Invisalign® Before and After in Coral Gables, Miami, FL
Abadin Dental
Invisalign Before and After: A Complete Guide
Research indicates that nearly everyone has some type of malocclusion. These vary in severity from very mild to extreme. Patients who have a very mild malocclusion can often live with it without experiencing any negative issues. On the other hand, there are some who have problems with speaking, eating, and more- and need a solution.
For many years, traditional metal braces was the only option for treatment. However, Invisalign was introduced in the late 1990s. In this article, we’ll explain Invisalign before and after at Abadin Dental in Coral Gables, FL.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an alternative to clear metal braces for treating mild to moderate tooth misalignment. It is a series of custom-made clear aligners designed to put even pressure on teeth to shift them into alignment.
Invisalign Advantages over Braces
Invisalign offers several advantages of traditional metal braces, including:
Easy to clean
The wires and brackets of traditional braces make it difficult to brush and floss your teeth, but Invisalign is designed to be removed while eating and brushing/flossing, which makes the entire process much easier.
Convenient- fewer office visits required
Traditional braces require patients to visit the office every few weeks for tightening and adjustments. However, Invisalign aligners can be switched out at home based on your personalized treatment plan. You will need to visit periodically throughout treatment to monitor your progress, but not as often.
No food restrictions
When you have traditional metal braces, you have to avoid certain foods to prevent damage to the brackets and wires. However, Invisalign aligners should be taken out when eating or drinking. This means that you don’t have to give up your favorite foods- just make sure to clean your teeth before putting the aligners back in.
Improved appearance
Many patients find that traditional braces can be unsightly. Invisalign aligners are transparent, which means that no one can see them, and no one has to know that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment unless you want them to.
More comfortable
Traditional braces involve brackets and wires that put tension on the teeth to shift them into alignment. This tension can be uncomfortable until the teeth shift and the wires loosen. The brackets also often cause cuts and scrapes on the inside of the lips and cheeks as well as the tongue.
Invisalign aligners are custom-made to put even pressure across the entire arch and, while there is some discomfort, the process is not as painful as with traditional metal braces. In addition, the aligners are made from smooth plastic, so it does not cut and scrape the inside of the mouth.
Ideal for teens and adults
Typically, monitoring for misalignment starts around the age of 8. However, Invisalign should not be used until children are at least 13 years old. This is primarily due to the compliance requirements for Invisalign treatment.
Resolves dental issues
Invisalign has been proven successful for resolving mild to moderate malocclusion, including:
- Crowding
- Gaps
- Underbite
- Overbite
- Crossbite
- Misalignments
- Open bite
Invisalign Before and After: Transforming your smile
While dentists start monitoring your child’s mouth for misalignments around the age of 7, orthodontic treatment is not recommended until at least the age of 13. We recommend against Invisalign treatment until your child is old enough to wear the aligners as directed.
For the best results, Invisalign aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day. They should only be removed for eating/drinking and brushing/flossing teeth. You should even wear them while sleeping.
Malocclusions can have a negative impact on your confidence, but Invisalign can shift teeth into their appropriate positions. This creates a perfect, straight smile- which can improve your confidence.
Treating cavities with fillings during treatment can complicate the process because a filling changes the shape of the tooth. Invisalign trays are custom-made to fit your teeth based on the mold created during your initial visit. If a tooth changes shape, the tray will no longer fit properly. Therefore, it is important to treat all cavities prior to starting treatment.
Prior to and during Invisalign treatment, proper oral hygiene is critical. You should be brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once to remove food debris from between teeth. This will prevent plaque and tartar buildup and support the success of the aligners.
Invisalign aligners may cause you to develop a lisp, especially when you are just getting started with treatment. Once you get used to wearing the aligners, the lisp should fade.
When you first start wearing Invisalign aligners, kissing may be a challenge. However, since they are removable, you can take them out to kiss. Keep in mind though, that time counts toward your 2 to 4 hours of time that they can be out.
Invisalign aligners should be removed prior to eating/drinking. This will help keep the aligners from becoming damaged or stained from foods/beverages.
Every time you remove your aligners and before you put them back in, you should rinse them with cool water. You should clean them once daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and liquid soap.
When you complete Invisalign treatment, you will be given a retainer. This will keep your teeth in their new position. At first, it will need to be worn the same as the aligners. However, over time, the amount of time you are required to wear them will be reduced until you only need to wear them when you sleep.
Invisalign has been proven efficient for resolving mild to moderate malocclusions. In some cases, when paired with attachments and rubber bands, it may also be effective for more severe malocclusions. The attachments, or buttons, and rubber bands keep the aligners in place
Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation Today
If you have a misalignment and you’d like to resolve it, schedule your consultation with the team at Abadin Dental. We have the experience and expertise to give you that perfect, straight smile.
We are located at 504 Biltmore Way in Coral Gables. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
