Do you have crooked teeth? Are your misaligned teeth making eating properly difficult or cleaning your smile difficult? Receive comfortable Invisalign treatment at Wayne Family Dentistry in Wayne, PA.
Invisalign is a cosmetic dental solution for patients with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. With Invisalign, our patients can gradually and discreetly realign their teeth.
Invisalign is also a more comfortable alternative to traditional metal braces. We recommend it for teens and adults who want to create a straighter smile. Realigning crooked or misaligned teeth makes it easier for patients to brush, floss, and eat with an even bite. Our patients benefit from a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Comparing Metal Braces and Invisalign
Metal braces and Invisalign aligners are orthodontic treatments that use different treatment methods. When looking for orthodontic care, you may be comparing these options against one another.
Metal braces:
- Use brackets, wires, and elastic to straighten teeth
- Are not removable
- Require frequent office visits
- Have restrictions against hard, sticky, and crunchy foods
Invisalign aligners:
- Use clear trays to straighten teeth
- Can be removed to eat, drink, brush, and floss
- Will not require frequent office visits
- Do not have any dietary restrictions when removed
On average, Invisalign treatment can take less time than braces treatment. This is often due to the extent of the patient’s dental problems. Metal braces are best for patients with moderate or complex orthodontic needs. Invisalign can help patients with mild to moderate orthodontic problems.
Treatment with Invisalign in Wayne, PA
Before Invisalign treatment, we will take digital X-rays of the teeth and gums and dental impressions. Using detailed X-rays of the teeth, we can map out a customized treatment plan. The dental impressions will ensure that the aligners fit precisely. These impressions also allow us to predict tooth movement through the Invisalign aligners.
We send the impressions to a dental lab, where technicians fabricate the clear Invisalign aligners. Patients wear each pair of aligners for several weeks, then switch out their old pair for a new pair. Each set of aligners is slightly different, shifting the teeth into a straighter position.
Patients can clean their aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and baking soda. Another option is to soak the aligners in a water and distilled white vinegar solution. Keeping the aligners clean and intact helps prevent bacteria buildup on the teeth and gums.
Prevent Orthodontic Relapse
After you complete your Invisalign treatment, we will give you a retainer to keep your teeth straight. This retainer is similar to your Invisalign aligners but holds your teeth in place.
At first, you will wear the retainer constantly, and gradually, you will only wear it at night. Orthodontic relapse occurs when you stop wearing your retainers. After orthodontic treatment, your teeth can shift back, causing gaps, crowding, or crookedness again.
Please contact us if you lose your retainer. We can create a new one to ensure your teeth stay straight. If your teeth have shifted after braces, Invisalign can often straighten them again quickly.
The Sophisticated Technology Used to Create Invisalign Aligners
Invisalign aligners are created using advanced 3D technology and custom treatment plans. First, your dentist takes digital scans or impressions of your teeth. We will use these images to create a 3D model of your mouth.
Specialized software then maps out a step-by-step plan for moving your teeth into the desired position. A machine precisely crafts each aligner using clear, flexible plastic to apply gentle pressure to specific teeth.
At the Invisalign lab, cutting-edge technology manufactures the aligners to ensure accuracy. The result is a series of custom-fit aligners precisely tailored to your teeth. The aligners gradually shift your teeth, providing a nearly invisible and comfortable way to straighten your smile.
Tips for Caring for Your Invisalign Clear Aligners
Taking good care of your Invisalign aligners ensures your treatment is on track and your smile looks great. Here’s how to do it right:
- First, always remove your aligners when eating or drinking anything other than water. Foods and drinks can stain or damage them. After eating, brush your teeth before putting the aligners back in your mouth to avoid trapping food particles. Trapped food can cause cavities or bad breath.
- Clean your aligners daily. Rinse them with lukewarm water. Never use hot water, as it can warp them. Gently brush them with a soft toothbrush and clear, mild soap. Never use toothpaste, as it can scratch the surface. To keep them fresh, you can also soak them in a special cleaning solution or denture tablets.
- Never leave your aligners exposed when they’re not in your mouth. Always store them in their protective case to avoid losing or damaging them. Keep them away from pets, as animals might mistake them for chew toys.
- As your dentist recommends, wear your aligners for 20-22 hours daily to ensure your treatment progresses. Switch to the next set of aligners on time, usually every 1-2 weeks.
Invisalign FAQs in Wayne, PA
Are you interested in learning more about Invisalign? Read on as we answer common questions about this orthodontic treatment below:
Who is a good candidate for Invisalign?
We recommend Invisalign treatment for patients with overcrowded, crooked, and misaligned teeth. Teens and adults benefit from Invisalign because it works on patients with permanent teeth. The best candidates for Invisalign can care for their aligners and wear them for at least 20 hours daily. Invisalign involves cleaning your teeth and aligners separately.
We will not recommend Invisalign for patients with cavities, gum disease, or other dental infections. Before considering Invisalign treatment, we will address these dental problems.
What are the benefits of Invisalign treatment?
Because Invisalign aligners are removable, patients can thoroughly clean their teeth and gums. Patients can also eat hard, chewy, or sticky foods without dietary restrictions.
In addition, patients who choose Invisalign aligners find they are less noticeable and often more comfortable than metal braces. Invisalign aligners are clear and custom-made to fit each patient’s smile. Sometimes, the metal wires that comprise traditional braces can poke and irritate the gums.
How long is Invisalign treatment?
The length of your Invisalign treatment will depend on the misalignment of your teeth and how you care for your aligners. Patients who clean and wear aligners for 22 hours daily are likelier to complete treatment promptly.
Do I need to wear Invisalign aligners while I sleep?
Yes. You must wear your aligners for at least 20 hours a day, and you will wear them during sleep. We don’t recommend Invisalign for teeth grinders. You must wear the aligners constantly, and grinding can damage them.
Is Invisalign treatment painful?
No, Invisalign treatment is no more painful than treatment with metal braces. As patients adjust to each new pair of aligners, they may feel soreness in their teeth for a day. However, this quickly fades. On the other hand, the wires of metal braces can sometimes scratch the gums and soft tissues of the mouth.
What can’t you do when wearing Invisalign aligners?
When you wear your Invisalign aligners, you need to avoid:
- Eating food
- Drinking hot drinks
- Chewing gum
- Brushing your aligners
- Smoking or vaping
Drinking anything other than cool or room-temperature water can warp and damage the Invisalign aligners. Eating or smoking with Invisalign can also damage and stain your aligners.
Request a Dental Consultation
Do you want to learn more about Invisalign? Contact Wayne Family Dentistry in Wayne, PA, for orthodontic treatment with Invisalign today at 610-347-5133. You can also schedule a dental appointment with our dentists on our website.
Please let our team know if you have questions about Invisalign or concerns about orthodontic treatment. They will always be glad to assist you.