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Millions of people across the United States have misaligned teeth. Many people can live with theirs- and even learn to embrace it. However, for some, misalignments cause oral health problems. This is where orthodontic care comes in.
For many years, the only option for orthodontic care was traditional metal braces, which is why most people ignored their misalignment. Braces could be uncomfortable and unsightly. However, in the late 1990s, Invisalign was introduced to the market as a viable alternative to traditional braces.
Today, many patients choose Invisalign over traditional braces because they offer a variety of benefits including discreet treatment, comfort, convenience, and so much more.
In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about Invisalign treatment at Precision Dental in New Port Richey, Florida.
Invisalign is an alternative to traditional metal braces consisting of a series of clear aligners. The aligners are custom-made to fit closely against teeth, providing even pressure to shift them into place.
Aligners should be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours a day and changed out every 1 to 3 weeks based on your treatment plan.
Invisalign treatment is a popular alternative for orthodontic treatment for a variety of reasons, including:
Traditional braces require brackets to be placed on teeth with an archwire running between them. Even so-called “clear” braces are not discreet at all. However, Invisalign clear aligners are virtually invisible and fit much like a retainer. Therefore, treatment is 100% discreet. Most people won’t realize you’re wearing them, even at close range.
The brackets and wires of traditional braces can be uncomfortable. The brackets are known to break, which can lead to mouth sores due to scraping against the cheeks, lips, and tongue. Invisalign aligners are made from smooth plastic, which reduces the discomfort factor. However, in some cases, if the aligners do not fit properly, the tops may scrape on the gums.
Traditional braces must be tightened as the teeth shift into their appropriate position. This means that you must take time out of your busy schedule every few weeks for a visit to the dentist’s office. Invisalign, on the other hand, does not require as many visits to the dentist. You will just need to visit after every few aligners, based on your treatment plan, so that we can monitor your progress and, if necessary, make changes to your plan.
Traditional braces require you to give up foods that are tough, hard, crunchy, and chewy but Invisalign aligners are designed to be removed while eating, which means you won’t have to give up any foods. However, you must make sure to clean your mouth before putting your aligners back in to avoid damaging them with food debris left behind.
The brackets and wires make oral hygiene challenging. However, Invisalign clear aligners are designed to be removed, which means there are no special considerations when it comes to oral hygiene.
The average treatment time with traditional metal braces ranges from around 12 to 24 months. In some cases, treatment may take as long as 36 months, depending on the type and severity of your malocclusion. The average treatment time with Invisalign clear aligners is 12 to 18 months, with some patients seeing full results within 6 months. On the other hand, some patients require up to 24 months.
The dentists at Precision Dental have the experience and expertise to successfully treat your malocclusion with Invisalign aligners. Here’s what you can expect through the treatment process:
Every procedure at Precision Dental begins with an initial consultation. During this visit, we will carefully examine your mouth, including taking appropriate images. We will discuss your current condition as well as your oral and overall health history. We will also discuss your goals and budget for treatment. We will use this information to create your custom treatment plan.
There are lots of options for Invisalign treatment, depending on your personal needs and goals for treatment. If you have a very mild malocclusion, you may only need Invisalign Lite, which consists of 5 aligners. On the other hand, if you have a severe malocclusion, you may need Invisalign Comprehensive, as well as the installation of attachments/buttons to secure the aligners in place.
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We will establish your personalized treatment plan. Everyone should wear their aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. There is some research that indicates that by wearing them longer, you may be able to accelerate your results. Aligners should be worn for 1 to 3 weeks each, depending on how much you need your teeth moved.
The digital images of your bite will be sent to the dental lab, where they will create your custom aligners. Once they are ready, the lab will send them back to the office.
While you won’t need to visit every few weeks, we do ask that you visit every few aligners so that we can monitor your progress. The dentist will explain these check-in visits when they outline your treatment plan. These visits will allow us to make any necessary changes to your treatment plan.
When you reach the end of your treatment plan, you will be given a retainer. You will need to treat it like an aligner at first, wearing it for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. Over time, the time requirement will be reduced until you are only wearing it overnight.
Make sure that you are practicing proper oral hygiene and keeping all dental checkups.
During the consultation visit, 3D images will be taken of your bite. These images will be used to create a digital representation of how you can expect treatment to progress. Then, they will be sent to the dental lab for the fabrication of your custom aligners.
The aligners are custom-made to fit tightly against your teeth, providing even pressure across the entire bite to shift teeth into their appropriate position. Each aligner is designed to slightly shift teeth.
Aligners should be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours a day and for 1 to 3 weeks, based on your individualized treatment plan.
The cost of Invisalign treatment ranges from a low of around $1,500 for up to 5 aligners to a high of around $8,000 for unlimited aligners. The cost of treatment includes the consultation exam and imaging required, the aligners, and the retainer.
If you require additional procedures such as extractions, gum disease treatment, fillings, or other treatments, the cost will increase.
The cost of Invisalign is comparable to that of traditional metal braces. Therefore, most patients would agree that the benefits of Invisalign treatment make it well worth the investment.
All of these can reduce your risk of losing the implant through implant failure.
Research has proven that Invisalign aligners are ideal for a variety of mild to moderate dental malocclusions, including overbite, crossbite, open bite, underbite, crowding, or spacing issues. Patients with more severe issues may still qualify for treatment with Invisalign but may require the assistance of attachments/buttons and/or rubber bands.
Since the aligners are removable, compliance is a major factor in the effectiveness of Invisalign treatment. Therefore, we typically recommend this option for adults and older teens who tend to be more responsible.
If you have an underbite, overbite, open bite, crossbite, or any other dental misalignment, schedule your consultation with the team at Precision Dental. We have the experience and expertise to help you straighten your teeth, creating the perfect smile you’ve always dreamed of.Â
If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic treatment, the dental team at Precision Dental in New Port Richey will be happy to discuss them. We appreciate the importance of understanding your dental procedures before getting started. Below are some of the most common questions that we’ve gotten about Invisalign clear aligners.
Research has proven the detrimental effects that smoking can have to your overall health and well-being. However, if you are unable to quit, we recommend that you do not smoke while wearing your aligners, as it may damage them. You can smoke while your aligners are out- but it’s important that you make sure to at least rinse your mouth before putting them back in.
Invisalign aligners should be removed prior to eating or drinking. Additionally, it’s important to rinse your mouth before putting them back in to remove any loose food debris. If possible, it’s best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.
You should clean your aligners once a day by using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a gentle cleanser to remove bacteria and plaque.
Yes, Invisalign clear aligners have been proven effective for resolving a variety of dental malocclusions including overbite.
Invisalign treatment can cause some discomfort since the purpose is to shift the teeth into their appropriate position. However, it is not as painful as traditional metal braces.
Gum is one of the many things that you must give up when undergoing orthodontic treatment with traditional metal braces. You can chew gum during your Invisalign treatment but it’s best to do so when you’re not wearing your aligners.
If worn as directed, for at least 20 to 22 hours a day, Invisalign treatment typically takes about 12 to 18 months. Patients on the mild end of the spectrum often see resolution within 6 months, while patients on the more severe end of the spectrum may need longer.
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