Dentists have recommended the use of Invisalign over other alternatives, such as braces for various reasons. For instance, Invisalign is cheaper, durable, and very comfortable. However, going through a successful Invisalign treatment requires the input of a specialized dentist. We invite you to visit the Encino Dentist for your Invisalign treatment and any other dental treatment or checkup.

Invisalign and Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign is an advanced solution to aligning your teeth without the use of wires. These are invisible, durable, and smooth plastic aligners that are custom-made into a set of clear aligners that fit into your teeth. You need to exchange the aligners every 14 days for a fresh set that will straighten the teeth into the right place. 

Like the traditional orthodontics, Invisalign aims to correct orthodontic situations by strengthening and aligning the jaw and the teeth. The invention of Invisalign treatment eliminated the need for using metal braces that are attached to one’s teeth. The Invisalign process requires the use of clear aligners that can be removed. As you progress through the process, the aligners get a tighter fitting, aligning the teeth into the appropriate position to form a perfectly straight smile.

A dentist will recommend an Invisalign treatment if your teeth have gaps between them or they are overcrowded or if you have a crossbite, open bite, underbite or overbite.

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign is used for various reasons.

  1. They offer an invisible appearance

Since Invisalign aligners are clear, they are not immediately visible like metal braces, helping you to maintain a beautiful smile. This is an ideal option for teens, young adults, and adults who intend to live a stress-free life without metal braces attached to their teeth.

  1. Invisalign improve the health of your gums and teeth

Metal braces can allow bacteria and food to get trapped in the wires and brackets. Misaligned and crooked teeth can bring the same problems. The two aspects tend to increase the chances of developing gum disease or other dental health diseases. On the other hand, Invisalign invisible aligners are designed such that they can be removed to allow you to conduct your dental hygiene habits. This will help you to have healthier gums and teeth.

  1. They are comfortable

Invisalign aligners are designed with smooth materials, making them more comfortable than metal braces. They don’t have extrusions or sharp edges, and the aligners are custom made to suit your mouth. Additionally, Invisalign trays are created from composite (plastic) materials, so you will not experience the pain and irritation caused by traditional braces.

  1. Reduce jaw pain

Crooked or misaligned teeth can bring some problems when chewing and biting. This could lead to tooth grinding, jaw pain, and teeth wear. Prolonged and uneven bite patterns lead to jaw pain, muscular problems, and other problems. Although getting metal braces will assist you in fixing most of these issues, they often offer some form of discomfort and pain. Thus, we can use Invisalign to alleviate most of these jaw pain problems and get you a beautiful smile.

  1. Invisalign can lessen tooth decay

The most apparent dental health benefit of utilizing Invisalign might be the fact that Invisalign patients can keep their mouth cleaner than those using traditional braces. Unlike conventional braces, Invisalign trays can be removed for cleaning, eating, and proper dental hygiene. This reduces cavities, mouth sores, decay, bad breath, and gum problems.

  1. Enhance your digestion

If you have misaligned teeth, you will have problems chewing well. Since this might force you not to eat food properly, you will experience poor digestion. However, if your teeth are well aligned, you can chew your food well and get improved digestion.

  1. Easily removable orthodontics

Since traditional metal braces are attached to the teeth, they can only be retrieved by a specialist. Invisalign trays are easily retrieved so that the patient can speak well, eat, practice oral hygiene, and engage in their favorite activities. You are only required to wear the Invisalign trays for almost twenty-two (22) hours in one (1) day.

  1. Enhance your self-confidence

Just like any other person, the last thing you want is thinking of how a smile will affect your confidence. Use Invisalign to achieve a beautiful smile, which can dramatically improve your self-esteem and enhance your social interaction.

  1. You can eat anything you want

Restricting what you eat is one of the worrying parts when it comes to teeth alignment. Most of the foods you love might be off limits, and this might ruin your interaction with your favorite meals. For instance, any food that is too hard to chew or sticky should not be consumed. With Invisalign, you can eat any food since they are removable.

  1. They have a shorter treatment period

On average, adult users will attain their desired outcome from Invisalign within one (1) year. However, the treatment duration might be shorter or longer, depending on your unique prerequisites. Irrespective of the case, our experienced dentist will assist you to attain a healthy and beautiful smile within a short period. Additionally, the Invisalign process is completed within a couple of minutes.

How the Invisalign Procedure Works

Even though Invisalign is great for what it achieves, there are some situations where it might not work effectively. For this reason, it is essential to begin the Invisalign treatment with a consultation at the dental office. Our dentists will examine your teeth to determine if you are an ideal patient for an Invisalign procedure.

Once our dentists determine that you are an ideal patient for the treatment, they will take some records, which include:

  • Pictures of your face and teeth
  • A dental impression of your teeth
  • Two X rays

Once we collect these records, we will send them to a dentist who will perform your Invisalign treatment, with detailed instructions on how the teeth should be moved. The Invisalign dentist will then scan the teeth impressions to get a 3D model of the teeth. Once they get the required model, the technicians will make a series of customized aligners and send them to our office. In most cases, it will take four (4) weeks for the impression to be ready. Then, you will start aligning your teeth.

You will use a set of Invisalign aligners for fourteen (14) days at a time. Every aligner is created such that the teeth are a little straighter than the previous aligner. Typically, the teeth will move 1/10 per aligner. Therefore, whenever you wear an aligner, the teeth in the aligner will tend to be straighter than your teeth. This exerts some pressure on your teeth, and within the fourteen (14) days, your teeth will move to match the aligner.

Things to Consider Before Getting Invisalign Treatment

A majority of people who opt for the Invisalign process tend to have crowded and crooked front teeth. Since there is no adequate space for the teeth to fit, the dentist will create more space.

For instance, the dentist will have the aligners conduct some expansion of the back teeth. This method has numerous benefits; for instance, it creates more space to fix the front teeth crowding, as well as creating a broader smile. The second method brings the front teeth forward. The third method involves the dentist creating more space to fix the teeth crowding by making the teeth slimmer through a process known as interproximal reduction. The process includes filing and sanding between teeth to create more room. This is unnoticeable, and it stays well in the tooth enamel so that you won't experience sensitivity.

On some patients, the dentist will use materials known as attachments on the teeth. Attachments are tiny, teeth-colored, and bumps of plastic materials that are attached to the teeth. They help in offering a gripping or handling point for the Invisalign tray to click and stay in the required position. These attachments can also exert pressure on the teeth in the direction that they are supposed to be aligned. However, not every patient needs to use these attachments.

In some cases, the dentist might ask patients to put on rubber bands with the Invisalign aligner. The rubber bands are used to rotate a specific tooth or assist in fixing a bit if they are put from the upper to the lower Invisalign aligner.

Once the aligners are set, you will need to wear them almost all the time. The most significant benefit of the Invisalign system is that you can remove them to partake in other activities like eating and brushing your teeth. In most cases, you will wear the trays for almost twenty (20) hours every day. Wearing the Invisalign trays for this duration will assist your teeth in moving to the required position.

When you are on the last tray, you will need to go in for retainers. The majority of Invisalign clients opt for clear plastic retainers that resemble Invisalign aligners. Some clients choose to get permanent (fixed) retainers on the interior of the lower part of the front teeth.

Contact an Invisalign Dentist Near Me

If you have misaligned teeth and would like to get a better smile, you need Invisalign treatment to alleviate the problem. Our dentists at Encino Dentist are committed to offering exceptional and expert services. Since we understand the importance of a beautiful smile, we will work with you closely to make sure we know your expectations and needs. Call our Encino dentist today at 818-650-0429!