Invisalign has grown to become a major orthodontic treatment option for adults. In fact, the clear aligner market is projected to grow 30% each year over the next decade.
Have you lived with embarrassing gaps in your smile? Invisalign for adults is an effective and comfortable treatment alternative to metal braces. Many of our adult patients are undergoing treatment right now.
Read our guide to Invisalign to learn how the process works and whether you are a good candidate for this teeth-straitening solution.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign was the first clear aligner product to hit the U.S. market. Clear aligner technology straightens teeth.
Metal braces use brackets and wires to pull teeth into better alignment. Clear aligners work differently. The nearly invisible material completely covers the surface of teeth.
Over time, the clear trays nudge teeth into better alignment using micromovements. When properly worn, the trays are effectively invisible. Few people, if any, will be able to tell that you have clear aligners on.
Benefits of Clear Aligners
Our office offers a wide range of orthodontic treatment options. For children, metal braces can be an effective option for addressing complex teeth alignment options.
Adults often seek less visible and less intrusive options from our list of orthodontic services. One of the main benefits of clear aligner technology is that it is basically invisible. Many adults understandable are reluctant to have visible brackets and wires placed.
Invisalign aligners are also easy to keep up with. They are also convenient and comfortable to use.
The most important benefit of clear aligners, though, is their incredible cosmetic results that can transform your smile.
Am I a Candidate for Invisalign for Adults?
Pretty much any adult is a candidate for Invisalign. The cosmetic treatment addressed a wide range of alignment issues that include:
- Small gaps
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
Before you undergo this form of orthodontic treatment, Dr. Yashu Singh will need to determine that you are in good oral health. Any tooth decay or gum disease will need to be addressed before you can be fitted with Invisalign.
If you are tired of being embarrassed to smile, don’t hesitate to learn if you might be a candidate for this popular treatment option.
What to Expect During Treatment
Once your candidacy has been established, a date will be set for you to visit our office. Dr. Singh will use a special device to take digital images of all of your teeth. This information will then be sent to an Invisalign lab.
A lab technician will use the images to fabricate a set of trays. Minor alignment problems may only require a few or several trays. More complex alignment issues may require more than a dozen trays.
Once the technician mails the trays to our office, another date will be set for you to visit our office. During this second visit, Dr. Singh will place your first set of trays. A team member will give you instructions on how to place and care for your clear aligners.
Placing Your Trays
Dr. Singh will send you home with several sets of trays that are to be worn for intervals of two weeks. You must wear the trays for at least 22 hours per day. This allows your treatment timeline to be met.
Throughout the treatment, you will need to periodically visit our office for checkups. Dr. Singh will examine your teeth to determine whether your treatment is going to schedule.
Depending on the complexity of your orthodontic treatment, you may need to have special small attachments placed on the front of your teeth. These white buttons are tooth-colored.
The first few hours after placing your trays can be a bit uncomfortable. As your teeth adjust, this momentary discomfort will dissipate.
One way you can minimize this discomfort is by placing your new aligners before going to sleep. That way, you sleep it off.
Maintaining Your Clear Aligners
Maintaining your clear aligners is straightforward. Dr. Singh or a member of our team will give you instructions on how to care for your aligners.
When you wake up and before going to bed, use your toothbrush and warm (not hot) water to gently brush your aligners. This step removes buildup on the aligners. A clean aligner is a clear aligner.
Do not use toothpaste to clean your aligners. Doing so can leave a white film over the clear trays.
Before you eat, gently remove your clear aligners and place them in a small container. A mouthpiece holder works just fine.
Once you are done eating, place the aligners back. Just be sure that you don’t leave excess food particles trapped inside your clear aligners.
Any buildup of food particles inside your clear aligners can lead to tooth decay and other dental problems.
One of the best ways to avoid accidentally damaging your clear aligners is by wearing them for 22 hours a day. The more frequently you remove your aligners, the more likely you are to lose or damage them.
Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation Today
Have you lived with embarrassing dental alignment problems? Invisalign for adults offers an effective and discrete means of correcting problems like crowded, crooked, or gapped teeth.
The team of Sing Orthodontics is ready to help you realize the smile of your dreams. If are ready to work with Austin’s premier orthodontic team, contact one of our offices online today. A member of our team will respond promptly.
