What is Invisalign?

If your teeth or bite are misaligned, our orthodontist Dr. Rick Ballard will recommend treatment. At Ballard Orthodontics, we offer a few different services to help you achieve a beautiful, straight smile and correct your bite. Orthodontic treatment can also resolve other issues, such as speech impediments. One of your options is Invisalign.

If you are not familiar with Invisalign, feel free to contact our orthodontist at Ballard Orthodontics. We can schedule a consultation to determine whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign and other orthodontic treatments.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment used to improve the appearance of your smile. It can be used to correct mild to moderate misalignment. If you have an overbite, crossbite, or underbite, Invisalign might be right for you. Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces. Many patients prefer Invisalign aligners because they are clear and practically invisible. They offer additional advantages over regular braces as well.

Invisalign uses clear, plastic aligner trays to straighten your teeth instead of traditional wire braces. The aligners are made of Invisalign’s own type of plastic. They are custom-made to your specifications based on molds of your mouth. The aligners work to gradually shift your teeth into their proper place. They look and fit like retainers, though they serve different purposes. Retainers work to hold your teeth in place, while aligners shape your mouth and jaw by moving your teeth into their proper place.

How Does Invisalign Work?

The plastic aligners put pressure on specific teeth to move them into the correct place. This is how they resolve underbites, overbites, crossbites, and other instances of misalignment. Invisalign aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours each day for best results. You can remove the aligners to eat and to care for your teeth.

To get started with the Invisalign process, you will first need to schedule a consultation with our orthodontist. At the appointment, we will help you decide whether Invisalign is right for your needs. We will examine your teeth, jaw, and misalignment. If Invisalign isn’t a good fit for you, we can suggest another option. If you decide to proceed with Invisalign treatment, we will take impressions of your teeth. The aligners are custom fit to your teeth so they will fit comfortably. When you pick up your first set of aligners, we will ensure they fit properly. You may begin seeing results within a few weeks of beginning treatment, but the full treatment takes six to 12 months on average.

With Invisalign, you will need to come in for regular appointments to check on the position of your teeth. At your appointments, you will also receive your new aligners. Our orthodontist will determine how often you need to come in for checkups throughout the duration of your Invisalign treatment. In most cases, patients will need to come in for checkups every four to six weeks, but our orthodontist will let you know what’s right for your needs. At each follow-up appointment, we will ensure the aligners are still working for your needs as you make progress. If there are any issues, we will resolve them as soon as possible so you can continue working toward your goals of achieving a flawless smile.

Following your Invisalign treatment, you will need to come in for a final consultation. At this consultation, you will receive a retainer. You will then need to wear the retainer to maintain the results of your Invisalign treatment. If you forget to wear your retainer and your teeth become misaligned again, you may require additional orthodontic treatment. We will ensure you understand how to care for your teeth after treatment.

What Are the Advantages of Invisalign?

If you need orthodontic treatment, you have a handful of options to choose from, and our orthodontist can help you decide what best fits your needs and your lifestyle. As mentioned, Invisalign is preferred by many patients due to its advantages over traditional braces. Invisalign treatment typically works faster than traditional braces. Note that everyone’s results are different, so your orthodontic treatment may take more or less time. In most cases, orthodontic treatment with regular metal braces takes 18 to 24 months. On the other hand, the average length of Invisalign treatment is 12 months. This is great news if you are hoping to straighten your teeth by a certain date or event, such as your wedding.

Invisalign aligners are removable, making your life more convenient. Though you need to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, you can remove them for short amounts of time for specific daily tasks. Patients typically remove their aligners while they eat and when they care for their teeth. With braces, you are not allowed to eat certain foods because they can get stuck in between the wires. With Invisalign, you can simply remove the aligners before each meal. Just remember to put them back in when you’re done eating. You can also better care for your teeth with Invisalign. With braces, you have to brush and floss around the wires, which is not an easy task. This can lead to poor dental hygiene simply because you can’t reach all of the plaque on your teeth. With Invisalign, you can remove the aligners, brush, and floss your teeth, and then put the aligners back in.

Another big draw is the comfort of the aligners. Since they are made of smooth plastic, they are much more comfortable than metal braces. This makes them easier to wear and causes less pain throughout the treatment. Finally, the invisibility of Invisalign is beneficial to many patients. This is a good option if you don’t feel comfortable with the appearance of braces. If you want a more discreet look, Invisalign may be right for you.

Are you interested in learning more about Invisalign and how this treatment can benefit you? If so, call us to schedule an appointment at Ballard Orthodontics today. During a consultation, our orthodontist will work with you to find the right procedure for your individual needs. Dr. Rick Ballard looks forward to helping you achieve a perfect smile with the help of Invisalign or another service.