Ready for Straight Teeth? Consider Clear Aligners

Would you like to straighten your teeth but dread the thought of wearing traditional metal braces? If so, invisalign® aligners could be just what you need.

Invisalign aligners are clear and removable, and they’ve helped more than 14 million people get the smiles of their dreams. In this blog, David Epstein, DDS, and Nikita Vakil, DMD, of The Woodlands Dental Group in The Woodlands, Texas, explain what clear aligners are, how they work, and some of their many benefits.

The basics of Invisalign aligners

With the Invisalign system, you get a series of clear, medical-grade plastic aligners. Each set in the series is slightly different from the others. And each time you put in a new set of trays, they shift your teeth closer and closer to their ideal positions. When you take out your last set, you have the smile you desire.

To get your aligners, you first have a consultation. At this time, we review your cosmetic and orthodontic needs and examine your mouth. We also take images, which may include X-rays and digital scans.

Then, we send your information to a lab, where your series of aligners is created. The number of trays made for you will depend on your case. Then, you return to our office, and we give you your series of aligner trays. Then, you change out your trays every 1-2 weeks (or as instructed).

The benefits of Invisalign aligners

There are a host of benefits when it comes to straightening your teeth with Invisalign aligners. Here are some of them:

Convenient and discrete 

One of the biggest advantages of clear aligners is their discreteness. If you’re not thrilled by the prospect of wearing metal braces, Invisalign aligners provide the discretion you want. These aligner trays are made from a clear, soft, BPA-free plastic, and they’re nearly invisible.

Although you need to wear your trays 20-22 hours a day for the best results, you can remove them to brush and floss and for special occasions.

Easy maintenance

Taking care of your aligners is easy. In general, you need to do the following:

• Clean your trays daily by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water. You can also use Invisalign cleaning crystals if you desire.
• Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water before reinserting your trays
• Keep your trays in a carrying case when eating

Before you head home with your first set of aligners, your provider will discuss any additional care or maintenance instructions you may need.

Comfortable

Not only are clear aligners more discrete, but they’re also more comfortable than traditional braces. Metal wires and brackets are notorious for causing sores and cuts. Clear aligners are smooth, so you won’t have anything to worry about.

Efficient and effective

Depending on the complexity of your case, treatment can be as short as six months. In general, it can take anywhere from 12-18 months. Regardless, you’ll start to see progress in just a few weeks 一 and that’s something to smile about!

To learn more about clear aligners and to see if they could help you, call 281-367-3085 to schedule an Invisalign consultation with The Woodlands Dental Group today.