Invisalign - A Clear Aligner That Corrects Crooked Teeth
"Invisalign aligners have become much more popular with my dental patients," stated Dr. Lauren Nguyen of Pinnacle Dental in Houston. "The overall benefits of this method of correcting teeth alignment are very attractive. Patients enjoy being able to remove them to eat and clean. Everybody wants straight teeth as part of a beautiful smile and Invisalign has become a very successful product in recent years."
Is Invisalign Better Than Braces?
Invisalign aligners definitely have some advantages over braces. Most dental patients that chose the Invisalign alternative do so because of the more natural cosmetic appearance. Since the aligners are made of a clear material they can be worn and hardly noticeable by other people. In addition, Invisalign aligners are easy to remove for eating and cleaning.
Braces, however, have their advantages. They have been a proven dental method for straightening teeth for many decades. Braces are also the preferred choice if the dental patient has severely crooked teeth. And braces tend to be cheaper than Invisalign aligners.
Therefore one method is not necessarily better than the other. It depends on the needs of the dental patient and the overall balance of benefits he or she chooses.
How Will Invisalign Treatment Straighten Teeth?
The first step involves the dental patient's dentist who will create a treatment plan. This plan will identify the teeth that will be repositioned and the desired movements. It is a gradual process that uses a clear thermoplastic material called SmartTrack. The Invisalign aligners are designed to place force on specific teeth to move them into another position. The patient's gums are also "re-forming" around each tooth as it moves. Once a certain goal is met a new aligner will be created to further the movement of the teeth. This process will continue until the teeth have been repositioned into their final position. The end goal is a beautiful smile with straight teeth.
What Are The Advantages Of Invisalign?
- Cosmetic appearance - clear aligners have a nearly-invisible look
- Removable - easy to eat; easy to clean; easy to replace with progressive versions
- Treatment time can be less
- Comfortable
- No food restrictions
What Age Is Invisalign For?
Invisalign aligners are used with patients that have adult teeth (full permanent dentition). Most people have lost all of their baby teeth by the age of 12. Also, the dental patient must have enough maturity and discipline to use the aligners as instructed by their dentist. Failure to follow instructions could result in limited or no positive results. However, for children and teens the aligners are imprinted with a discreet blue dot on the outside that parents can see to confirm the aligners are being used.
Do You Sleep With Invisalign?
Yes. The benefits of Invisalign aligners continue while the patient sleeps. Dentists recommend wearing these aligners at least 22 to 23 hours per day. The only time they should be removed is for eating and cleaning. Removing the aligners for any period of time will reduce the progress of the teeth realignment.
Is Invisalign Treatment Painful?
The treatment process with Invisalign aligners involves applying a constant force on the targeted teeth to move them into a new location. Initially, there may be some discomfort for a few days. This feeling of pressure is normal and is an indication that the aligners are working as intended.
Pinnacle Dental is a full-service cosmetic dental office in Houston and primarily serves the Galleria and Uptown areas. Their extensive experience and advanced technology provide high-quality cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Smile Makeovers are a comprehensive effort to improve the dental patient's smile and teeth alignment is fundamental to achieving the final results. An attractive smile radiates self-confidence and health and contributes to the well-being of an individual.
