Braces aren’t the only option anymore when it comes to straightening your teeth. There’s a whole world of clear orthodontics out there that are completely different from the metal wires and brackets you may be familiar with. Invisalign® is a type of clear orthodontic treatment at our dental office. Here’s how it works:
Controlled Movement
Invisalign utilizes a progression of clear plastic aligners that are custom-made to fit over your teeth, while still nudging them into their new positions. Every few weeks, you’ll swap out your aligners for a set of new ones. Each set of aligners is a stage in which your teeth are moved a certain amount. Each time you put on the next set of plastic aligners, you may notice they are shaped slightly differently than the previous ones. Generally, you’ll wear each set of aligners for about two weeks.
Time Commitment
You may be surprised to know that teeth are constantly moving and shifting, even if it’s not always noticeable. That’s why it’s so important for Invisalign patients to wear their aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours every day. It may be tempting to take them out for longer, outside of eating and brushing, but if you do, you risk them moving back to their original crooked or gapped positions. That, in turn, will just set you back in your treatment schedule.
Post-Invisalign Care
Speaking of teeth shifting, this is the same reason why you’ll receive retainers to wear after your Invisalign treatment is done. You’ll wear these retainers at night to keep your smile in place. After all, you want to preserve all the hard work you put in throughout your treatment!
Invisalign Near Fayetteville, AR
Interested in getting Invisalign for yourself? Farmington Dental & Orthodontics is here to help with both traditional Invisalign and Invisalign Express. Our team would be happy to schedule your orthodontic consultation to determine if Invisalign is right for you. Contact us today!
