Invisalign: Top Three Questions Answered about Invisible Braces

You’ve looked in the mirror enough times to realize that your teeth aren’t quite as straight as you’d like them to be. You’ve thought about talking with your dhealth cosmetic dentist about invisible braces.

If you’re like most people, you probably have a lot of questions. Here are the top three questions people contemplating Invisalign braces ask.

Can People See Invisible Braces in My Mouth?

The whole idea behind Invisalign is that they are invisible in your mouth. They look similar to teeth-whitening trays. The primary difference is that the unique thermoplastic material used in invisible braces is custom made to fit your specific needs. Therefore, the fit is better than generic over-the-counter tooth-whitening trays.

If people look closely enough, sure, they might notice your Invisalign braces. However, the aligners are so slim and trim they’re designed to be invisible.

Will I Still Be Able to Eat, Drink, Talk, and Kiss with Invisalign Braces?

It’s not unusual for new orthodontic treatments to cause initial, temporary difficulties. In the case of invisible braces, you may feel pressure, discomfort, speech issues, or a slight lisp for a day or two as your tongue becomes accustomed to the aligners. Eventually, this will disappear.

As for eating and drinking, the removable design of the Invisalign trays mean you can take them out at mealtime. In fact, it’s a requirement for the treatment. Afterwards, you brush, floss, and rinse before replacing your aligners – much healthier for your teeth and gums than conventional metal braces.

Keep in mind that watching what you eat is still essential. Invisalign doesn’t protect your teeth from sugary or acidic food and drink. Coffee and wine will still stain. Citrus and sodas will still wreak havoc on your enamel. Good oral hygiene is required for healthy teeth and gums. No gum chewing with invisible braces either – even sugarless. It will stick to the trays.

The idea behind Invisalign is to allow you to lead as normal a life as possible. That means you can sleep, kiss, and even play sports in them. If you need to wear a mouthguard during sporting activities, just temporarily remove the trays until you’re done.

How Many Hours a Day do I Have to Wear Invisible Braces?

The bottom line is that to ensure Invisalign braces are effective you need to wear them a minimum of 20 hours per day. Many dental professionals recommend 22 hours a day. Ultimately, you should only take them out when necessary for hygiene purposes. No wearing only the top or bottom tray unless your dentist approves it.

And don’t worry about them falling out while you sleep. Your dhealth dentist designs them to fit your teeth specifically. You should have absolutely no problem with them falling out or even breaking.  

For more questions about Invisalign braces and whether they’re the right move for you, talk to your dhealth cosmetic dentist today. 

You’re Never Too Old for Straight Teeth

You look in the mirror and don’t like your smile. Your teeth look a bit crowded and crooked. You wish they were all nicely aligned and straight.

Well, regardless of your age, if you’ve always dreamed of a straighter smile, it’s not too late. It’s time to talk to your dhealth cosmetic dentist about Invisalign braces.

How Conventional Metal Braces Work

Many adults see braces as a dental treatment just for kids. Not only do they mistakenly assume adults are too old for braces, they cringe at the thought of having a mouth full of metal like Ugly Betty. Both assumptions are wrong. Today’s dhealth dentist offers Invisalign, the virtually invisible braces.

Conventional braces consist of metal brackets and arch wires. Your dentist bonds a metal bracket to the front of each tooth. A thin metal wire, called an arch wire, connects each bracket and realigns your teeth by placing pressure on them.

In addition, some conventional braces use a small elastic ligature called an o-ring (much like a small, round rubber band) stretched between the upper and lower brackets to aid in the realignment. Others, called self-ligating braces, work without the elastic ligatures.

How Invisalign Braces Work

Invisalign braces, on the other hand, differ from metal braces in a number of ways. Instead of brackets and arch wire, Invisalign braces adjust your teeth using a series of clear, custom-made, removable aligners. That means you can take them out when you eat as well as when you clean your teeth. Plus, the aligner trays are smooth, clear plastic, making them virtually invisible to others.

Here’s how it works. You receive a set of Invisalign aligner trays. You wear them in succession, each for approximately two weeks. Wearing the aligners gently shifts your teeth into alignment according to a preplanned design by your dhealth cosmetic dentist.

A visit to your dentist every six weeks will ensure the aligners are working as expected. While the specific amount of time required to straighten teeth varies according to each dental patient’s specific circumstances, it usually takes 9 to 15 months and 18 to 30 sets of aligner trays for the complete Invisalign treatment.

There’s no reason to feel self-conscious about your smile. Invisalign braces allow you to feel good about your smile both during and after the process, and only you will know why.

If you want the benefits of straight teeth without the unsightly look of conventional metal braces, talk to your dhealth dentist about Invisalign braces today.