Do You Qualify For Invisalign?
Dr. Alexander is an Invisalign® provider in Jacksonville, Florida. Invisalign is a practically invisible cosmetic dentistry treatment alternative to traditional metal braces. We help teens and adults straighten their smiles without metal braces. Invisalign is the first clear aligner system and a leader in clear aligners.
This teeth-straightening system uses a series of custom trays to gently move teeth into a straighter position. You can take the aligning trays off anytime you need to brush, eat, drink, or rinse. The Invisalign treatment option is perfect for patients needing mild to moderate orthodontic care and not wanting to deal with painful metal brackets.
What Can Invisalign Do?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment system that corrects misalignment. We mostly offer this procedure to patients over 16 who have minor to moderate crooked teeth problems. To see if you qualify, we will check your teeth and jaw to assess the cause and severity of your misalignment.
We can then decide if this is the best option for improving your smile’s alignment. Instead of using metal braces, patients wear a series of aligners made from clear plastic. Invisalign can treat an array of concerns, including:
- Tooth crowding
- Spaces between teeth
- Narrow tooth arches
- Underbite or overbite
- Cross-bite
Why Choose Invisalign?
Another advantage of choosing Invisalign is the comfort it provides. The aligners are made from a smooth, comfortable plastic material that won’t irritate your cheeks or gums. This means you can wear your aligners all day and night without experiencing any discomfort. In addition, Invisalign aligners are removable, so you can easily take them out to eat, brush, and floss. This makes maintaining good oral hygiene much easier than with traditional braces.
Invisalign also offers more convenience than traditional braces. With Invisalign, you won’t have to visit the dentist as frequently for adjustments. Instead, you will simply switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks, gradually moving your teeth into the desired position. This means fewer trips to the dentist and less time spent in the dental chair.
Furthermore, Invisalign treatment typically takes less time than traditional braces. While the length of treatment will vary depending on the severity of your case, most patients can achieve their desired results in about 12 to 18 months. This means you can have a straighter smile in less time than traditional braces.
Invisalign is also a more hygienic option than traditional braces. With metal braces, food particles can easily get trapped in the brackets and wires, leading to plaque buildup and potential tooth decay. Invisalign aligners can be easily removed for cleaning, allowing you to maintain good oral hygiene throughout the course of your treatment.
In addition to these practical benefits, Invisalign offers aesthetic advantages as well. The clear aligners are much more aesthetically pleasing than traditional braces, allowing you to maintain a natural appearance while straightening your teeth. This can be particularly important for adults who want to improve their smile without drawing attention to their orthodontic treatment.
Choosing Invisalign also means choosing a treatment option backed by years of research and innovation. Invisalign aligners are custom-made using advanced 3D imaging technology, ensuring a precise and effective treatment plan for each patient. This technology allows for more accurate tooth movement and better results than traditional braces.
How Does Invisalign Treatment Work?
The first step is to take an impression of your teeth. Dr. Alexander will use the dental impression to create a 3D rendering of what your mouth will look like with straight teeth. Then, he will send the images to an Invisalign lab. There, they will create a series of custom-made aligners. These aligners consist of an ultra-thin, clear, hard-soft plastic material. They are snug and won’t damage your tooth enamel and gums. They will fit your teeth and jaw perfectly, so they won’t interfere with your daily routine or bite.
Next, the patient will wear the aligners daily for 22 to 23 hours. You should only remove them for special reasons, meals, or when brushing and flossing. About once every two weeks, you will upgrade to a new set, with the total treatment time between a year and 18 months. However, your treatment time can depend on the severity of your crooked teeth issues. Treatment works best if you follow all the instructions in your custom treatment plan.
Caring for Invisalign Aligners
First and foremost, it is crucial to wear your Invisalign aligners for the recommended amount of time each day. Typically, you should wear them for about 20-22 hours a day, only removing them for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. Failure to wear your aligners consistently can prevent them from effectively moving your teeth and prolong the overall treatment time.
When it comes to eating and drinking with Invisalign, it is important to remove your aligners before consuming anything other than water. Eating with your aligners can cause them to become stained and trap food particles, leading to plaque buildup and potential cavities. Additionally, drinking colored beverages such as coffee, tea, or soda with your aligners can cause discoloration or impact the clarity of the aligners.
Proper oral hygiene is also essential when caring for Invisalign aligners. It’s important to brush and floss your teeth after every meal before reinserting your aligners to prevent food particles from getting trapped between your teeth and the aligners. You should also clean your aligners regularly by gently brushing them with a toothbrush and rinsing them with lukewarm water. Avoid using hot water to clean your aligners, which can cause them to warp or lose shape.
In addition to oral hygiene, it is important to store your Invisalign aligners properly when not in use. The aligners should be kept in their designated case whenever they are not worn to prevent them from getting lost or damaged. Avoid leaving your aligners out in the open or in a hot environment, as this can cause them to warp or become discolored.
Invisalign FAQs
Invisalign is one of the most popular ways to straighten crooked teeth. Learn more by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.
Do I need retainers after Invisalign?
You must wear retainers after completing Invisalign treatment to keep your teeth in place. At first, you will need to wear your retainer constantly. Over time, you can begin to wear your retainer only at night. Wearing a retainer prevents orthodontic relapse.
How much is Invisalign?
Invisalign costs can vary from patient to patient. The cost of Invisalign can depend on these factors:
- How many aligners patients require
- The extent of orthodontic problems
- If patients lose or break their aligners
We will give you an estimate of the cost of treatment once we evaluate your smile.
Do Invisalign aligners hurt?
You will feel sore as you get accustomed to each new Invisalign aligner. This is because your teeth must gradually move into a straighter position with pressure from the aligners. However, Invisalign aligners are not as painful as alternatives like metal braces because they do not have wires that can irritate the gum tissue. Invisalign aligners are contoured to the teeth and will not irritate surrounding tissues.
Who is a bad candidate for Invisalign?
We may not recommend Invisalign for patients who clench and grind their teeth because they can damage their aligners. Patients with gum disease, cavities, or other signs of infection will also require treatment before Invisalign. Patients with restorations like bridges and dentures may not be the best candidates for Invisalign.
How many times can you remove your Invisalign aligners each day?
You can leave your Invisalign aligners off your teeth for about two hours daily. Remove your aligners only to eat, drink, brush, floss, and clean your aligners.
Is it okay to not wear Invisalign for a day?
Leaving your aligners off your teeth for more than a day can impact your tooth movement. It is important to wear your Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. If you do not wear your aligners for one or more days in a row, it can take longer to complete your Invisalign treatment.
Your teeth are constantly moving during Invisalign treatment. Wearing the aligners for the correct amount of time each day keeps you on track to completing treatment on time.
Contact Us for a Free Invisalign® Consultation!
Millions of people straighten their teeth with Invisalign every day. Isn’t it time you got the straighter smile you’ve always wanted? Please contact our office today if you have any questions about clear aligners or correcting your misalignment. Addressing your misalignment reduces the risk of several oral health concerns, ranging from tooth decay to TMJ disorders.
Contact our Jacksonville dental office for more information and to schedule your next visit with Dr. Alexander.