Orthodontic care has changed dramatically over the past two decades. For many years, the only option for correcting various dental alignment problems consisted of brackets and wires that made many patients self-conscious and embarrassed about their smiles. There is one clear frontrunner in the dental alignment market right now called Invisalign that can enhance the appearance of your smile. These clear aligner systems are virtually invisible and make teens and adults smile without the embarrassment of wires and bands. Aloe Dental Wellness in Goleta, CA is proud to offer the clear aligner system to patients in need of orthodontic treatment. Read on to learn some fascinating facts about this procedure that you may not have known.
1. Invisalign Is Removable
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign should be removed while you eat, drink, brush and floss. Doing so will prevent them from getting dirty and you can comfortably enjoy all your favorite foods without the risk of breaking dental wires. Remember, you must wear your customized trays for at least 22 hours a day for them to work properly.
2. Clear Aligners Are More Comfortable Than Traditional Braces
Clear aligners are designed to be as comfortable as possible for your individual needs. Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners have no wires or brackets that could slip and cause gum irritation. At the beginning of your treatment, you will be given several sets of aligners, each of which adjusts your teeth closer to their desired final alignment. These aligners are changed every two weeks until your teeth are finally straightened as intended.
3. Invisalign Requires Less Dental Visits
When using traditional braces, it is important to visit your orthodontist regularly so they can adjust your braces accordingly. However, with Invisalign, your tooth movement is digitally mapped out in advance. The Invisalign virtual treatment planning process virtually moves your teeth into the desired position in computer software. After digitally mapping your tooth movement, a series of 3D-printed alignment trays will be created for each part of your tooth movement. As long as you change your trays and switch to the next one as directed your teeth will follow the virtual care plan created before treatment began. Therefore, you do not need to visit your orthodontist as often as you do with braces.
4. Clear Aligners Work Best For Nonsevere Corrections
Improving your tooth alignment is good for your oral health. When your teeth are properly aligned, you are statistically less likely to develop cavities, gum disease, or temporomandibular joint disease than someone with misaligned or chipped teeth. However, Invisalign cannot correct every dental issue. If your condition is more severe, we may recommend a different solution. Clear aligners are most effective for mild and moderate corrections. Some problems that Invisalign can treat are:
- A gap between teeth – Many patients come to us purely for cosmetic purposes. Gaps between teeth are not just a matter of appearance as they put your teeth at risk of decay.
- Overbite/Underbite – These types of dental issues can often be treated with the Invisalign system. Invisalign can help if your two dental arches are not closed properly and are misaligned from left to right.
- Overcrowding – This can be caused by improperly developed jaws, too many teeth, and other problems. Invisalign can sometimes be used to treat insufficient mouth space, depending on the cause.
- Open-closed – This happens when the upper and lower dental arches do not meet when the mouth is closed.
5. Treatment Times For Invisalign Are Shorter Than Ever
Thanks to modern science, the average treatment time for Invisalign has been significantly reduced. While the exact length of each case depends on your unique tooth position and whether you wear your aligners as directed, our dentists can at least give you a fairly accurate estimate during your Invisalign consultation. Once we know how many trays you need to move your teeth, you will know how long the entire treatment will take. The average treatment takes about 12 months. However, short-term accelerated braces options are also available in some cases. This means that if you only need to straighten a few front teeth, you can use clear aligners and have a straighter smile in as little as 3-6 months.
If you are looking for a faster, more efficient, and safe procedure to correct mild to moderate alignment issues you may benefit from Invisalign. At Aloe Dental Wellness, we are happy to provide general, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry services to meet the needs of your entire family. Dr. Cadavid, who speaks Spanish, is excited to provide UCSB students and staff, as well as the surrounding communities, with a brand-new office equipped with the latest technology. Please call us at (805) 454-7727 to schedule an appointment for you, your spouse, and your children.
