Wish you could straighten teeth without braces? Our Invisalign dentist at Complete Health Dentistry can help you achieve your best smile with clear aligners. Like the name suggests, Invisalign are nearly invisible aligners that move your teeth little by little into optimal alignment.
Continue reading to learn what questions our patients typically ask us before starting Invisalign treatment. If you have a question that isn’t listed below, be sure to call your local Invisalign provider. Contact us today with any additional questions or concerns you may have!
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a system of clear aligner trays that work to shift your teeth over time. They are shaped like the arches of your teeth and fit over the top of them, which might affect your speech as your adjust to wearing them for most of the day.
How does Invisalign work?
Invisalign exerts enough pressure on teeth to move them into their final positions. In other words, Invisalign helps you achieve better teeth alignment. At each appointment, your dentist will check your progress and give you your next set of teeth aligners in the series when you’re ready. Each set of aligners is worn for about 2 weeks, depending on the complexity of your case and how diligent you are wearing your aligners.
How long will I have to wear aligners?
How long you’ll need Invisalign braces will depend on the complexity of your case. During your initial consultation, your cosmetic dentist will be able to explain how long you may need Invisalign. In general, adult patients are done with Invisalign treatment within 12 months.
What are the benefits of Invisalign?
One of the main benefits of Invisalign is that they are subtle enough to go unnoticed by your friends, family, and co-workers. If you are an adult seeking orthodontic treatment, Invisalign is an attractive option because you don’t have to wear metal braces on your teeth.
Invisalign also makes it easier to maintain healthy oral hygiene habits. People with braces often neglect their oral hygiene because it’s difficult to clean around wires and brackets. For example, to floss your teeth around braces, you would have to thread the floss under the wire for each tooth in your smile. With Invisalign, you simply remove your clear aligners and resume your normal oral hygiene routines. Since Invisalign is removable, you are also able to continue eating your favorite foods.
How long do I have to wear aligners each day?
You will need to wear Invisalign 20 to 22 hours every day to get the results you want. The only times the clear aligners should be out of your mouth are when you’re eating food or brushing your teeth.
Does Invisalign hurt?
Since Invisalign exerts pressure on teeth to move, you will feel temporary dental discomfort during the first day or two of wearing new aligners. However, many of our patients feel that the temporary pain is worth having a straighter smile. The pressure you feel on your teeth is a sign that the aligners are working.
Can I use Invisalign if I’ve already had braces?
If you had braces when you were younger but didn’t wear a retainer regularly, it’s possible that your teeth may have shifted over time. However, many adults are unwilling to undergo the process of metal braces, especially if they’ve already done it once. Invisalign is a great way to straighten your teeth once more without having to undergo metal braces again as an adult.
Can I still eat my favorite foods with Invisalign?
You can enjoy an unlimited diet during Invisalign treatment. Invisalign aligners are removable, which means you will simply take them out before eating your favorite foods. Many of our patients appreciate being able to eat foods that would be too sticky or hard-to-chew for braces. Keep in mind that you will need to brush and floss your teeth after eating to avoid staining your clear aligners.
Dr. Nick Ritzema DDS at Complete Health Dentistry is dedicated to helping patients achieve their best smiles through Invisalign treatments and other cosmetic dentistry services. To schedule an appointment with our Grand Rapids Invisalign dentist, call our office at (616) 458-7267.
