Are you thinking about getting Invisalign as an adult, but aren’t sure if it’s right for you?
According to recent statistics, about 20 percent of the population does not have an ideal bite. This means that a lot of adults could probably benefit from Invisalign or some other type of dental treatment.
If you’re curious about Invisalign but don’t know what to expect, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to get answers to the top questions about Invisalign.
1. How Does Invisalign Work?
One of the most common questions people have about Invisalign is how it works.
Invisalign technology has advanced significantly over the years, and it’s now a top choice for many patients due to the consistent results that others have received.
When you want to consider Invisalign, the first thing you’ll do is meet with Dr. John L. Lesneski, Dr. Tanner C. Trombley or Dr. Lexie A. Georgoff. During this appointment, HCD will use the Radiation Free iTero Element 2 Scanner to capture a 3D image of your teeth. This scan will allow us to create a treatment plan for you.
The 3D Scan will then be brought to reality and you’ll receive your clear, transparent Invisalign aligners. Because these aligners are molded perfectly to fit over your teeth, it’s hard for people to even know you’re wearing them.
As you wear Invisalign on a regular basis, the aligners will gradually shift the position of your teeth into the desired location. Week by week, your teeth will straighten millimeter by millimeter.
2. What Problems Can Be Addressed With Invisalign?
As you already know, the primary function of Invisalign is to straighten your teeth so you can have a better smile.
Invisalign can also fix the following:
Overbite
Underbite
Crossbite
Openbite
Gaps in teeth
Crowded teeth
As you can see, Invisalign can help with a lot of issues!
3. Who is a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
While Invisalign can significantly improve your smile, it’s important to know that it does have limitations, and not everyone is a good candidate for this form of orthodontics. Certain cases of jaw alignment/crooked teeth may require you to get metal braces or even headgear.
4. How Long Does Invisalign Take to Work?
It is important to remember that each case is different, and the length of treatment will depend on a number of factors including the structure of your teeth, your responsiveness to treatment, and more.
Only after receiving an iTero Digital Scan and consultation at HCD will you get an idea of how long your Invisalign treatment will be.
5. How Often Will I Have Appointments?
This is another situation in which the answer depends on a number of different factors.
Many patients only need to come in every 8 to 10 weeks. However, if your situation is more complex, you may need to come in once a month or every 6 weeks.
6. Do I Keep My Invisalign Aligners in 24/7?
One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign over traditional braces is that you can take them out.
However, for them to work effectively, you should be taking them out as little as possible. Huron Coast Dental recommends that you keep your Invisalign Aligners in for a minimum of 22 hours per day.
You should really only take them out to eat and drink, brush and floss your teeth, and clean your aligners.
7. Will Invisalign Aligners Affect My Speech?
Another common concern among patients is that the Invisalign aligners will cause them to develop a speech impediment.
However, Invisalign generally doesn’t have any effect on your speech. During the first few days of wearing Invisalign, you may experience some increased saliva production in your mouth, as your mouth may mistake the aligners for food.
After this, your mouth should get used to the aligners and you really shouldn’t notice any difference.
8. Are Invisalign Aligners Painful?
Another major benefit of Invisalign aligners over braces is that with Invisalign, your teeth shouldn’t really experience any pain.
With Invisalign, there’s no need to worry about wires jabbing and stabbing into your gums or broken brackets. Nor is there a need to be worried about painful additions such as additional brackets or rubber bands.
9. Will Invisalign Affect What I Can Eat/Drink?
The great thing about Invisalign is that you can eat and drink anything you wish, all you have to do is make sure your aligners are off.
Unlike traditional braces, where you need to give up certain foods, Invisalign doesn’t come with any limitations. Of course, you should still avoid sugary, processed foods as much as possible to keep your teeth healthy.
Questions About Invisalign: Wrap Up
Now that we’ve answered these questions about Invisalign, it’s time to decide if this is the right treatment option for you.
The best thing to do is to schedule an appointment with us to discuss your options.
