Invisalign ® is a method of straightening teeth that is different from traditional braces. Treatment consists of using clear, plastic aligners that fit perfectly over your teeth and are changed out every few weeks. This allows them to move teeth little by little, until they are in perfect alignment.
Invisalign can be used to correct many of the same issues as conventional braces including:
- Crooked teeth
- Overbite – the top front teeth sit over the bottom teeth
- Underbite – the bottom teeth protrude and cover the top front teeth
- Crossbite – the upper and lower jaws don’t line up
- Open bite – the front upper and lower teeth don’t meet at all
- Crowded teeth
Depending on the severity of what needs to be corrected, not all patients are candidates for Invisalign.
The Process of Invisalign Treatment
First, a digital model of your teeth is made. Align Technology ™makes it possible for Dr. Grewal to create an exact digital replica of your teeth. This same technology allows him to digitally transform your teeth into perfect alignment and see the “after” results so that he can tweak each aligner to provide exact movement sequences. These will move your teeth little by little to the desired end result.
This treatment plan is transferred digitally directly to Invisalign® and they create all of the aligners per his specifications. Once manufactured, they are sent to our office, custom-made for you, and ready for use.
Before you begin to wear your aligners, there is some minor prep work that needs to be done. Dr. Grewal will bond a series of “attachments,” also called “bumps” to your teeth so that the aligners have something to grip on to. These tooth-colored bumps are made out of a composite material that is also used for fillings and dental repairs. The bumps are applied in such a way that they will help direct teeth in the proper direction. All of this is completely painless and can be done in just one visit! Once this process is done, you can begin wearing your first aligner.
Dr. Grewal will provide you will all of your aligners at the beginning of your treatment and advise you on how often you need to change them out. He’ll also let you know how often to come in for a progress check.
Tips for Invisalign Care
You should always remove your trays whenever eating or drinking anything other than water. You will also remove them in order to brush and floss your teeth. Make sure that you store your aligners in a safe place when they are not in your mouth so that they don’t get damaged or contaminated, and also so that you don’t accidently throw them away. We recommend always storing them in the supplied Invisalign case.
Aligners should be cleaned throughout the day whenever you take them out. If you’re not able to do this every time you eat or drink something, be sure and give them a good rinse with water. To clean, we recommend that you use a soft toothbrush and an anti-bacterial soap. This will help eliminate any build-up on the inside of the aligners and keep them sanitary before they go back into your mouth.
Do not use toothpaste or cleansers with dyes or heavy scents to clean your trays as these things can cause scratches or staining to the plastic. You can also soak your trays to give them a good cleaning. We recommend using denture cleaner or Invisalign® Crystals which are dissolved in water before use.
It’s also important to brush your teeth after each meal before putting your trays back in your mouth. This will prevent any residual food particles from becoming trapped between your teeth and your aligners which can cause bacteria to form.
Invisalign Advantages
- Because they are clear, they are almost invisible
- Since you remove your aligners to eat, you can still eat whatever you like (Conventional braces require some restrictions on eating chewy and hard foods)
- There is no need to worry about brushing and flossing properly around braces
- Less irritating to the inside of the mouth and easier adjustment period
Free Consultation
Love Orthodontics is proud to be able to offer Invisalign as an option for our patients. We always provide a free consultation for anyone interested in getting braces. Dr. Grewal and our staff are happy to answer all of your questions and discuss which options might be right for you!