La PlataDental
La PlataIn recent years, an increasing number of adults have found themselves looking for an orthodontic solution that allows them to achieve a straighter smile without marring their professional image or taking up all of their free time. For both adults and teens, Invisalign in La Plata may be a viable alternative to traditional bracket and wire braces orthodontics. Thanks to continued innovations in the Invisalign process, more alignment issues than ever before can be treated without metal braces. That includes over, under, and crossbite. If you’d like to find out more about Invisalign, contact our team to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation. We’ll examine your smile, and help you make the best decision to achieve your orthodontic goals.
Traditional braces use pressure on brackets attached to the front surfaces of teeth to move them into their ideal alignment. Invisalign relies on a series of clear plastic aligners to move teeth. Each set of clear aligners represents what the smile will look like one step closer to the desired result. Over the course of about ten days of wear, teeth shift into this new position, and patients will exchange the current aligners for the next set in the series. Every six weeks to two months, you’ll visit our team for a short checkup. During these visits, we’ll make sure your smile is correcting itself according to our treatment plan. We can adjust the plan during these visits to ensure your smile correction stays on track. If you ever damage or lose your current set of aligners, replace the previous set and call our team to schedule an appointment.
There are many reasons Invisalign clear braces may be a better option for patients than traditional bracket and wire braces. Some of the reasons patients say they prefer Invisalign orthodontics include:
Your Invisalign orthodontic plan will vary in price based on a number of factors, including the number of aligners needed, length of treatment time, and need for more advanced treatment for issues like over, under, and crossbite. Many patients are under two false assumptions about the cost of Invisalign treatment. The first is that it’s significantly more expensive than traditional braces. This is just not the case. In fact, most patients end up spending about the same amount regardless of whether they use traditional bracket and wire braces or clear aligners. The second incorrect assumption many patients make is that their dental insurance won’t cover Invisalign treatment. Today, the majority of dental insurance providers offer the same coverage for traditional braces and clear aligners. We will be happy to help you explore the costs of your Invisalign plan to ensure the costs of treatment fit into your budget.
Are you considering getting clear aligners instead of metal braces? While Invisalign can provide a unique and discreet process for straightening your smile, it’s normal for you to want to know as much as possible about the treatment. After all, you’ll want to understand what to expect from this worthwhile investment. To make finding your answers more convenient, our team at La Plata Dental has collected several of the most commonly asked questions we get about Invisalign in La Plata. Feel free to contact our staff if you don’t see the information you’re looking for!
Invisalign clear aligners can become damaged or warped if you keep them on during meals. For this reason, you’ll have to remove them before eating or drinking anything (except for unflavored water). Fortunately, since you can take them off whenever, you’ll be able to enjoy all your favorite foods throughout the process! Be sure to moderate how frequently you consume cavity-causing foods, however, such as candy. Try soaking your clear aligners while you eat and brushing them and your teeth before wearing them again to avoid collecting food particles or bacteria.
You might expect to experience mild discomfort with any orthodontic treatment. This is because your teeth will be shifting into a straighter position over time, which can cause soreness, especially when switching to a new set of trays. Unlike traditional braces, though, Invisalign is designed to be smoother and more comfortable for your mouth, as it won’t irritate the soft oral tissue. If you do feel minor discomfort during your treatment, then you can manage it simply by applying a cold compress or taking OTC pain relievers.
Part of what makes Invisalign an attractive option is that it’s virtually unnoticeable. However, without proper care, your clear aligners can gradually become discolored or stained. To avoid this, you’ll need to brush them every time you take them off or put them back on. While you eat, you might also soak them in water with cleaning crystals, which are specifically designed to weaken food particles and debris from your clear aligners. Also, make sure you maintain fresh teeth and gums by brushing twice daily, flossing at least once, and rinsing with mouthwash regularly to provide a clean environment for your Invisalign.
While your clear aligners are durable, they can still become damaged or warped. Whether this is due to biting down on something (like food) or they become cracked while removing them, you should contact our team so we can help repair or replace them. If they’re damaged, make sure to avoid using home remedies like superglue to fix your Invisalign trays. Not only can this worsen your clear aligners, but the substance is also toxic and can harm both your dental and overall health.
It depends. On average, it takes 12-18 months to finish treatment. However, every patient has unique smile circumstances, and several factors affect the amount of time it takes to achieve your desired results, such as the severity of your misalignment and your commitment to the treatment plan. People with mild orthodontic issues can expect to finish up in as soon as six months! If you have a more severe case of dental misalignment, you can expedite the process by visiting your cosmetic dentist in La Plata regularly and diligently following treatment instructions.
Once you’ve completed the last aligners in the series, you’ll visit your dentist to verify the results. They will ensure your teeth are in the desired, straight position before briefing you on what maintenance for your newly aligned smile will look like. Post-treatment will begin with wearing a retainer. These are designed to be much more comfortable to wear than those in the past, and you’ll usually get to choose between wire retainers and clear plastic ones that look similar to Invisalign. Based on your specific needs, your dentist will recommend how often you’ll need to wear your retainer. Usually, you’ll start wearing it full time before gradually decreasing to only wearing it at night.
Designed with transparent plastic, Invisalign clear aligners are visible when outside of the mouth, but incredibly hard to detect once worn. With proper maintenance, patients can keep their aligners clean, clear, and discreet. Unlike traditional braces that require brackets and wires, Invisalign’s predictable clear aligners allow patients to achieve straight teeth without compromising their appearance. In some cases, patients may require attachments, buttons, or elastics that help during the alignment process. These items are not made of clear plastic and sometimes are more visible than the rest of the aligners.
Invisalign in La Plata can be used for almost any patient who has a full set of permanent teeth. This means children as young as 13 years old can take advantage of this treatment. However, there are some important exceptions to keep in mind. For example, severe bite issues often need to be treated with traditional orthodontics instead of clear aligners. Patients who smoke and are unable or unwilling to stop also may not be good candidates for Invisalign. Smoking tobacco not only stains the aligners but also puts one’s oral health at risk. To find out if you are a viable candidate, schedule an initial consultation with your cosmetic dentist.
