If you are an adult who wants a straighter smile, the thought of metal brackets and wires is probably uncomfortable for you. Traditional orthodontics is a wonderful option for many people, but it is not the only option. At Pearl Dentistry, we are proud to offer our patients a way to straighten their teeth discreetly with Invisalign.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the most trusted brand of clear aligner therapy in the world with the longest, most successful history of creating beautiful smiles. Your dentist works with orthodontic lab technicians at Align Technology to design a customized treatment plan for your unique needs. Utilizing three-dimensional imaging, unique orthodontic software and CAD/CAM technology, your orthodontic treatment is high tech from start to finish.
After customizing your tooth movement, the lab technician creates a series of clear aligners that fit your teeth perfectly. Each aligner uses pressure to gently move the tooth or teeth into a new position, in increments of fractions of a millimeter.
The aligners are clear and fit closely over the teeth, so that they are virtually invisible. You can remove the aligners for eating, drinking anything besides water, and cleaning your teeth. Patients love the flexibility of aligner therapy for teeth straightening.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
The length of orthodontic treatment with Invisalign varies, depending on how much tooth movement is necessary to straighten the teeth. Obviously, teeth that are more crooked will take longer to straighten than teeth with only mild crowding. Most patients average about a year to eighteen months of aligner therapy. Some with severe cases may wear aligners for several years. We also have some patients with very mild cases, whose corrections are as quick as two to three months!
The length of treatment also depends on the patient’s diligence in wearing the aligners. The fact that aligners are removable is both good and bad. It is good in that it allows you to remove them for special occasions or speeches, and makes cleaning your teeth much simpler than traditional braces. However, it is also bad because you can remove them from your teeth. When you are not wearing them, they are not working. This puts a large portion of the burden of success on you, the patient! The more diligent you are in wearing your aligners a minimum of twenty-two hours each day, the more successful and shorter your treatment will be.
How Do I Get Started?
Are you interested in Invisalign to straighten your teeth? Call Pearl Dentistry today to schedule a consultation with our Invisalign experts. We can answer any question you have and help you get started with your treatment. Our goal is to give every patient a smile to love!