It’s never too late to straighten teeth and get the smile you’ve always wanted. We understand that some of our patients are apprehensive about orthodontic treatment, especially in adulthood. However, our Invisalign dentists are able to correct teeth alignment and minor bite issues with clear aligners.
Clear aligners allow you to subtly move teeth without bulky brackets and wires. Continue reading to learn if you’re a candidate for Invisalign braces. Contact our office today if you would like to learn more about Invisalign, our talented dental staff is here to help!
Are you highly motivated and self-disciplined?
You’re never too old to straighten your smile with Invisalign. In fact, we typically recommend Invisalign for patients who can be counted on to wear their aligners between appointments. Teenagers and adults are usually highly motivated to straighten teeth and more likely to comply with instructions from their dentist orthodontists.
For Invisalign to work, you must wear your clear aligners at least 20 to 22 hours a day. This means that you should only take out your clear aligners during meals and teeth brushing. During the first day or so of wearing a new set of aligners, you’ll feel the pressure on your teeth. However, many of our patients feel that the temporary discomfort is worth having straighter teeth.
Are you done growing?
Invisalign isn’t recommended for children or young teens because their jaws are still growing. For younger patients, our dentists may refer them to an orthodontist instead of opting for Invisalign treatment. As frustrating as metal braces may seem for a child or teenager, it’s worthwhile to go with the teeth straightening option that will work best for each individual patient.
Do you struggle with your oral care?
While you absolutely must adhere to a good oral hygiene on Invisalign, it’s much easier to clean and care for your teeth with removable aligner trays than it is with metal braces. Metal braces require extra attention to detail when you brush and floss, as plaque can stain your teeth around the metal brackets. It’s sometimes hard for people to keep up with the oral care routine that braces require.
With Invisalign, on the other hand, you can remove your aligner trays before cleaning your teeth, allowing you to brush and floss normally. As long as you use good oral hygiene techniques, it’s very easy to keep your teeth and aligner trays clean during the Invisalign process.
Would you feel self conscious with metal braces?
Like the name suggests, Invisalign are nearly invisible aligners that move your teeth little by little into a straighter smile. Many of our patients appreciate that Invisalign is subtle enough to go unnoticed by friends, family, and co-workers. While Invisalign can be seen up close, most people won’t be able to tell that you’re wearing aligners.
Do crooked teeth affect your oral health?
Patients with crooked teeth are at higher risk for cavities and gum disease. It can be difficult brushing and flossing teeth that overlap, which is why your dentist may recommend Invisalign braces. Plaque loves to hide in between teeth and along the gum line. Over time, this plaque destroys tooth enamel and gum tissue.
During your consultation, your dentist will be able to show you what your smile could look like after Invisalign treatment. That way, you can make an informed decision for your oral health. Clear aligners affect more than just the appearance of your smile. Invisalign braces also straighten teeth so you can practice better oral hygiene.
Do you have bite issues?
You may not be a candidate for Invisalign clear aligners if you need to correct a severe overbite or underbite. While Invisalign is great for straightening teeth and correcting minor bite issues, they can’t move the jaw into a better position. To prevent issues with your oral health further down the road, your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist.
Our dentists use clear aligners and other cosmetic dentistry options to help you achieve your best smile. To schedule your appointment with one of our Grand Rapids Invisalign dentists, call Complete Health Dentistry at (616) 458-7267.
