Invisalign® offers a more subtle and convenient orthodontic alternative to conventional metal braces. The skilled team at Family Smile Dental has successfully treated over 300 patients with Invisalign, making the practice a Platinum provider of Invisalign. To set up your appointment at Family Smile Dental in the Sheepshead Bay or Midwood neighborhoods of Brooklyn, call either New York City office or book online today.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a system of clear plastic devices designed to fit over your teeth for 20-22 hours every day. You’ll change aligners every 1-2 weeks as each aligner is designed to place pressure at certain points in the arch and shift your teeth a little more than the last. At the end of treatment, you’ll enjoy a perfectly aligned smile that looks and functions optimally.
During the planning process for Invisalign at Family Smile Dental, your dentist takes digital scans and images of your teeth as well as X-rays that can show possible complications. Family Smile Dental then uses those scans, images, and impressions to map how your teeth will move with Invisalign and predict how long treatment will take.
Compared to braces, many individuals find Invisalign the best option due to comfort, aesthetics, and a lack of dietary restrictions. Plus, Invisalign aligners cause little or no irritation to your mouth tissues compared to traditional metal braces.
Can I benefit from Invisalign?
Your Invisalign aligners are customized to treat whichever form of malocclusion is present in your smile. Just like braces and other orthodontic treatments, Invisalign can alleviate:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Large gaps between teeth
- Tooth crowding
- Crossbite
- Open bite
- General crookedness
Having crooked or misaligned teeth might not seem like a big deal. However, adjusting them with orthodontic treatments like Invisalign gives you a better overall oral health outcome. Having properly aligned teeth lowers your chances of periodontal disease and tooth decay.
How should I care for my Invisalign devices?
While using Invisalign, you’ll need to make some adjustments to your daily routine and teeth cleaning rituals. Your aligners are removable, but you should refrain from removing them unless you’re eating or drinking anything other than water. You may also take them out for special occasions as long as you wear them for at least 20 hours a day.
To care for the aligners and make sure you don’t lose or damage them, Family Smile Dental recommends:
- Avoiding smoking
- Using the Invisalign Cleaning System
- Avoiding using hot water on the aligners
- Brushing your teeth after every meal
- Letting your dentist know right away if you lose or break an aligner
When you’ve completed your Invisalign treatment, your dentist at Family Smile Dental gives you a retainer to make sure your teeth don’t shift back toward their original positions. They also teach you the right way to use the retainer, like wearing it all the time or just at night.
To learn more about Invisalign and its benefits for your health and appearance, call Family Smile Dental or reserve an appointment online today.