Traditional braces have their pros and cons. On the plus side, of course, they have a reliable track record, so you know you’ll have a wonderfully straight and healthy smile at the conclusion of your orthodontic treatment. However, the down side is that you’ll have to contend with a certain amount of discomfort; there are foods you’ll be advised not to eat; and you’ll need to have your braces regularly adjusted. If you’d rather not have to deal with the drawbacks of metal brackets and wires, then consider Invisalign® clear braces. The dentists at Northeast Family Dental are certified Invisalign providers who will create a treatment plan to discretely move your teeth.
The Advantages of Invisalign
The most obvious advantage of Invisalign is that these braces are not obvious. Made of clear BPA-free plastic, Invisalign aligners work just as well as traditional orthodontics, but don’t show like metal brackets and wires.
In addition, some of the restrictions that are necessary with traditional braces do not apply to Invisalign because they are removable. For example, certain foods are off-limits when you’re wearing standard braces. Popcorn, chewy candy, hard pretzels, bubble gum and the like can dislodge or break the brackets that are cemented to your teeth.
And with Invisalign, you’ll also be able to brush and floss everyday just as you normally do. Simply remove your aligners and continue with your regular hygiene routine. With traditional braces, brushing and flossing can be a time-consuming hassle that some wearers simply choose to short cut rather than do well.
The Invisalign Process
When you come to Northeast Family Dental for Invisalign, Drs. Reichenbach or Killeen will first examine your teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy before you begin your orthodontic treatment. Then, with the aid of digital x-rays, photographs and molded impressions of your teeth, a treatment plan is developed. This plan is essentially the blueprint for how we’ll build your straight smile with Invisalign.
The Invisalign lab fabricates your aligners according to this treatment plan, too. Each pair of aligners—one for your upper arch of teeth and one for the lower—will build on the alignment progress of those you’ve worn previously. You’ll wear each pair for about two weeks and then move on to the next pair. At the end of treatment, which usually takes between 12 and 24 months, you’ll have a beautifully straight smile.