Jun
There’s no doubt that Invisalign offers a more comfortable, convenient way to straighten your teeth, but is it for everyone? Learning more about Invisalign dentistry can help you decide if it’s a good fit for you. Dr. Edgar Mendieta from Global Smiles Orthodontics is your Invisalign provider for residents in and near Columbus, Ohio. The following Invisalign FAQs explain more about this treatment.
Invisalign is an orthodontic system that replaces traditional braces to straighten your smile. In place of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses custom-made, removable aligners to move teeth into alignment.
First, Dr. Mendieta will evaluate your smile to identify areas that need improvement, such as misaligned bites, protruding teeth, or gaps. Next, we’ll take digital scans of your teeth to map out your treatment and visualize how your teeth will move to create a perfectly aligned smile. The same digital technology is used to customize aligners for your procedure. The key to success for Invisalign is aligner use. Wearing the aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily will help you complete your treatment more quickly. Every few weeks, you’ll switch to a new set of aligners to keep your teeth constantly moving until your smile goals are achieved.
For the most part, yes! Most cases of crooked, misaligned, crowded, or unevenly spaced teeth can be corrected with Invisalign. If a problem is too severe or complex for Invisalign, traditional braces may be needed.
As every case is unique, there’s no set timeframe for Invisalign procedures. A great deal depends on aligner use, the problems that need to be fixed, and the complexity of your treatment. On average, most people use their aligners for 12 to 18 months. We can estimate the timing of your particular treatment after evaluating your teeth.
Invisalign clear aligners are discreet, eliminating any concerns you may have about your appearance. There are no dietary restrictions as the aligners are removed for eating. You can continue to eat the foods you love. The aligners are also removed for brushing and flossing, making oral hygiene a breeze. Most of our patients find the aligners comfortable to wear, easy to use, and easy to care for, making this treatment less tedious. You’ll also love the beautiful results at the end of your procedure!
Once you’ve achieved your smile goals, you’ll wear a final retainer to keep your teeth in their realigned state indefinitely. This retainer will keep your teeth from relapsing. In the first few months, the retainer is worn full-time. Afterward, only at night. Dr. Mendieta can also attach a permanent retainer to the back of your teeth to maintain your beautiful smile for life.
We’ve got you covered at Global Smiles Orthodontics in Columbus, OH! Contact us at (614) 230-0374 for all your Invisalign orthodontic needs.
