Straight teeth are an important part of a stunning, healthy smile. You can achieve this all-important smile feature without the use of obvious looking, uncomfortable, and high-maintenance conventional braces. “Clear braces” in Nashua NH at the office of Dr. Amanda Smith are not really braces at all. In fact, in the eyes of patients who have eliminated crooked, crowded teeth, they are much better than traditional metal brackets and wires.
Getting to know Invisalign
As an alternative to braces, Invisalign treatment involves wearing a series of dental appliances called “aligner trays.” These trays are made from a proprietary clear, lightweight plastic. They are based on images of your mouth, which are used to create a digital model of your teeth. So, they slip snugly yet comfortably to the contours of your teeth.
While the aligners resemble other types of transparent dental appliances, such as mouthguards and nightguards, they are much thinner and more discreet. After all, they are designed to be worn throughout the day and night. You’ll forget you’re wearing them (no metal poking at the inside of your mouth!), and no one else (besides your dentist) has to know they’re even in your mouth, due to their transparent appearance.
The trays are also FDA-cleared and are free of BPA, BPS, and latex. You have peace of mind that treatment for you or your teen is safe. Invisalign is also a proven and predictable way to treat misaligned teeth and correct bite-related problems. The system earned FDA clearance in the late 1990s and has improved more than 8 million smiles worldwide. The technology has evolved; more cases are treatable than ever before, and there are systems such as Invisalign Teen for younger patients, or patients with “mixed dentition” – baby and permanent teeth.
Invisalign is based on the same principles as conventional fixed braces; however, the appliances used to reposition teeth are dramatically different. Brackets and wires place pressure on teeth, facilitating movement. Invisalign aligners also reposition teeth by placing gentle pressure on them. Both options are effective. But the patient experience differs in several notable ways, including:
- Invisalign offers many “high-tech” benefits – The aligners are made from digital models of your teeth. This sophisticated software creates a step-by-step animation of your individualized treatment plan. So, our doctors can sit down with you and discuss exactly how your teeth will look at every stage of treatment.
- A convenient process – Braces are “fixed” to your teeth. Only your orthodontist can adjust the braces to move treatment/repositioning of your teeth forward. Likewise, should you break a wire or need repairs, only a dental professional can tend to those needs. Invisalign aligners slip easily and comfortably over your teeth and may be removed for eating and cleaning. You’ll visit Nashua Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry only every six weeks or so. During that visit, we’ll make sure treatment is progressing as it should, and give you the next sets of aligner trays as needed.
- Aligners are low maintenance – The only thing you really have to remember is to put the trays back in your mouth as soon as you are done eating and brushing and flossing your teeth. Make sure to rinse them well, especially after eating foods like blueberries that can stain the clear plastic. Also, keep the trays in the Invisalign storage containers when you’re not wearing them, to assure they aren’t misplaced or damaged. You’ll wear the same tray every two weeks, before swapping that one out for the next prescribed tray in your treatment plan.
Call (855) 363-3793 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith, and to experience the benefits of Invisalign for yourself. Within around six to 18 months, you can have straighter teeth, and a gap-free, healthier smile!