4 Questions to Ask Your Invisalign Dentist

Invisalign is a highly recommended and very popular orthodontic option for almost anyone with minor to moderate misalignment of their teeth. The treatment itself simply requires that the patient wears clear aligners for anywhere from 3 to 12 months, or sometimes longer for those who have more severe misalignment, which is far more comfortable and easier to maintain than traditional braces.

By applying specific pressure that is carefully determined when producing the clear aligners, patients will be able to gradually correct any gapping, overcrowding, crossbite, underbite, overbite, or crooked teeth with a final result of a beautifully straight and aesthetically appealing smile. Invisalign also tends to be slightly more affordable than traditional braces, making all that is included in the treatments as well as the achievable results well worth it for the vast majority of patients.

It is common to experience some discomfort or minor pain when wearing the clear aligners used for Invisalign since to move the teeth to their designated positions, constant pressure is applied to the misaligned teeth. However, this discomfort typically fades within a couple of days of starting each new set of aligners so long as the aligners are worn for the recommended amount of time.

Invisalign works by providing patients with a new set of aligners every week or two to continue moving the teeth into the desired positions. This means that if you had experienced some discomfort from the previous set of aligners, you would likely experience some discomfort again with the new set as the same amount of pressure will likely be applied to targeted teeth to continue the gradual process of moving them into the correct positions.

Those who have sensitive teeth or have a low pain tolerance are more likely to experience pain or discomfort as the teeth shift. Invisalign does not require the use of brackets or wires though, making them a more comfortable alternative to traditional metal braces.

Although Invisalign is a great option for most patients with mild to moderate misalignment of their teeth, it is not the best treatment option for every single patient, and there will be many cases in which a different orthodontic option will be suggested instead. Some examples of orthodontic problems that will likely require an alternative method of treatment include:

● Severe misalignment of the teeth
● Teeth that are severely rotated
● Teeth that are shaped improperly
● Teeth that need to be raised or lowered to achieve proper alignment
● Extreme gapping between the teeth

Invisalign may also not be recommended for some patients who are unable to take proper care of the aligners or their teeth during the process, as the success of the treatments requires a bit more responsibility from the patients than other orthodontic options that are available. It will also not be recommended for patients who smoke and who are unwilling to quit smoking for the duration of the treatments.

Invisalign has a very high success rate as orthodontists ensure that only those who are likely to be able to closely follow the requirements for treatment and for whom the treatment will be effective starting the process. There is such as high success rate for Invisalign primarily because the clear aligners that are used are custom-fitted for the patient’s teeth, making sure that every set will provide them with the exact desired results before moving on to the next set of aligners.

To ensure that the treatment is successful, patients will need to make sure that they are wearing the current set of aligners for a minimum of 22 hours per day, and that the clear aligners are properly cleaned regularly while ensuring that the patient is continuing to maintain good oral hygiene habits. To ensure that there is no shifting of the teeth once the treatment has been completed, it is common for patients to receive a custom-fitted retainer that should be worn at night to hold the teeth in place. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online.

We are conveniently located at 107 Cedar Grove Ln Suite 102, Somerset, NJ 08873. We serve patients from Somerset NJ, New Brunswick NJ, Highland Park NJ, Piscataway NJ, Hillsborough NJ, Manville NJ, South Bound Brooke NJ, and surrounding areas.