Getting teeth straightened is not only done for kids. Adults too can enjoy perfect smiles by going through orthodontic treatments to straighten their teeth. Better yet, you do not have to wear metal braces that are too conspicuous for your comfort. Instead, you can opt to go through orthodontic treatment using clear braces that cater even to your cosmetic dental needs.
What Is Invisalign?
It is a type of teeth aligner that is used in orthodontics for teeth straightening. It may serve a similar role as traditional metal braces, but it is far different from them. Invisalign® in Pearland, TX, is mostly used by patients who want to keep up with their cosmetic appearances while they undergo treatment.
Invisalign aligners feature a clear tray of aligners. The transparency of the plastic-like material makes these teeth aligners appealing in cosmetic dentistry.
Facts You Should Know About Invisalign
- They are not for everyone – even though you may insist on getting Invisalign for your teeth, a dentist near you may consider them unfit for your treatment. Technically, the clear aligners are perfect for straightening minimal and moderate malpositioning. In that sense, if you have a complex orthodontic problem, your dentist may recommend getting metal braces instead. Eventually, as you go through your treatment and your teeth continue to shift, you can change to Invisalign braces to complete your treatment.
- You have to keep them on for long hours – even though clear aligners are admirable for their removability, there is a restriction to this freedom. You can only remove your clear braces for a short period. Usually, orthodontists recommend wearing your aligners for between 20 and 22 hours every day. The reason is that the aligners only work by exerting controlled pressure on teeth over a long period. Therefore, the pressure needs to be continuous and consistent for the treatment to work as it should.
- You need to visit your dentist every couple of weeks – part of your treatment plan will dictate the period you should be visiting your dentist throughout your treatment. The visits are not just to keep track of the progress of the shifting of your teeth. During the dental visits, your dentist will replace your initial teeth aligners with new ones. It is the only way to adjust Invisalign braces. For every new tray of invisible aligners you get, they will be tighter than the previous ones. It is the only way to ensure that your teeth continue shifting and moving as determined for your treatment.
- You must wear retainers after your treatment – retainers are oral devices used to hold teeth in position after orthodontic treatment. Technically, teeth tend to shift back to their original position with time. To avoid the regression of your treatment retainers are used to hold your teeth in place.
- Oral hygiene is paramount – you need to clean your teeth and your clear aligners every time you eat. Since the aligners are removable, you have no excuse to slack on your oral hygiene. Keeping both your teeth and aligners clean will prevent tooth decay and other dental infections. Further, since clear aligners stain easily, you do not want to undermine the inconspicuousness of the aligners by letting plaque buildup on them.
How Long Does the Treatment Last?
In orthodontics, there is nothing like a quick fix. Most of the treatments thereof take time to be completed, usually lasting between 6 months and a year. The same applied to Invisalign usage for straightening teeth. However, the speed at which you arrive at your desired dental goals depends on:
- The complexity of your malocclusion – if there is a lot to be done in your oral cavity to straighten your teeth, then the treatment will take longer to complete.
- Your discipline in wearing the aligners – Invisalign braces dictate that you wear them for long hours for them to be effective. Therefore, if you are disciplined enough to ensure you clock at least 20 hours of wear time every day, your treatment will be faster than if you do not.
- Individual body mechanism – some patients’ teeth are easier to move and shift than others. It usually depends on how quickly your body can generate new bone tissue to support the movement of your teeth.
Schedule an Appointment
Call us now to schedule an appointment with our expert dentist near you at Pearly Whites of Pearland. We also cater to patients living in Shadow Creek Ranch, Almeada Heights, Morningside Place, Brookside Village, Manvel Road, Briscoe Lane, Fresno, Hanberry Lane, and surrounding areas.
