Crooked teeth are more than just an aesthetic problem. They also are difficult to clean between, which can result in plaque build-up and cavities. Straightening your teeth is an excellent strategy for both improving the appearance of your smile, as well as setting yourself up for optimal oral hygiene in the future. If wearing traditional braces in a professional setting isn’t appealing to you, you may be wondering: is Invisalign right for me?
- How Does Invisalign Work?
- Barely There: The Benefits of Clear Braces
- What to Expect
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign straightens teeth by using a series of clear trays to gradually reposition teeth. The trays must be worn for at least twenty hours each day. Each tray is worn for about two weeks before being swapped out for the new one.
When it’s time for the new tray, you’ll need to come in for a short appointment to be fitted with the new one. The trays come conveniently marked, such as “set 3 of 22,” so that you can keep track of your progress on the road to a new smile.
Barely There: The Benefits of Clear Braces
The most obvious benefit of Invisalign is that they’re clear! People often can’t notice that you have them in, especially during video conferencing.
Invisalign is also more comfortable to wear instead of traditional braces. The smooth trays don’t cut the lips, cheek, and tongue like metal brackets can.
With Invisalign, you also won’t need to give up your favorite foods. You simply remove your trays before eating. With traditional braces, crunchy, sticky, and chewy foods are off-limits. So you can say yes to popcorn with your movies, mile-high sandwiches, and even Gail Ambrosius’s caramels while still working towards a straighter smile.
Since Invisalign is removable, maintaining good oral hygiene is as easy as ever. You won’t need to worry about brushing and flossing around brackets.
What to Expect
There are a few things to keep in mind when considering Invisalign. It’s slightly more expensive than traditional braces. It’ll also require biweekly appointments when swapping out the new trays, although these appointments are usually just fifteen minutes long.
Invisalign works great on simpler tooth straightening issues. If, however, you have serious overcrowding, an extreme over- or underbite, or severely rotated teeth, traditional braces might be the better option for you.
Depending on your situation, Invisalign can transform your smile in as little as four months or up to eighteen months.
Cosmetic Dentistry in Madison, Wisconsin
If you’re interested in Invisalign, we’d love to hear from you. We offer a thirty-minute consultation for only $79. At that appointment, your Invisalign cosmetic goals will be discussed. An exam with us is required if you are new to our clinic, as we need to assess all of your prior and needed dental work such as fillings and crowns. Needed treatment must be completed prior to your teeth being moved around with Invisalign.
Call our office today to schedule your consultation. Affiliated Dentists offers cosmetic dentistry in Madison, Wisconsin.
Is Invisalign Right for Me? brought to you by Dr. Mark Gustavson
