People may have good to say about the results they got from wearing traditional metal braces to straighten their teeth. Not many people have good things to say about metal braces while they’re wearing them.
Metal braces can be uncomfortable. The metal brackets (pads) can irritate your lips and tongue. The wires that connect the brackets can irritate the insides of your cheeks.
Metal braces can be embarrassing. Few people enjoy flashing a mouthful of metal every time they smile. It’s awkward in social settings and in work settings.
Metal braces can be inconvenient. There is an entire list of foods to avoid and another list of foods of eat carefully. It can be hard to clean your teeth thoroughly with braces. And, there those dental appointments every four to six weeks for checkups and adjustments… often for two to three years.
Do you have crooked or misaligned teeth? Is the thought of traditional metal braces is a complete turnoff? Invisalign® may be exactly what you’re looking for.
How Invisalign is Different
Invisalign uses a series of clear, customized plastic aligners instead of metal brackets and wires. The smooth plastic aligners won’t irritate your tongue, lips, or the insides of your teeth.
The aligners are almost impossible for someone else to see while you’re wearing them, making them your discreet option for straight teeth. You’ll smile with confidence when you’re wearing Invisalign.
Since you remove the aligners to eat and to clean your teeth, there are no food restrictions. You’ll enjoy the same foods you always have and you’ll able to take excellent care of your teeth. Invisalign can produce results in 12 months or even less, and your dentist appointments won’t involve the uncomfortable tightening of wires or repositioning of brackets. They’re a simple check on your progress.
About every weeks, you switch to the next aligner in your customized series to continue realigning your teeth.
Compared to traditional metal braces, Invisalign offers a host of advantages and none of the disadvantages.
What People Want to Know About Invisalign
Can I really eat whatever I want?
Yes, you can. You wear the aligners for 22 to 24 hours a day for best results. You remove them to eat, including snacks, and to brush and floss.
I have to wear them that much?
Metal braces work 24/7 to straighten your teeth. You can wear your Invisalign aligners less, but it will delay you getting the results you want. When you’re not wearing them, they’re not working for you.
What about when I sleep?
Your customized aligners are designed to slip over your existing teeth and to fit snugly. You needn’t worry about them coming loose, including while you sleep.
Does Invisalign hurt?
The short answer is no. When you switch to the next aligner in your series, you might feel a bit of pressure on your teeth. Most people describe it as a slight discomfort, at worst, that goes away in a day or two.
Can I really get straight teeth in 12 months?
Everyone’s situation is different. Your results will depend on your goals and your willingness to wear the aligners as indicated. Your dentist can tell you how long your Invisalign treatment will last.
What kinds of dental problems can Invisalign handle?
Invisalign is indicated for a wide variety of conditions. These include, but are not limited to: overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite (where teeth don’t meet), gapped teeth, misaligned teeth, and more. Recently, Invisalign has been used successfully with more complicated orthodontic cases that are traditionally handled by metal braces.
Your First Step to Straight Teeth
Call our Royal Oak, MI office today at 248-721-4502 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lawrence Duffield. He’ll meet with you to discuss your goals and discuss your options for achieving them.
If you decide that Invisalign is right for you, he’ll take impressions of your teeth and then lay out a course of treatment for using your customized aligners to move your teeth to achieve your goals. Dr. Duffield will work in close consultation with an orthodontist to ensure that your treatment produces the best possible results.
You don’t have to live with crooked, misaligned, or gapped teeth any longer. You don’t have to put up with the discomfort, awkwardness, and inconvenience of metal braces to get the results you want. Invisalign’s clear plastic aligners are truly a revolution in orthodontics. Find out how Invisalign can help you. Call our office at 248-541-1388to schedule a consultation.