If you are not sure what to ask your dentist about Invisalign® treatment, here are some important points to cover.
Invisalign® treats problems with the alignment of the teeth. Examples of types of malalignment that it may be able to correct include crossbite, crowding, open bite, overbite, and underbite. However, the more severe the malalignment is, the less likely that it can be treated with Invisalign®, which may not exert sufficient force to move the teeth into the desired position. Be sure to ask your dentist, though, because the technology has advanced significantly in the past 20 years. Even if Invisalign® alone is not sufficient to address the problem, it may be part of a broader treatment plan.
According to Invisalign®, the total treatment time averages a year to a year and a half. However, this can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the case and the patient's compliance with the treatment.
Typically, Invisalign® patients have to wear the aligners 20 to 22 hours per day. The aligners are removed for eating and oral hygiene. Your dentist can provide more specific instructions.
Because aligners are removed for eating, there are no restrictions on the foods that patients can eat during treatment. However, it is important that Invisalign® patients brush their teeth and clean the aligners after eating anything, whether it be a snack or a full meal.
The aligners are made of a type of clear, smooth plastic. Invisalign® calls it SmartTrack material and holds a patent on it.
The SmartTrack material from which the aligners are made is free of toxic ingredients such as bisphenol-A. The treatment is safe and effective.
During the course of treatment, the patient receives a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks. With each change of aligners, the teeth may be tender and sore for a few days. This is mild and temporary. Other than that, Invisalign® may cause some minor irritation of the gums, but because the material the aligners are made of is smooth, it should not cut the soft tissues of the mouth or cause any bleeding.
If the aligners interfere with extracurricular activities, such as sports or music, they can be removed as necessary as long as they are replaced when the activity is complete.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Invisalign for Teens in Bakersfield, CA
A dentist can inform you whether you or your child is a candidate for Invisalign® for teens and answer other questions you have about the treatment.
Request an appointment or call Brimhall Dental Group at 661-249-1122 for an appointment in our Bakersfield office.
Invisalign® for teens refers to the clear plastic device worn to straighten teeth as an alternative to metal braces. Many people opt to wear these types of devices when they are in their teenage years, but they can be worn by adults as well. Invisalign has the added benefits of being removable and less noticeable…
If you are a teenager whose dentist recommends Invisalign to straighten your teeth, you may wonder what the product is. Many dentists advise Invisalign® for teens as a discreet and reliable method of treating crooked teeth. However, you may only be familiar with traditional braces. Invisalign is a different way to fix malocclusions or imperfect…
Invisalign® for Teens is a viable option for some dental patients but not all. Your child's dentist will consider certain factors, such as how crooked the child's teeth are. If your teenager is a candidate for Invisalign, you can weigh the pros and cons of aligners and traditional braces to decide which works with your…
Here, we answer frequently asked questions that patients have about CPAP alternatives for sleep apnea.
Dentures can be a great way to replace missing teeth, but they require regular denture…
If you are new to the denture world, you may be curious about denture care…
Whatever treatment option you choose, the end goal is straightening your teeth and improving your…
When you have dentures, you must remember this, proper denture care starts with treating your…
One of the most common questions that dentists receive about denture care from new denture…
