If you’ve been dreaming of a straighter smile but want to avoid the look and feel of bulky metal braces, Invisalign may be the orthodontic option for you. Our Katy dental studio can help you with any questions you may have.
Invisalign is a great option for teens, adults, and anyone looking for a discreet orthodontic solution. Using clear plastic trays to gently exert pressure on your teeth, these aligners shift them into the desired position. They are thin, nearly invisible, comfortable, and removable. With traditional braces, you have to change your diet, your at-home oral hygiene routine, and deal with hard metal brackets and sharp wires that can poke your gums and cheeks. This is not the case with Invisalign! You can enjoy your normal routine while watching your teeth become straighter right before your eyes.
Over 13 million people have straightened their smiles with Invisalign.
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Keep the transformations rolling and take advantage of our whitening special after completing your Invisalign treatment! You’ll have a straight bite and a bright smile to match.
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Brush and floss normally and keep eating your favorite foods.
No metal brackets or wires to poke your gums or cheeks here!
Watch your smile transform before your eyes in as little as 12 months.
During your first visit, your cosmetic dentist in Katy will take a look at your bite and smile to determine if Invisalign is the right option for you. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask any questions that you may have about your smile, Invisalign, or other treatment options.
Once you’re approved for treatment, we will take scans or impressions of your teeth to ensure your Invisalign trays fit perfectly. When your aligners arrive at our office, you’ll come and pick them up to begin your treatment.
Every six weeks or so, you’ll come back to our office to pick up your next few sets of aligners. Every treatment plan is different, so this amount of time may vary based on your needs. These check-ins are essential to ensure your treatment is on track and that your Invisalign trays are fitting properly.
These clear aligners are designed using a mold of your teeth. A lab technician will apply layers of a photo-sensitive liquid resin to this custom mold. Next, the technician will expose this resin to a laser, curing it into a hard, yet flexible, thermoplastic. This plastic is called SmartTrack®, and it was created exclusively for Invisalign treatment. It’s FDA-approved and contains no BPA, BPS, latex, or gluten.
Invisalign aligners are nearly impossible to see when wearing them. This is because they are made out of clear plastic and are perfectly fit to your smile. Your trays will be custom-made to fit your gum line for a more seamless look. Plus there are no metal brackets or wires, so you can feel confident in your smile throughout treatment. However, if you eat or drink with your aligners in, they could become stained, making them more visible.
The cost of treatment with Invisalign is usually comparable to the cost of traditional braces. Every case is different, though, so it’s important to discuss your budget with your doctor. During your consultation, your doctor will consider multiple factors including your needs, your lifestyle, and your budget before helping you decide which treatment to proceed with.
While Invisalign trays look very similar to night guards and mouthguards, we do not recommend that you use Invisalign as a nightguard. The clear plastic trays are designed to gently shift your teeth, not protect them. If you grind your teeth at night, we may recommend that you get a night guard to protect your teeth and go with traditional braces instead of Invisalign. If you wear your aligners at night and notice that they are becoming cracked or worn down, this may be a sign that you are grinding your teeth at night. This will affect your treatment so be sure to let your doctor know right away if you think you might be grinding your teeth.
While Invisalign is usually more comfortable than traditional braces, there is still some discomfort associated with all orthodontic treatments. Since we will be shifting your teeth, you may notice tenderness and soreness as you get used to each new set of trays. Invisalign works by applying gentle pressure to your teeth which in turn creates inflammation that signals your tooth roots to shift. If you would like to lessen your discomfort during the initial adjustment period, we recommend that you take Tylenol. It is important to avoid ibuprofen because it is an anti-inflammatory and actually hinders the tooth movement process.
If you notice that your aligners become damaged, cracked, worn, or if you lose your aligners, contact your doctor right away. If you delay this will only prolong your treatment and could reverse the progress you have made. In the event that you lose your aligners or if they become damaged, let us know and we will help you get back on track.
Caring for your Invisalign trays is quite simple. All you need to do is brush them with a toothbrush and toothpaste when you brush your teeth. If you are in a situation that prevents you from cleaning them, you can rinse them with lukewarm water. It is important to avoid rinsing them with hot water as this could warp the trays.
For most patients, your treatment plan will indicate that you wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day, however, this may vary based on your unique needs. When in doubt, we recommend wearing your aligners at all times except for when you take them out to eat, drink, brush, and floss. This will ensure you are getting the most out of your treatment and that your teeth are shifting as quickly as possible.
If you have minor or moderate orthodontic issues, you are likely a good candidate for treatment with Invisalign. So long as your mouth is free of any oral health issues like gum disease or tooth decay, you will probably be eligible to proceed with treatment. However, Invisalign is not for everyone. Severe orthodontic issues may not be able to be addressed with Invisalign. In these cases, we usually recommend treatment with traditional metal or ceramic braces as they can provide more powerful results. To find out about your options for orthodontic treatment, schedule your consultation today!