A naturally straight smile is a rarity; most people struggle with crooked and misaligned teeth. This affects your smile's symmetry and appearance and can also put you at an increased risk of oral health problems like tooth decay, cavities, malocclusion (a misaligned bite), and temporomandibular joint disorder.
If your less-than-straight smile is affecting your quality of life and oral health or you simply wish to have a straighter, more symmetrical smile, then teeth-straightening treatment with Invisalign might be the right treatment option for you.
An orthodontic, teeth-straightening treatment, Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional metal braces.
Invisalign treatment is custom-designed for each patient, taking into account the starting point of their teeth and the desired treatment results. Invisalign uses a graduated system of clear, plastic aligner trays to gently and gradually shift teeth into the desired positions. The patient wears each set of aligner trays for about two weeks, and each set of trays moves the teeth a little closer to the desired alignment. At the end of treatment, the patient's teeth will be straight and properly aligned.
Treatment with Invisalign has many benefits and offers several advantages over orthodontic treatment with traditional metal braces, such as:
The metal wires and brackets used with traditional braces can be uncomfortable and rough on the soft tissues inside your mouth, leaving sores on your lips, cheeks, and tongue.
Made of smooth plastic, Invisalign's aligner trays are gentle on the mouth's soft tissues and won't cause sores or discomfort.
Invisalign aligner trays are made of clear plastic. With a snug fit, they are virtually invisible during wear. As a result, you can discreetly make your way through your entire treatment plan without metal braces covering your pearly whites.
With traditional braces, certain foods (such as overly hard or sticky foods) must be avoided in order to prevent damaging your braces. With Invisalign, you can remove your aligner trays during meals which means you can continue to enjoy all of your favourite foods and drinks throughout your course of treatment.
When undergoing treatment with metal braces, it is sometimes necessary to refrain from participating in sports or other activities that can put you at risk of incurring an injury or impact to the face. This type of trauma or impact can damage metal braces and put your soft tissues at a high risk of serious injury.
Invisalign is safe to wear while participating in sports and other activities. In fact, like an athletic mouthguard, the clear aligner trays can even provide your teeth and soft tissues with some protection.
Metal braces come with a long list of oral hygiene rules and new tools to use in order to keep the braces and the tooth enamel behind them clean.
With Invisalign, you can simply continue following your regular oral hygiene routine, brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once per day.
Invisalign is recommended for adult and older, responsible teen patients who have minor to moderate orthodontic issues.
Since Invisalign's aligner trays are removable, it's essential that patients be committed to closely following their treatment protocol throughout the duration of treatment, which can last anywhere from about three to 18 months, depending on the patient. We recommend Invisalign only for patients who will responsibly wear their aligner trays for at least 22 hours each day because sticking to the treatment program is essential to achieving the desired results.
Additionally, we usually recommend alternative orthodontic treatment options to patients who have more severe orthodontic issues to address, as Invisalign is suitable for addressing minor to moderate issues only.
If you dream of having a straighter smile but don't want to undergo orthodontic treatment with traditional braces, then teeth straightening with Invisalign might be right for you. We welcome you to contact our dental office in Westmount, Quebec to schedule an Invisalign consultation and find out more about all of your teeth straightening treatment options. Our dentist can examine your teeth and bite and talk with you about your treatment goals and preferences before recommending the orthodontic treatment option that is best for you. To learn more, contact our office to request an appointment today.
Please call (514) 613-3332 click below to schedule an appointment online. We can't wait to meet you!
