Invisalign® is an orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth. This advanced clear aligner system will straighten your teeth gradually, without the undesirable look of traditional metal braces. Invisalign® is nearly undetectable, so you can achieve straight teeth without being self conscious in the meantime.
A series of clear aligner trays gradually shift your teeth. Because of the clear aligners, they are nearly invisible.
To help the aligners fit and work better, attachments may be put on your teeth. They are little, tooth-colored tabs affixed to your teeth that anchor the aligners for more efficient correction.
A major reason that people look to straighten their teeth is for aesthetics, to get a beautiful smile. However, there are other reasons to undergo orthodontic treatment for better-aligned teeth. While even, straight teeth make for a great smile, they also make for a more healthy smile.
Misalignment of your jaw can cause jaw pain and headaches. Also crowded or misaligned teeth are harder to clean, putting you more at risk of tooth decay, gum disease and other dental issues. For example, when teeth are not even, forces on them are uneven, so your teeth are likely to wear down faster or even break. Invisalign® can even help prevent gum recession and bone loss.
When you come into Waterloo West Dentistry for a consultation, we will make sure you are a good candidate, and develop a custom treatment plan. The length of your treatment will depend on how misaligned your teeth are, but most cases are corrected in under 18 months. Invisalign® isn't recommended for those with severe crowding or jaw misalignment, but your dentist will be able to confirm if you are able to benefit from Invisalign®. Invisalign® will correct overcrowding, gaps between teeth, and crookedness. It can also fix crossbites, where upper teeth bite inside lower teeth, and overbites, which is the opposite situation, with lower teeth biting over upper teeth.
As part of the planning process, digital scans and impressions of your teeth will be taken. These are used to create your custom aligners, also known as trays, as well as to give a visual of how you will look at the end of treatment. You will be given a series of custom trays to wear, in a set sequence, with each tray to be worn for about two weeks. Each one will gradually move your teeth more into the correct alignment. Attachments may be used to help the process. Aligners need to be worn all the time, unless eating and drinking, for about 22 hours a day.
Get a healthy smile, for better aesthetics and improved function. There are definite advantages to correcting teeth alignment, but how you do it is important, too. An Invisalign® treatment will straighten your teeth as well as metal braces in most cases, and in the same length of time, or less! Checkup appointments are easier with Invisalign®. Invisalign® offers additional advantages over traditional braces:
Care for Invisalign® aligners is easy, but it is important to ensure you maintain excellent dental hygiene. You can take your aligners out whenever eating or drinking anything other than water, which makes it easier for you to eat and helps protect the aligners as well. Smoking or drinking coloured liquids while you wear them could cause the trays to become discoloured.
You can remove them to clean your teeth, making it easier to keep teeth and gums clean and healthy. Take your Invisalign® aligner out twice a day to brush your teeth. Flossing daily, as normal, is also recommended. Aligners can be cleaned with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste, but do not use hot water, as this could warp your aligner. You should also use the Invisalign® Cleaning Crystals or special cleaning tablets as advised by your dentist. When not in use, store your removable aligners in the protective case.
