If you need or want to straighten your teeth, braces can get the job done. But you can do it more discretely with Invisalign. Find out if it’s an option for you and what the Invisalign treatment process involves.
Will the Invisalign Treatment Process Work for You?
Invisalign effectively straightens teeth for many patients, with several advantages compared to braces. Obviously, the prime advantage of Invisalign is its near invisibility! But how can you determine whether Invisalign will work for you?
Your dentist or an orthodontist will best be able to assess your case, and whether Invisalign will work for you. This is when having a dentist like MyOrthodontist especially pays off. With dentists and orthodontists under one roof, you don’t have to find and meet a new orthodontist just to help determine whether Invisalign or braces will work for you!
Now if you want to do a little self-assessment first, you can use the Smile Assessment. But you will still want to consult with your dentist or orthodontist. Ask him or her:
- Do you have specific Invisalign training?
- Do you recommend Invisalign for my case?
- How long do you anticipate the treatment to take?
- What will be the cost and will my insurance help cover it?
At MyOrthodontist, our staff will gladly answer all your questions about how Invisalign works and what you should expect. Or if braces would serve you better, we’ll let you know and explain why.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
As you might expect, the length of time your Invisalign treatment process takes depends on the severity of your issues. But generally, treatment for adults may take around one year, while treatment for teens may take 18-24 months, on average.
Once your doctor determines that you are a good candidate for Invisalign, he or she will get the process started.
1. Customizing a treatment plan
After taking pictures, X-rays, and impressions of your teeth, your doctor will create a 3-D image of them that will help determine a treatment plan, including the exact movements your teeth need to make, along with the approximate amount of time this will take. You will likely see a virtual representation of how your teeth will move throughout the treatment, too.
2. Customizing your aligners
Next, your doctor will make a customized series of aligner trays from virtually invisible, comfortable and BPA-free plastic through which you will progress (or change out) about every 2 weeks.
3. Wearing and maintaining your aligners
You will need to wear your aligner trays for 20 to 22 hours daily, throughout your treatment. You’ll want to remove them while eating, brushing or flossing and you may need to clean them occasionally. You will also visit your doctor about every 6 weeks to make sure you’re teeth are moving as planned.
4. Completing your treatment
As with braces, you may need to wear retainers after your Invisalign treatment, in order to keep your teeth in their new position. Your doctor will help determine whether you need them or not.
Contact the Invisalign Professionals in North Carolina
Whether you need to straighten your teeth for health matters, or simply want to for aesthetics, we understand the importance of a good smile. For all our dental or orthodontic work, we aim to make treatments as pain-free and pleasant as possible, from the paperwork through your follow-up. That’s why you can rely on MyOrthodontist to simplify your Invisalign treatment process and make your smile brighter than ever before!
