As the alignment treatment of choice for 14 million people and counting, Invisalign has completely revolutionized orthodontic care for teens and adults. Offering a more discreet way to align teeth and correct bite issues, Invisalign can improve the appearance and function of your teeth and jaw in about the same amount of time as traditional braces. The average treatment time with Invisalign is approximately one year. However, patients with minor alignment issues may complete treatment in as little as six months. More significant alignment and bite issues may take up to two years to correct.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Traditional braces use wire threaded through brackets to pull teeth into proper alignment. Invisalign treatment guides teeth into alignment using a series of trays that you’ll wear for two weeks at a time.
Each alignment tray is slightly more aligned than the current position of the teeth. As you wear the trays for at least 20 hours each day, the teeth shift to fit in the trays.
When patients initially begin wearing the trays, and when switching to the next series of trays, a degree of pressure will be felt. This is the result of the teeth shifting in the jaw to fit the alignment tray. However, this pressure is typically short-lived.
Patients are often excited to find that in just a few weeks, results become noticeable. Gaps begin to close and crooked teeth appear a little straighter. These incremental changes continue throughout your treatment. By the end of your treatment, your teeth will be aligned, and your bite issue will be improved.
Is Invisalign Safe?
Invisalign is safe and has been approved by the FDA for many years. The plastic used to make the alignment trays are free of BPA and have been repeatedly tested to confirm biocompatibility. The plastic trays are also free of latex, parabens, epoxy, phthalates, and glutaraldehyde.
Invisalign may be safer than traditional braces as the treatment does not involve wires that can snap or abrasive metal that can scrape and irritate the delicate tissues inside the mouth. Moreover, because Invisalign trays are removable, the aligners may be removed and replaced with a custom mouth guard to protect the teeth while playing sports.
Finally, Invisalign is safe from an oral health perspective. Invisalign allows patients to take excellent care of their teeth without special brushes or flossing techniques to get underneath and between wires.
Patients can brush the entire surface of the teeth and thoroughly and easily floss between all teeth. This may help promote better oral health, as food particles that build up and cause decay can be easily removed. Likewise, food particles do not become attached to brackets, leading to decay or spots on the teeth, which can happen with traditional braces.
Book an Invisalign Consultation in Kensington, MD
At Kensington Natural Smiles, Dr. Susan Ho provides Invisalign treatment to teens and adults with mild to moderate alignment and bite conditions. Dr. Ho is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, a prestigious designation earned by only 7% of dentists worldwide. Dr. Ho provides complete dental care for patients of all ages. To book a no-obligation consultation for Invisalign, call 301-933-3903, or send us a message to request an appointment.