WHAT ARE CLEAR ALIGNERS OR INVISALIGN?
Clear aligners, such as those by Invisalign, are used to correct misaligned, crowded or spaced teeth. They are clear and so are virtually invisible when compared to the traditional brackets and wires. They are custom made to each patient and slip precisely over your teeth. Gradually they move your teeth into a more favorable and pleasing position by guiding them more and more as you proceed from 1 set of aligners to the next. The number of aligners needed to attain the desired result changes from person to person and so our dentist near you in Lake Worth customizes every patient’s treatment so that the final results mirror their expectations as close as possible.
HOW TO GET STARTED?
Before starting aligner treatment it is important to have a full checkup to make sure there are no cavities or active gum disease. This is of the utmost importance since moving teeth while there are underlying problems will only make these problems worse. For example, teeth that have poor gum and bone support due to active periodontal disease could loosen so much that they could fall out. Hence, it is very important to have regular cleanings and checkups before and during the orthodontic treatment. After your Lake Worth dentist at Prestige Dental Care gives you the “all clear”, your Invisalign case can be started.
First a set of pictures will be taken to analyze your teeth and bite from many different angles. Then your caring dentist will make molds of your teeth by capturing their exact shape using a special putty or digital scan. Once all the information has been gathered, a digital platform will allow your dentist in Lake Worth at PDC to plan your case and virtually move your teeth so that the end result is a beautiful smile. Then, your unique set of trays will be manufactured using a special plastic that is very thin, but has the ability to move your teeth into a more desirable alignment.
After a short 2 weeks, at your first aligner appointment, your dentist will try in the first tray and make sure it is fitting correctly. There may be the need to attach small, tooth colored bumps to your teeth that will be nearly invisible as well. These bumps, called attachments, allow more refined and precise movements. As your Lake Worth dentist will inform you, not all teeth need attachments, but if they are needed it is imperative for you to let us know if they come off at any point during the treatment. Otherwise, the movements could be compromised.
You will likely receive 2-4 sets of aligners at each visit to be worn 22 hours a day for 1 to 2 weeks each, depending on your specific case. If they are not worn as needed, your case will not only be delayed, but could be affected in such a way that it may have to be started over and may need to retake models and plan the case all over again. Therefore, it is imperative that the trays are worn as indicated.
At subsequent appointments, your caring dentist will make sure all the teeth have moved as planned, assess your oral health and give you the next set of Invisalign aligners. It is important that a dentist see you over the whole course of treatment in order to prevent any damage from occurring since sometimes the damage happens under the gums and is not readily visible by you.
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD I GET ALIGNERS?
Invisalign, or clear aligners, can be worn by any age group! Everyone can benefit from properly aligned and beautiful teeth, and so Invisalign is made to fit any and all oral conditions. The sets need to be worn 22 hours a day and so your compliance is very important. Due to this, adults of any age are great candidates since they are more likely to wear the trays as recommended and greatly benefit from the clear feature of the trays. Adolescents are also great candidates since the aligners are clear and thus the worry of having a mouth full of metal can be avoided. If you would like to know more, feel free to ask our dentist near you at Prestige Dental Care about your options.
If you have any questions about clear aligners and how to attain a beautiful smile, don’t hesitate to ask your caring dentist near you, call us today at (561) 965-3933 or click below for a consultation.