You do everything right when it comes to oral hygiene. You brush after every meal, making sure you brush one more time before bed. Flossing and mouthwash are par for the course every evening. Your teeth are unstained, healthy, and strong. Your gums are in great shape too. You see your dentist and oral hygienist twice a year. You should be happy with your smile, but you’re not. Your teeth are not aligned properly. Whether you have crowding, large gaps due to too much space, or an issue with your bite, it can take away from your smile. It’s hard to be confident about your teeth when they don’t line up the way they should. You want to show off your pearly whites. You’re wondering if Invisalign® in North Carolina could be the solution for you.
Understanding How Invisalign® Could Help You
Invisalign® is an orthodontic treatment option that uses clear aligners to shift your teeth into proper alignment. The aligners are made from a type of plastic that is used for medical purposes. The plastic will hold up for as long as you wear them. Your aligners are designed specifically for you. They are not one-size-fits all. Our orthodontist in North Carolina will use 3D imagery and digital x-rays to get a clear picture of your teeth. This imagery will be used to create your aligners. You’ll wear each set of aligners for two weeks. At that point, you’ll get a new set to accommodate the movement of your teeth. You can expect your treatment time to last a year to a year and a half. To ensure you get the best results, you will need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours every day. Manage to wear them for a longer period of time to improve your results.
Is Invisalign® Going to Work for You?
Only a professional like our orthodontist in North Carolina can be the judge on whether or not Invisalign® is your best option. If you have severe orthodontic problems, such as an overbite that is extreme, our orthodontist is likely to recommend you for a different approach. Invisalign® is effective in treating gaps, crowding, underbites, overbites, or crossbites. As a rule of thumb, this method of orthodontic treatment is best for milder conditions. Age is another factor. Invisalign® is not typically recommended for children. However, it’s a popular option for adolescents and adults.
You’ll need to be ready to take on the commitment involved with Invisalign®. Other treatment methods are permanently fixed to your teeth until your treatment is over. With Invisalign®, it is going to be up to you to wear your aligners consistently. You need to come in when it’s time for a new set. You also need to take good care of your aligners. Be prepared to stick it out until our orthodontist in North Carolina tells you you can stop wearing your aligners. Once your treatment is over, you’ll have to follow your instructions about wearing a retainer. Otherwise, you could see your teeth return to their original position.
Why Choose Invisalign® Over Traditional Orthodontic Treatment Options?
Braces are still the most common way to resolve orthodontic issues. However, they are very visible if you go with metal wire brackets and wires. They can also irritate your mouth. They make it harder to keep your teeth clean. Invisalign® is a great option when you don’t want the world to see that your teeth are being adjusted. They’re perfect when you want to maintain an excellent oral hygiene regimen. Just take them out while you are brushing and flossing. It’s simple to keep your aligners clean. All you need to do is soak them in denture cleaner or a cleaner designed specifically for Invisalign®. Clear mouthwash is effective as well.
If you find any debris caught on your aligners, you can use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste. Just be gentle. You can remove your aligners every time you eat. Be careful with what you drink. You don’t want to stain your aligners. Either take them out or stick with water. If you play contact sports, you can remove them during a game to make sure they don’t get damaged. You can leave your aligners out if you have a special event. Just make sure you get your 22 hours in each day.
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign®?
When you choose Invisalign®, you will be taking a step toward a more beautiful smile. You’ll also be able to keep your teeth in good shape during treatment. Once your teeth are shifted into the proper position, you will have a boost in confidence. You’ll love the difference that straight teeth can make. An attractive smile can open the doors to new relationships. You’ll have higher self-esteem when you are taking on professional opportunities. You’ll also be able to improve your oral health when it is easier to clean your teeth thoroughly.
In addition to this, Invisalign® can improve your bite. When you have the proper bite, you won’t put strain on your jaw joint. This could help you to avoid a TMJ disorder. Properly aligned teeth may also help you to reduce your chances of developing sleep apnea, a condition that occurs when your airway is blocked while you are sleeping. Your treatment time will run about the same amount of time as traditional braces. In some cases, you may have that straight set of teeth in a shorter amount of time.
What Are Your Other Options?
If Invisalign® won’t work for you, don’t give up on improving your smile. You can still turn to regular braces at our practice in North Carolina. If you don’t want anyone to see them, they can be mounted behind your teeth. You may also want to try clear braces that are made from ceramic brackets. Our orthodontist can advise you about your treatment alternatives.
Who Is the Best Professional to See about Invisalign®?
Many dentists are now offering Invisalign®, due to the ability to use advanced imagery to tailor treatment for every patient. However, an orthodontist specifically focuses on the alignment of your teeth. To have the most comprehensive evaluation and a guide for orthodontic treatment, an orthodontist is best. Our orthodontist in North Carolina will be able to tell you if you can go with Invisalign® or not.
What Do You Need to Do to Prepare for Invisalign®?
Your teeth will need to be evaluated before you begin treatment with Invisalign®. If you have any issues with decay or damage to your teeth, you should take care of those issues first. You may need to have teeth extracted to make room for your teeth to shift. If tooth extraction is necessary, the four molars in back are typically removed. In some cases, you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed.
Plan on Seeing Our Orthodontist Regularly
Our orthodontist is going to check in with you every two weeks. Your progress will be monitored. Make sure you bring up any problems. You can expect your teeth to be sore when you put in your new aligners. This is normal. They are applying gentle pressure to your teeth to help them to move. Your discomfort will ease up as you become accustomed to them. You can expect some discomfort each time you put in a new set of aligners. You may experience some mild irritation to your gums or the inside of your mouth as you get used to your aligners.
You Could Have the Smile of Your Dreams with Invisalign®
When you team up with our orthodontist in North Carolina to get Invisalign® aligners, it can transform your smile. You’ll have to be patient. No type of orthodontic treatment is going to give you a quick fix. Making your teeth shift has to be a gradual process. However, you’ll be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Your orthodontist can show you what your smile is going to look like through the use of digital imagery. Take pictures of your teeth once a month and keep them in a photo album. When your journey to a beautiful set of teeth is over, you’ll be able to see what a difference your aligners made for you.
Learn More about Invisalign® in North Carolina
If you feel like your teeth are holding you back from looking your best, make an appointment with our North Carolina orthodontist to talk about Invisalign®. Our orthodontist will use a wealth of knowledge and experience to determine if Invisalign® can help you. Expect a combination of a physical assessment of your teeth and the use of digital imagery. Once our orthodontist knows about what your problems are with your teeth, it will be possible to decide what to do next. You’ll have a chance to review all of your alternatives. If Invisalign® is recommended, you can prepare for your first set of aligners to arrive soon. You’ll be on your way to straighter teeth in the near future. Visit MyOrthodontist in North Carolina to learn more. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
