Everyone deserves a bright, healthy smile they are happy with. But for many of us, traditional metal braces are undesirable or impractical. Adults, in particular, can find it embarrassing to wear braces and for people who play contact sports on a regular basis, they can be dangerous. Those looking for an alternative can turn to Invisalign.
These removable, invisible aligners are easier and more comfortable to wear, which has made them widely popular as an orthodontic solution. Custom-moulded to your bite, the aligners slowly move your teeth to the desired position. You’re given a new set approximately every two weeks until your teeth are straightened.
What is the Treatment Process?
The treatment process for Invisalign begins with an initial consultation with a dentist at an approved clinic such as King Street Dental. Your dentist will determine whether it’s an appropriate treatment for you then take impressions and photos of your teeth.
These are then sent off to the Invisalign team, who 3D print a series of custom-made invisible aligners. Your dentist will give you three or four pairs of aligners every two or so weeks depending on your treatment plan and desired results.
When Do You Have to Wear Invisalign?
To be effective, you need to wear your retainers for as much of the day as possible (20 to 22 hours). You should only take them off to eat food, consume hot or sugary drinks, clean your teeth or take an occasional short break.
Is Invisalign Painful?
Unlike metal braces, Invisalign doesn’t irritate your cheeks and gums and you have the benefit of being able to eat whatever you want. You may experience temporary discomfort and an effect on your speech, but this tends to pass in a couple of days once your tongue gets used to having them in your mouth. After that, most people barely notice them — this makes it easy to wear them for most of the day.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
The average period of treatment is around 12 months for an adult or up to 24 months for a teenager, from getting your first aligners to fully correcting your teeth. Of course, this can vary depending on your specific case. Your dentist will provide you with a detailed treatment plan during your consultation, where you’ll get a better idea of the treatment length.
Taking Care of Your Aligners
Taking care of your invisible aligners is simple. Clean them by gently scrubbing with a soft toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste. Ensure you never wear your aligners while eating or drinking anything other than water as they can distort when coming in contact with heat.
Anything that contains sugar or acid can sit on your teeth beneath the aligners causing plaque and decay. Prevent this by quickly cleaning your teeth after every meal, drink or snack before putting your aligners back on.
Find Out More About Invisalign at King Street Dental
At King Street Dental, our dentists are approved to provide Invisalign orthodontic treatment from our clinic in Templestowe. Our professional and friendly team of dentists have extensive experience providing a wide variety of dental treatments from teeth whitening to dental implants.
Book an appointment today by calling (03) 8842 4506 or contact us online.