Am I a Candidate for Invisalign?

Dental technology is continually evolving and advancing in order to provide patients with the safest and most effective treatments. One fairly new dental treatment that is improving the smiles of countless patients every year is Invisalign. 
 

What is Invisalign and how does it work?

Invisalign is an innovative new approach to dental misalignment that uses clear aligners to apply consistent but gentle force to the teeth and jaw in order to change their position. The process is very simple. Firstly, your provider will use 3D technology to take impressions of your current smile, and these will be used to determine the pattern of your treatment. This will be broken down into stages, with a clear aligner created to represent each one. 
 

Each set of aligners is typically worn for 2 weeks before moving on to the next one in the series. Wearing them in the correct order is essential for treatment to be successful. You also need to make sure that you wear the aligners for at least 22 hours each day, only removing them for cleaning your teeth and earing. 
 

The entire duration of your treatment will depend on the extent of your misalignment issues, but most patients will only need to wear their aligners for around 12 months before their new smile is complete!
 

What issues can Invisalign treat?

Many people are surprised to learn that Invisalign can treat just as many orthodontic issues as conventional braces, making it a viable alternative for the majority of patients who require orthodontic treatment. These include:

• Protruding teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Overlapping teeth
• Generally crooked or twisted teeth
• Mild to moderate bite problems, including overbites, underbites and crossbites

Your Invisalign provider will be able to tell you if your orthodontic issues can be corrected by Invisalign at your consultation appointment.  
 

What are the benefits of choosing Invisalign?

There are many reasons why an increasing number of patients are choosing Invisalign over conventional orthodontic treatment. 

• The aligners are virtually invisible when in place, making the treatment more discreet.
• You take your aligners out when you eat, meaning that you can enjoy all foods – even those that are usually off-limits with braces.
• You can take better care of your teeth since you don’t need to try and brush around brackets and wires. 
• Invisalign is a lot more comfortable since there’s no metal or wires.
• You don’t need to visit your provider as often since you can move on to the next stage of treatment yourself. 

Am I a candidate for Invisalign?

If you are considering orthodontic treatment, you may be wondering if Invisalign is right for you. This popular treatment is suitable for many patients, but those who are considered to be good candidates typically share a few characteristics. These include:

• Mild to moderate orthodontic issues. 
• No outstanding dental issues which may require more advanced treatment methods.
• Generally good oral health with no active gum disease or untreated cavities. 
• Good general health.

A commitment to wearing their aligners exactly as directed. Failing to wear them for the recommended 22 hours per day could mean that your teeth are not moving at the projected rate, and this could mean that you aren’t wearing the right aligners at the correct time, jeopardizing the entire treatment plan. 

Ready to start the new year with a straighter smile? Schedule your Invisalign consultation at Fei Hwang, D.D.S. Milpitas Family and Cosmetic Dentist in Milpitas, California by calling (408) 729-7882 today.