For persons whose teeth are too widely spaced, there is a possibility of their gums getting red and inflamed which makes it uncomfortable. For those whose teeth are crooked or maybe overcrowded, it can make for difficult cleaning and this can lead to plaque build-up and ultimately tooth decay. It is therefore necessary to straighten your teeth and your smile to improve your oral health and dental hygiene so as to reduce any risk to your overall health. You can read more about causes of crooked teeth here.
Common teeth straightening till date usually involves using braces and metal wires. More recent development and technology as well as a desire for more aesthetically appealing methods have made available other ways of doing this one of which is Invisalign and works for a wide range of misalignments.
Invisalign, which was founded in 1997 are clear teeth straighteners and aligners that are worn most of the day. They help to gradually move a person’s dentition in such a way as to result in a desired and comfortable outcome. Invisalign is barely noticeable because they are clear. You can also easily remove or replace it as needed, which means that they do not get in your way.
What You Should Know When Getting Invisalign
Before getting Invisalign, here are things you have to put into consideration;
It is not for Everyone
Most orthodontic issues can be treated with Invisalign such as gaps, crooked teeth, and over or under bites. It may however not be as ideal for severe cases such as people with big bites which might take a long time to get corrected. Invisalign has an online smile assessment that you can take to be sure if you qualify to get one. You can also reach out to this dentist located in Thousand Oaks so they can assess your teeth and advise you on your suitability for one. They will also be able to advise you on other options available if it is not.
Treatment Length Varies
When you start using Invisalign, you should know the estimated length of time the treatment will take. For most adults it is about a year. It could be more or less depending on how much work needs to be done on your teeth. For misaligned teeth, or few misplaced ones, you may just need it for a few months while for those with not so great dentition, it will definitely last longer.
All these should be discussed during the initial consultations with your clinic so you will know how long you need to wear them. Remember that this is an estimate and the time could be more or less. Also, some patients sometimes need extra trays or “finishing aligners” even after the estimated period to make their teeth perfect. Keep that in mind and do not get alarmed if you need to. If you stick to your treatment plan, you will start to notice an improvement in your dentition in about 3 months.
Treatment Cost
One question that a lot of people as is how much is Invisalign treatment? This is mostly dependent on your clinic and the kind of treatment you will require.
You have to Wear it Most of the Time
If you desire a result and a better smile, then you have to take responsibility for your treatment. It is easily removable and replaceable but you also need to wear them for at least 22 hours a day. You should mostly take it out only when eating or brushing.
This freedom of removing and replacing means you have to be responsible keeping them in place. You should not leave them out for a long time because this can delay your treatment. It takes a lot of work and discipline, especially having to remove it every time you need to eat and brush, but it is the only way to achieve the best results. As you keep using it, you will get used to it and you will start noticing it less and less.
You Need a Retainer
After using the aligners for treatment and straightening your teeth, just like braces, you will need to use retainers which are custom made and holds your already aligned teeth in position. For people who forget to use retainers, they risk their teeth shifting position. You can wear the retainers even at night and after wearing Invisalign over time, wearing retainers should not be a problem. More so, you can take comfort in knowing that this will make your dentition and smile better. You can read up about retainers here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retainer_(orthodontics).
Your Speech May Be Affected In the Early Days
When wearing them for the first time; for the first one or two weeks, you will likely have a slight lisp or slur in your speech, making you sound different. Rest assured that as you get used to using Invisalign, it will go away and your speech will get much better. Interestingly, other people do not usually notice the slur a lot of times.
You Will Need to Brush a Lot
Using this invisible brace requires that you brush your teeth all the time. Each time you have to eat or drink anything, you need to remove it and brush before replacing it. Basically, you brush in between meals so whatever you eat does not linger in your mouth. The good thing about all this is that you are not restricted and can still eat your regular meals. The purpose of brushing every time is to prevent tooth decay as this can happen if food is trapped under the aligners and not adequately cleaned.
You May Experience Some Discomfort
Like most orthodontic treatment, you may experience slight discomfort when using Invisalign, especially at the beginning. This is due in part to the fact that you are attaching something that is not naturally part of your teeth to it and also the fact that they are shifting positions. Wearing the aligners in themselves is comfortable but as it starts to move your teeth, you may feel some sensitivity or looseness. Note that this does not happen to every user and may vary per person.
For more factors to consider, check this article.
Conclusion
Invisalign is a revolutionary way of aligning your dentition for a better smile. It is easy to use, works faster and with less discomfort than other traditional solutions. The most that is demanded of you is that you are disciplined in cleaning and replacing it each time you remove it. You can check with your clinic today to see if it is suitable for you.
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