on Sep 26th, 2018
At Lansdowne & Herndon Smile Design, we see crooked teeth every day. Crooked teeth can draw attention, and when you become conscious of others looking at misaligned teeth, you start to hide your beautiful smile.
We see patients who would like to fix their crooked teeth, but so many people do not believe it is possible. My teen patients are slow to agree to straighten teeth, because they imagine braces to be uncomfortable and unsightly. Older people are the same, with memories of friends teasing others at school.
Invisalign does an excellent job of straightening crooked teeth, and it solves the problem of unsightly and uncomfortable braces. When we explain to patients that such help is available, they often don’t believe us.
With this in mind, I’ve put together this post on fixing crooked teeth with Invisalign to try to answer all of your questions.
Let’s start at the beginning
The first question out of every patient’s mouth when we suggest the system is generally, “What is Invisalign?” The quick answer is that they are clear aligners that fit snugly over your teeth. They do not go on your teeth, like traditional braces, and they are not fixed into place with cement. The Invisalign aligner is removable, which is a big bonus when brushing your teeth or eating meals.
After having your Invisalign aligners fitted, you will hardly know they are in place. Friends, colleagues, and loved ones will not notice them either, though they may notice you smiling as your teeth improve.
Fitting Invisalign aligners is easy
We will only recommend the Invisalign aligners to suitable patients and only after examining your mouth in great detail to ensure that you are a right candidate. The aligners are custom-made for each patient. Once you are good to go, we will take full scans of your teeth and gums, making sure we get all that is needed.
At the lab, the technicians work from your scan. They manufacture the aligners to fit only your mouth and teeth. When you come to the practice for a fitting, they will be ready to slide into place during your appointment. Fitting takes a short time, and you will be soon on your way to straightening those crooked teeth.
Invisalign aligners work while you go about your day.
The recommended wearing time for Invisalign aligners is 22 hours a day. This may seem like a long time, but as they fit so comfortably in your mouth, you will likely not even notice them. The aligners move as your mouth does, gently but surely straightening the crooked teeth. You may feel the pressure they apply to the gums when we first fit them, but that slight discomfort goes away within a couple of days. Invisalign can also rotate teeth where needed.
You will see results in as little as three months. At Lansdowne & Herndon Smile Design, we will replace the aligners about every two weeks, keeping up the good work with a fresh set each time. We often have patients asking to wear their aligners for longer. They see how good the system is and wish to tackle other problems in the mouth.
There are other benefits, too
Invisalign straightens your crooked teeth in a short time and in a way that you will hardly notice, but it offers other benefits, too. Straight teeth require less dental work. They are easier to clean and floss. You will notice fewer visits to the dentist, except for routine cleanings, and a reduction in cavities. Healthy teeth have a positive effect on your overall health as well, since oral infections can cause damage to the heart and other organs of the body.
Invisalign can boost your confidence by giving you back a great smile, and at Lansdowne & Herndon Smile Design, we think this is the greatest benefit of all.
Call today
If you or the teens in your family have crooked teeth, then you may consider Invisalign. At Lansdowne & Herndon Smile Design, we fit Invisalign aligners every day and see the benefits in our happy, smiling patients. Schedule an appointment today, and say goodbye to hiding your smile.