Traditional metal braces are a tried and proven way to address dental misalignments, but they come with conspicuous irremovable metal parts and frustrating dietary restrictions that can make the treatment process stressful for many patients. Thankfully, Invisalign can be a fantastic way to straighten out mild to moderate dental misalignments using removable clear aligners that are virtually invisible when worn. Here’s a quick look at how the treatment works and why it can be a potentially excellent option for adults of any age.
Who Can Be a Suitable Candidate for Invisalign?
A suitable Invisalign candidate will need to be able to keep up with a detailed list of treatment instructions that involve maintaining a rigorous hygiene regimen while wearing their aligners for at least twenty hours every day. Accordingly, the treatment may not be suitable for patients who may have difficulty keeping track of removable appliances or who would forget to wear their aligners enough. If the patient has an especially severe dental misalignment that requires elaborate movements such as tooth rotations to correct, traditional braces may be the better option.
While Invisalign has no upper age limit, orthodontic treatment is generally simpler and less time-consuming for younger patients. An older Invisalign patient may require a longer treatment time than a younger one with a similar misalignment.
How Does Invisalign Work?
The Invisalign process always begins with a consultation at your dentist’s office so they can evaluate your oral health and determine the best way to straighten your teeth. If Invisalign is the most suitable option, your dentist will take detailed digital measurements of your smile and send this data to a lab where your aligners will be manufactured.
During treatment, you’ll need to wear your aligners for at least twenty hours daily, so it’s best to only remove them for meals and oral hygiene sessions. Since it’s ideal to wait at least thirty minutes between eating or drinking anything but water and brushing your teeth, you’ll probably need to get used to scheduling meals and snacks so you have enough time to wear your aligners every day. Each set of aligners will need to be worn for about two weeks before the patient switches to the next pair in the sequence.
Invisalign may be the best way to achieve a beautiful new smile. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand which orthodontic treatment is best for you.
About the Practice
Woodside Dental Care offers the finest oral health services in town. Led by Drs. Maribel Montes, Melvin Velazquez, Sylvia Arsuaga, and Paola Velazquez, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys a pleasant treatment experience in a warm and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign services. To schedule your Invisalign consultation, contact the office online or dial (718) 898-6010.