalign is similar to braces, but without the metal in your mouth.
Below is more information about what Invisalign is, the benefits, the placement process, and why you should consider Invisalign to address your crooked teeth.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign offers outstanding, effective teeth repair without the need for metal braces. Invisalign aligners are made with thermoplastic material and are clear. Each tray made for the patient is custom, and over time these trays are swapped out. The teeth continue to shift until they are perfectly straight. The technology has been researched and perfected over the last 20 years. These days, Invisalign is an extremely effective alternative to traditional braces.
Why Invisalign?
If you have teeth crowding, gaps in your teeth, crooked teeth, or an overbite, Invisalign may be the perfect solution to resolve these issues. Patients with protruding teeth, crossbites, underbites, and buck teeth have also been successfully treated with Invisalign. Over time, the tech has gotten better, and the variety of issues that are able to be addressed by Invisalign has widened. With that said, Invisalign is not an option for correcting issues with your jaw.
There are few things these days that can be handled by traditional braces that can’t be handled by Invisalign.
The Benefits of Invisalign
One of the major advantages that Invisalign has over other forms of braces is the fact that they are invisible. Many people want to get braces, but they are worried about having a bunch of metal in their mouths. Invisalign allows for the same results with a better cosmetic appearance. Invisalign is also much more comfortable than traditional braces. Because they are metal, traditional braces can rub against the inside of the cheeks of a patient. This can be extremely painful and may lead to the need for adjustments. While waiting for the appointment to fix the issue, the patient has to deal with the issue on their own, which can be quite difficult. Invisalign doesn’t have these painful, metal protrusions.
If you participate in sports, a mouthguard with traditional braces can be a nightmare. With Invisalign, you can easily swap out your Invisalign mouthpiece for a sports mouthguard. This allows you to enjoy your favorite sports without dealing with braces or worrying about your teeth sustaining injury.
When you are getting Invisalign, 3D imaging technology is used to show you what the final product will look like. This is a great motivator, and it’s fun to see what your new smile will look like in the future!
The Invisalign Process
The first step of any dental procedure starts with an appointment. Once you’ve scheduled an appointment with Oxboro Dental, a fantastic dentist will take a look and see if you are a good candidate for Invisalign. Once they decide that Invisalign is a good solution, they will take digital images that will be sent to a lab to develop the mapping of the teeth adjustments and corrections. They can then design the trays that will help with the process.
Once you’ve gotten your first Invisalign tray, the process of adjusting your teeth begins. The Invisalign tray will be worn for around 20 to 22 hours a day. Every two weeks you will switch out your tray, and you’ll see your dentist for an evaluation monthly. Over time your teeth will shift until you have the smile of your dreams!
Oral Health Moving Forward
Even with Invisalign on your teeth for 20 to 22 hours a day, you still need to take good care of your oral health. They do not protect you from gum disease and cavities; they are only intended to adjust and shift your teeth. Make sure you continue to brush, floss, and rinse twice a day, every day. Don’t let your oral healthcare routine slip because you are wearing Invisalign most of the day.
Make sure to take proper care of your aligner as well. This means cleaning and brushing it. Don’t let your aligner get dirty, as it will be sitting in your mouth for long periods of time and will help to spread bacteria if it is unclean.
It’s extremely important to swap out your Invisalign tray when required and go to your regularly scheduled appointments. Your dentist needs to check the progression of your teeth adjustments and make any corrections if they notice any issues.
As per usual, you need to visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. This may include x-rays, a visual exam, flossing, scraping plaque off your teeth, and more. Invisalign isn’t an excuse to skip checkups and cleanings.
If you have a gap in your teeth, crooked teeth, or other cosmetic issues with your teeth alignment, reach out to Oxboro Dental and set an appointment for an evaluation. We will determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign. From there, our office can discuss costs, insurance coverage, and more. We will then get you started on your Invisalign journey!