Invisalign Treatment for Adults: A Beginner’s Guide
Nowadays, more and more adults are undergoing orthodontic treatment. According to a report published in the Dental Tribune, the number of adults in the United States and Canada who want to seek orthodontic treatment hit a record high of around 1.4 million patients.
One type of orthodontic treatment available to patients is Invisalign. This option involves wearing transparent, custom-made plastic aligners that treat a bad bite, underbite, overbite, crossbite, crowded teeth, and other orthodontic issues. If you have any of these oral problems, Invisalign may be the ideal solution for you.
A Look at the Invisalign Treatment Process
Before a professional Invisalign orthodontist makes the custom, clear aligners, he or she conducts an initial assessment of your teeth to find out if this treatment is suitable for you. During this period, you may raise any questions you have concerning the use of Invisalign for adults or other financial or orthodontic concerns.
If you’re qualified to undergo this form of treatment, your orthodontist will conduct a digital scan of your mouth and come up with a personalized treatment plan. The scan produces 3-D images of your mouth, which your orthodontist uses to produce your custom plastic aligners. If your orthodontist does not have a scanner, you may need to take some goopy impressions of your teeth which are messy, can take longer, and are not as accurate as the digital scan (so try to find an orthodontist that has a digital scanner).
You’ll be required to wear these transparent aligners for a minimum of 22 hours per day. Even though you’ll be wearing Invisalign most of the time, the aligner’s smooth and BPA-free exterior shouldn’t irritate your gums.
Apart from wearing your Invisalign every day, you’ll need to change your aligners every one to two weeks and visit your orthodontist every four to twelve weeks to get new sets of aligners. Periodically, you may need to do a new progress scan to continue the treatment process. This process will continue until all your teeth have shifted to their correct position.
Benefits of Undergoing Invisalign Treatment
This orthodontic procedure goes beyond giving you a straight smile and improving your facial appearance. Invisalign can also boost your oral health. Some of the benefits you’ll enjoy are the following:
Lower Risk of Tooth Decay
Keeping your teeth clean can be difficult if they’re crowded, crooked, or spaced far apart from one another. Overlapping teeth, for example, may make it hard for you to eliminate food particles and plaque stuck between your teeth. Plaque, when left untreated, feeds on the sugars you consume and produces acids that eat away the protective layer of your teeth. Invisalign adjusts the teeth into their proper positions, allowing you to clean your pearly whites properly.
Improves Speech
Your mouth needs sufficient space for your tongue to move freely and articulate words properly. Orthodontic issues, such as open bites and overbites, could cause lisping and other speech impediments. Invisalign shifts the position of the teeth to correct pronunciation issues and give your tongue the space it needs.
Decreases Oral Discomfort
Bite problems place unnecessary strain on some teeth and can cause excessive tooth wear. Aligning the teeth with Invisalign helps minimize this stress to reduce any wear and/or discomfort you feel in your mouth.
Maintains the Health of Supporting Tissues
Malocclusion wears down the teeth unevenly. It also breaks down the teeth supporting the bone over time, resulting in tooth loss. Undergoing Invisalign treatment helps keep the oral tissues and jawbones strong and healthy.
Provides Ample Space for Oral Implants
If you lose a tooth due to decay or injury, the neighboring teeth may shift their positions to close the gap. Wearing Invisalign helps move the teeth back to their original places and allows room for a dental implant.
Boosts Your Self-Esteem
If you feel self-conscious about the condition of your teeth, you’ll likely resist the desire to show off your pearly whites. Invisalign improves the appearance of your teeth, making you feel more confident about flashing your smile.
What You Need to Remember When Using Invisalign
While Invisalign is a comfortable and convenient way to straighten teeth, this treatment requires discipline and commitment. Here are a few things to take note of when wearing custom-made and transparent aligners:
Clean Your Teeth Daily
Regular brushing and flossing are necessary for the entire duration of the orthodontic treatment. Failure to do this could cause oral bacteria to accumulate inside the plastic trays.
Besides flossing and brushing daily, you can keep our mouth healthy by undergoing professional dental cleaning sessions. Get in touch with your dentist and arrange appointments for this oral procedure.
Wash Your Aligners Regularly
Your mouth isn’t the only thing you need to clean daily. You should also wash the aligners you use. Cleaning your Invisalign trays is easy: Brush them gently and use cold water to rinse away food debris. Maintaining the cleanliness of your aligners prevents damage and discoloration.
Store Your Invisalign Trays Properly
Leaving your aligners exposed allows bacteria to accumulate inside the trays. Additionally, you’re more likely to misplace your transparent aligners if you leave them out in the open. Lost or damaged Invisalign trays could delay your teeth straightening or alignment process.
If you aren’t using your aligners, place them inside the storage case. If you accidentally leave your aligners exposed to the elements, rinse them thoroughly before putting them back in their case.
Avoid Teeth-Staining Food and Beverages
During the entire Invisalign treatment process, steer clear of food and drinks that may stain your teeth. Residue from coffee or chocolate, for instance, could become stuck between your aligners and teeth. This could discolor your aligners and leave them gross or dirty.
Hold on to Your Previous Aligners
If the orthodontist asks you to switch to the next set of Invisalign aligners, keep your previous set with you. If you lose or damage your current aligners by accident, you can temporarily wear the previous set while you wait for your orthodontist to produce the replacement set.
If you are interested in Invisalign, you’ll need a certified Invisalign provider to determine your eligibility and, if qualified, prescribe the orthodontic plan to align your teeth. Yang Orthodontics is here to help you achieve the fantastic smile you want!
Our orthodontist, Dr. Stephen Yang, is a board-certified orthodontist in Redwood City who offers professional Invisalign treatment for adults and teens. We have the technology and expertise necessary to deliver the right treatment, help you straighten your teeth, and get you the smile you’ve always dreamed of!
Begin your journey towards a beautiful smile with Invisalign. Call (650) 366-5758 to schedule a free consultation.