Overview of Invisalign

Do you wish your teeth were straighter? Do you want to know more about correcting your teenager’s bite problem? Invisalign treatment may be the right choice. Clear braces are an effective way to straighten mild to moderate tooth alignment issues. In this overview, you’ll learn more about the benefits of Invisalign, the conditions it can treat, and what the treatment process entails.

Benefits of Invisalign

Some may argue that metal braces have been around for generations, so why would you want to try clear braces instead? Consider these benefits of Invisalign:

• Less noticeable: Traditional braces move your teeth into the proper position with conspicuous wires and brackets. Invisalign, on the other hand, accomplish this task using smooth, transparent, BPA-free aligners. Your friends and coworkers probably won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
• Simplified oral care: It’s a pain to brush and floss with traditional braces. Even so, good oral care is vital because brackets and wires give bacteria extra places to hide. These concerns don’t exist with Invisalign. You should still brush and floss diligently, but the ability to remove the aligners allows you to care for your teeth like normal.
• Increased comfort: With traditional braces, metal components routinely irritate the cheeks and tongue, making sores and ulcers commonplace. Not so with Invisalign! The plastic aligners fit comfortably over your teeth and feel smooth to the touch.
• Effective results: Invisalign can fix the most common bite and alignment issues just as effectively as traditional braces. In fact, you may even achieve faster results, depending on the extent of your treatment.

Conditions Invisalign Can Treat

Dental issues vary for each patient. Here are some of the conditions Invisalign can treat and why you may be eager to correct them.

• Gapped teeth: A large jawbone, tissue overgrowth, and tooth loss are all possible reasons for gaps in your smile. Aside from looking less attractive, gapped teeth can lead to gum problems, including periodontal pockets and an increased risk of gum disease.
• Overcrowded teeth: If you have a small jaw, there might not be enough room for all your teeth to sit comfortably in your mouth. When left unaddressed, overcrowding can lead to crooked teeth, wreaking havoc on your bite and the appearance of your smile. Overcrowded teeth are also more difficult to keep clean. If plaque and tartar are allowed to build up, your risk for tooth decay and gum disease increases.
• Overbite: This problem occurs when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth too much. Overbites make chewing difficult and can irritate the gums. This unnatural tooth placement can also wear down the lower teeth and cause painful jaw joint problems.
• Underbite: An underdeveloped upper jaw, overdeveloped lower jaw, or combination of the two can cause the lower front teeth to protrude past the upper teeth. Underbites prevent the front teeth and molars from functioning normally, making chewing difficult. This bite problem also wears down teeth and can damage the jaw joint.
• Open bite: The front teeth don’t make contact in an open bite. This problem may be the result of an abnormal jaw structure or excessive thumb-sucking. Open bites can make chewing difficult or painful, cause speech impairments, and increase the risk of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
• Crossbite: A crooked jaw causes teeth to align strangely, resulting in one or more upper teeth contacting the inside of the lower teeth. Common problems associated with crossbites include worn teeth, gum disease, and bone loss.

Invisalign Treatment Process

If you want to enjoy the benefits of clear braces, and you think your bite issue is eligible, begin Invisalign treatment today! Here’s what to expect, from the initial consultation to the final reveal:

• Meet with your dentist: The first step is to discuss your needs with an Invisalign provider. Dr. Pete Spalitto will assess whether you’re a good candidate and explain the process in full detail. You’ll also discuss costs and insurance coverage, as well as address any questions or concerns you might have.
• Create your customized treatment plan: The West County Dental team takes x-rays, pictures, and impressions of your teeth. Special software uses this information to create a 3D image of your mouth. Dr. Pete Spalitto digitally maps out a customized treatment plan, revealing exactly how long your treatment will take. You can even view a virtual representation of how your teeth will gradually shift each step of the way.
• Start wearing your aligners: Your custom clear braces are fabricated according to your treatment plan. To avoid delaying the results, you must wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day, only removing them to eat, drink anything other than water or to brush and floss your teeth. Your speech may be affected for the first few days, but it’s easy for most people to adjust.
• Trade out your aligners every two weeks: Instead of visiting the office to have wires and bands tightened, you can move your treatment forward at home simply by switching to a new set of aligners every two weeks. You may receive three sets of aligners at a time, allowing you to go six weeks between office visits. Routine checkups with Dr. Pete Spalitto and his team are still important to make sure your treatment is progressing as planned. Depending on the complexity of your case, you could complete treatment in as little as six months.
• Reveal straighter teeth and keep your smile beautiful: When you finish wearing the last set of aligners, it’s time to celebrate! Your teeth are healthy and straight, and you’re more confident than ever. To ensure the results last, you will be wearing a retainer at night for the foreseeable future. Clear retainers similar to Invisalign are available to lock in your beautiful smile forever.

The team at West County Dental is ready to help you smile with renewed confidence! We have helped hundreds of patients achieve the smile of their dreams using Invisalign. To learn more about how Invisalign works and whether clear braces are right for you, please call us at (314) 488-2921 or contact us online. Your path toward straight, beautiful teeth begins with at West County Dental!