In the past, your only hope for fixing a crooked smile was enduring years of metal in your mouth and possibly even headgear. Luckily, the days of brackets and rubber bands are long gone — teenagers and adults can now turn towards plastic tray aligners like Invisalign.
Invisalign is much more enticing, as it straightens your smile discreetly compared to classic metal braces. But there are still several factors to consider before you decide to try Invisalign. For example, how long does Invisalign take to work, and does it work as well as classic braces?
Let’s take a look to find out if Invisalign is right for you.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign involves wearing a series of removable plastic trays in your mouth that shift your teeth over time rather than metal wires and brackets. The plastic used for Invisalign is FDA approved, containing no BPA, BPS, latex, or gluten, and fits snugly onto your teeth. Since the plastic retainers are clear, they are far less noticeable than classic metal braces.
What does the Invisalign process involve?
Your orthodontist and their team will be with you every step of your journey to ensure that your trays fit correctly and progress is being made according to plan.
First, your orthodontist will analyze your teeth by taking 3-D images and plaster molds of your mouth. Then, they will use unique digital software to map out your projected teeth movements for your personal treatment plan. This way, each tray you receive will move your teeth gradually until you end your treatment with the smile you deserve.
What are the benefits of Invisalign?
The clear Invisalign trays snap right onto your teeth, making them barely noticeable to those around you. This way, you can go about your routine without being self-conscious about metal brackets being visible to friends, family, and colleagues.
Another benefit of Invisalign is you can pop them out whenever you have to eat, drink or brush your teeth. So say goodbye to the long list of food restrictions that come with your non-removable braces. Instead, if you’d like to have popcorn at the movies, or caramel apples at a state fair, just take out your Invisalign tray without having to worry about busting a bracket.
Who is a good candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign is a great solution for children, teens, and adults who prefer a more discreet fix for a misaligned bite or crooked smile. Those looking to wear nearly invisible plastic trays instead of metal braces will find that Invisalign is the best course of action.
However, it’s important to note that for this treatment plan to work, you must be committed to wearing the trays for at least 22 hours a day. So, a good Invisalign candidate will have the ability and discipline to commit to wearing them all day, except when eating, drinking, and brushing teeth.
Older teens and adults are the best candidates for Invisalign because their jaw has stopped growing, and generally can dedicate themselves to wearing the trays for the time needed.
If you need dental work to fix teeth gaps, misaligned bite, crowding, or mild crookedness, Invisalign may be a great option for you. However, if you need an adjustment on your bite for your back teeth, need to move your teeth vertically, or have other challenging dental issues, braces may be a better option for you.
How long does Invisalign take to work?
Many people are drawn to Invisalign treatments either from negative experiences with classic metal braces, or hearsay that leads them to want a more comfortable orthodontic experience than those around them struggling with brackets and rubber bands. If this sounds like you, Invisalign can help you achieve incredible results in a timely fashion.
Depending on your case, results from invisalign can be seen anywhere between six months and two years. Every smile is different, and the amount of time your Invisalign treatment will take depends on the level of dental correction needed.
What factors affect how long it takes Invisalign to work?
While it generally takes less than two years for Invisalign to work, there are a few factors that can affect the length of your treatment.
Dental arrangements such as gaps, an overbite, underbite, or crowding can all influence the timeline for your Invisalign treatment plan.
Your age can also affect the length of your treatment. Your teeth are easier to realign when you are younger, which is why the average age for orthodontic braces is between 9 and 14 years old. But, that doesn’t mean adults can’t get effective orthodontic treatment. In fact, one in five orthodontic patients is an adult.
Another important factor in how long your treatment will take is how closely you follow the treatment plan. Remember, Invisalign will be most effective if you wear your trays every day for 22 hours. Your dentist will have a set schedule for where your teeth will be and when you need to swap trays, so if you cannot follow the schedule, your treatment will probably take much longer than initially anticipated.
Is Invisalign right for me?
Are you ready to make an investment in your smile that’s less noticeable and more comfortable than braces? Invisalign can offer a personalized orthodontic treatment to help you achieve your perfect smile.
Now that you know more about the process, the next thing to do is visit qualified dental professionals like Muscaro and Martini Dentistry for a consultation. Our team can assess your teeth and create a treatment plan to help you reach the results you’re looking for.
Schedule an appointment at Muscaro and Martini Dentistry in South Tampa, Florida, to discuss your options and see if Invisalign is right for you.