Sciota, Pennsylvania
Millions of people in the U.S., currently undergo orthodontic treatment. Straightening crooked teeth improves your confidence, makes you more willing to smile and helps protect you against threats to your oral health later in life. In decades past, orthodontic treatment meant getting braces but today there are new methods of treatment available such as clear aligner therapy through Invisalign. This represents an alternative to braces that often works more quickly and is more convenient because the aligners are transparent and removable. Today on the blog, you won’t want to miss this total guide to the Invisalign treatment system.
Invisalign employs clear aligner therapy to straighten teeth
Clear aligner therapy entails wearing custom-made, removable aligners that are designed to fit snugly over your teeth. When worn, these aligners exert gentle pressure on your teeth to guide them into their ideal, straight alignment. You receive a new set of aligners every few weeks as your teeth move and shift in your mouth. For maximum effectiveness, you should wear your aligners for about 22 hours each day, only removing them when you eat and drink, or you brush and floss your teeth.
Adjusting to the aligners may take time
Invisalign is very discreet. You can wear your aligners and, generally, people never will notice them on your teeth. However, when you begin treatment, you may speak with a slight lisp at first as your mouth adjusts to wearing the aligners. Also, when you first begin Invisalign treatment or receive a new set of aligners, you may experience a brief period of discomfort.
Not everyone is well-suited for Invisalign
Aligner therapy is meant for teens and adults with minor tooth crookedness and/or moderate tooth misalignment. Crowded teeth, overbites, underbites and gapped teeth all can be corrected. If you’re unsure about whether or not Invisalign is right for you, this is why the dentists at Quiet Valley Dental insist on a consultation before any procedure begins.
Certain conditions may preclude you from receiving Invisalign
You should continue brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily, but you also need to keep your aligners clean. This is the main reason why we ask patients to remove their aligners before eating, so that they remain free of bacteria. Before replacing the aligners, you should brush your teeth so that they re-enter a clean mouth.
How to care for your aligners
Your aligners are transparent, but they won’t necessarily stay that way. If you frequently drink coffee, tea, or red wine – all highly acidic – this can stain your aligners and therefore make your teeth seem discolored. Stains also can form from foods or drinks with a high sugar content, such as soft drinks. This is why we recommend that you remove the aligners before you eat and drink.
When cleaning your aligners, never use toothpaste, mouthwash, soap or hot water. Any of them can damage the aligners, leave scratches or make them turn a yellowish color. You should also avoid exposing your aligners to heat, whether that means leaving them in a hot car, exposed to the sun or near a heater or stove.
Your Invisalign provider in Sciota
You can only receive Invisalign from a certified Invisalign provider in your area. Quiet Valley Dental is proud to offer this method of treatment. To learn more about Invisalign, schedule a consultation today by calling (570) 992-7040 or filling out our online appointment request form.
