Fixing Crooked Teeth Without Metal Braces

Whether they’re hindering your speech, making it difficult to eat, increasing your risk of tooth decay, or simply making you feel self-conscious about smiling, misaligned or crooked teeth are a problem that nobody wants to deal with. 

But not everyone is comfortable with the unwanted attention that traditional metal braces can draw, which can make your efforts to achieve that perfect smile a whole lot more difficult. Fortunately, there’s a solution to this problem: Invisalign. 

These nearly invisible clear aligners have the ability to straighten teeth discreetly so you can get the treatment you need while avoiding the uncomfortable attention you don’t. If that sounds appealing to you, then read on to learn all you need to know about Invisalign treatment.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is the most well-known brand name for clear aligners. Clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment intended to straighten teeth in a discreet manner. Patients receive a set of removable aligners that they will continue to change out as their teeth begin to shift into place.

Who might need Invisalign?

Just because you have alignment issues with your teeth doesn’t mean that Invisalign is the best possible solution for you. However, the following signs may indicate that you’re a good candidate for this treatment:

• Gaps
• Crowding
• Mild overbite
• Mild underbite
• Crooked teeth
• Protruding teeth 

One thing to keep in mind about Invisalign is that it’s often not capable of fixing severe cases of misalignment. In those instances, the best option is often traditional metal braces. Speaking with your dentist can help you determine whether your case is one that can be treated with the help of clear aligner therapy.

The Benefits of Invisalign

There are plenty of reasons why you may want Invisalign or why you may choose it over other orthodontic treatment options. We’ve listed some of those reasons below, along with some useful details about each one:

Invisalign treatment is discreet.

Discretion is a tremendous selling point for Invisalign. Many people are not comfortable with the appearance of traditional metal braces, and they may even forego treatment altogether in order to avoid the unwanted attention that braces may draw. 

With Invisalign, you’re afforded far more discretion than other options, and you can go about your life without anyone else noticing that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

It’s more comfortable.

Another drawback of traditional metal braces is the discomfort that having a mouth full of metal can cause. Irritated gums, difficulty chewing, and general oral aches and pains can turn a lot of people off from this method. 

Invisalign, by comparison, is significantly easier on the mouth, making it a no-brainer for anyone looking to minimize discomfort while straightening their teeth.

Clear aligners are removable.

You should be wearing your clear aligners for somewhere between 20 and 22 hours a day, only removing them for your oral hygiene routine and to eat or drink. The fact that you can remove them at all gives them a big leg up over other orthodontic treatments. 

And if you’re feeling any kind of discomfort, you’re not stuck with it—you can pop your aligners out at any time.

You aren’t limited to certain foods.

With traditional metal braces, you have to avoid eating certain sticky, chewy, or hard foods. That can make your time in braces a lot more difficult to bear. Because you remove your clear aligners to eat, you don’t have to worry about limiting your menu at all.

Oral hygiene is easier.

It can be difficult to properly clean your teeth when you’ve got traditional metal braces. All that extra stuff in your mouth can create some hard-to-reach areas that can harbor food particles, plaque, and tartar, leading to tooth decay or gum disease. Invisalign doesn’t hinder your oral hygiene routine whatsoever.

Receiving Your Clear Aligners

If you and your dentist determine that clear aligners would be a great solution for your alignment issues, then you can expect the following: 

First, you’ll have 3D images taken of your mouth and jaw. Your dentist will use these to assess your alignment issues and create a treatment plan and set of clear aligners that can fix them. 

Once your aligners are finished, you’ll see your dentist or orthodontist again to receive them and go over your home care instructions. 

If you follow the plan properly, you should be wearing your aligners for about 20 to 22 hours every day and swapping them out for the next set every one or two weeks. You’ll also visit your dentist or orthodontist regularly to ensure that everything is going according to plan. 

The whole Invisalign process typically takes about 12 months to complete, but you’ll start seeing results early on, and once it’s done, your smile will be straighter, healthier, and more beautiful than ever before. 

If you’d like to learn more about Invisalign, take a look at these frequently asked questions.

Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Washington, D.C.

When you’re looking to straighten your teeth with Invisalign, MASC Dental Studio can help. Give us a call or request an appointment online today.