Invisalign Dentist Madison, WI
Dr. Maggie Smith and Dr. Laura Peles both became specialists in Invisalign clear braces to better serve our patients who are interested straightening their teeth. We are pleased to provide this orthodontic treatment to our patients.
“Invisalign has given me my smile back with no embarrassing braces and minimal discomfort. A dream come true! The Invisalign experience has been a pleasant surprise. My teeth have straightened nicely, there has been minimal discomfort and nobody notices the Invisalign devices in my mouth. What more could I ask for?” ~ Alice
Braces vs Invisalign: Which Is Better For My Teeth?
Traditional braces are composed of metal brackets adhered to your teeth with cement and a metal wire that runs through them. Braces are used when teeth are extremely crowded, when a patient has an extreme overbite or underbite and to fix severely rotated teeth. They cost slightly less than Invisalign clear braces, too. However, the metal brackets are uncomfortable, and are often cutting your cheeks and tongue and leaving sore spots throughout your mouth. It is very difficult to keep your teeth clean when you have traditional metal braces, which leads to poor oral hygiene and tooth decay. You also cannot eat many foods once the braces are put on, such as anything sticky, chewy or crunchy, which means you’ll be giving up a lot of different foods during your treatment.
With Invisalign clear braces it is common for other people to not even notice that you are wearing your trays, as they are completely clear. Invisalign can treat many straightening cases out there, and although it may cost a little bit more than traditional braces, we have found patients are much happier with their Invisalign trays.
It’s a given that while you are wearing clear braces, Madison isn’t going to change its food choices, but having Invisalign makes it easy. Invisalign clear braces are removable, meaning you don’t have to give up any foods whatsoever, and keeping the trays clean is simple. Patients take them out to eat, and after each meal, they brush their teeth and trays, promoting excellent oral health during treatment. The Invisalign trays are to be worn no less than 20 hours a day, and are worn while sleeping. Many patients complain of a slight lisp during the first week or two of treatment, which goes away as they grow accustomed to speaking with the trays in place.
Without knowing your cosmetic goals first, it is difficult to suggest metal braces or Invisalign clear braces, which is why an orthodontic Invisalign consultation with us is your first step.
What To Expect At Your First Appointment
Affiliated Dentists offers a 30 minute consultation with either Dr. Smith or Dr. Peles 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.
Once all required dental work has been finished, we will take upper and lower impressions of your arches, x-rays and multiple photos of your teeth, which is sent to Invisalign to be used to create your study models and case presentation. You will be presented with your Invisalign treatment options and be shown computerized before and after results. If you accept treatment, you can begin wearing your customized Invisalign clear braces within weeks.
Do Invisalign Trays Hurt My Mouth?
All braces come with some level of discomfort, whether they are the traditional metal braces or the Invisalign clear trays. Keep in mind that your teeth are constantly being pulled in different directions and shifting around in your mouth the entire time you are in treatment, which is bound to make your mouth sore. However, patients report being much happier with Invisalign clear braces as, even though they still cause soreness while your teeth are shifting, the trays are smooth, meaning patients do not have the added discomfort of metal brackets cutting their lips, cheeks and tongue.
For the most part, as the Invisalign clear braces are worn day and night when you aren’t eating, your teeth do move quickly. Each set of trays is worn for about 2 weeks. You will need biweekly appointments (they are only about 15 minutes each) to change to the next set of trays. Most discomfort reported from patients is only about a day or two after putting in new trays, as they are tighter and forcing your teeth to move again. After a couple days in the new trays, though, the discomfort is pretty much unnoticeable the rest of the time.
How Long Is the Treatment Time?
Each patient’s treatment case varies, as many things must be taken into consideration. Simple cases have been done in less than 4 months, whereas more complicated ones can take up to 12 to 18 months. What’s nice about Invisalign clear braces is that they label their trays based on which set you have out of the total amount needed (“set 3 of 22”). This really helps patients see just where they are at in their treatment, and gives them an added boost of encouragement each time they change out their Invisalign trays for the next ones and their 2 week appointments.
How Do I Take Care of My Invisalign Trays?
It is very important to ensure you clean your Invisalign trays thoroughly, especially right after the clear braces are taken out to eat or drink. Use lukewarm water to rinse them, and a little bit of toothpaste on your toothbrush to scrub them. Always remember to keep your trays in their case once you have taken them out. Not only is this to keep them free of dirt particles and debris where you are at while they are out of your mouth, but we’ve heard stories of dogs and kids chewing on them, or of trays falling in the toilet and even out a car window!
Interested In an Invisalign Orthodontic Consultation?
We have already helped many of our patients achieve the smile of their dreams, and are very proud of the work Dr. Maggie Smith and Dr. Laura Peles have accomplished as two of the few Invisalign dentists Madison has to offer. If you are interested in Invisalign clear braces for your own cosmetic needs, schedule a consultation with us today!