Invisalign – Carlisle, PA

Crowded Teeth

 

Teeth that are too close together, overlap, or are tilted out of position can be damaged easily and create small spaces that trap bacteria. In other words, crowded teeth increase your risk of oral health problems, like cavities and gum disease. There is some good news: Invisalign aligners can carefully shift your teeth away from each other, giving you an even smile (sometimes in just 12-18 months too!).

Gaps Between Teeth

If you feel like the gaps between your teeth distract from your appearance, then don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation. That said, that’s not the only reason we recommend exploring your treatment options. Spaced out teeth also can lead to sensitivity, chipping, and breaking. Thankfully, we can bring your teeth closer together and eliminate these spaces with clear, custom-made aligners.

Overbite

Bite problems, like overbites, strain the jaw joints, which can lead to soreness, stiffness, and potentially even more serious problems, like bruxism and TMJ dysfunction. If your case is mild enough that it can be treated with Invisalign, then we will design a plan to address these issues with a series of clear aligners. That way, you can have a healthier bite and a better smile.

Underbite

Do your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones? This is known as an underbite and, unfortunately, it can negatively impact everything from your self-esteem to your chewing patterns. It can also take a toll on your quality of life overtime since chronic jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction are quite common. Fortunately, traditional braces aren’t the only option; Invisalign can correct more mild cases too!

Crossbite

Crossbites are when there is a mix: some of the upper teeth sit in front of the lower teeth, and some of the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. Unfortunately, even in mild cases, this bite problem can lead to serious consequences, including premature wear and tear on certain teeth and chronic jaw pain, which is why we strongly recommend scheduling an appointment sooner rather than later.

Open Bite

You likely have an open bite if your top and bottom teeth don’t meet evenly when you bite down because there is space toward the front or back of your mouth. The good news is that, like the previously mentioned bite problems, Invisalign is often a solution. If that’s the case for you, then we will create a custom treatment plan to bring your teeth and bite into proper alignment.

The Aligners Are Crafted from Smooth Plastic

Unfortunately, traditional braces can cause irritation and injury to patients’ gums, lips, cheeks, and tongue because of the protruding wires and brackets. Thankfully, this isn’t a possibility with Invisalign. That’s because the trays are custom-made from smooth, high-quality, low-profile plastic and are completely metal-free.

Tip: If one of your aligners has a sharp edge, give us a call! We can gently file it down so it fits more comfortably.

Discreet Trays

Another amazing perk of Invisalign is that the aligners are completely see-through. So, no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile during your teeth-straightening journey!

Keep in mind that it does take some work to keep your trays clear. That includes rinsing them thoroughly with clean, cool water when you take them out and brushing your teeth after each meal.

Simple Dental Hygiene

Since the aligners are removable, patients with Invisalign can brush and floss like normal. Plus, if you’d like to look your best for a big event, it’s fine to remove the aligners for an hour or so while you enjoy yourself to the fullest. Just remember to replace them afterwards. You can also keep travel-sized oral hygiene essentials, like a toothbrush and toothpaste, so cleaning your teeth and your trays is easy on the go.

Quick Follow-Ups

Invisalign patients don’t have to attend as many check-ins as patients undergoing traditional orthodontic care. In fact, there is usually only one 15–30-minute visit every 6-8 weeks! Of course, the length of your appointments and the frequency of your visits will depend on a few things specific to your treatment plan, including if your teeth are tracking as anticipated.

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

If you want to achieve a straighter smile as quickly as possible, then you’ll be happy to hear that Invisalign treatment can be completed in just 8-18 months (with the average treatment timeline being around 12 months). That said, the length of your plan will depend on things like how many aligners are needed and how well you stick to the 20-22 hour-a-day wear time.

You Can Eat All of Your Favorite Foods

Having removable aligners doesn’t just make brushing your teeth easy; it makes eating all of your favorite foods easy too! All we ask of our patients is that they do their best to stick to smile-friendly foods as much as possible and keep their intake of added sugar to a minimum.

Wearing Your Trays

With Invisalign, you can easily remove your aligners for meals and brushing; however, they still need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours each day. Failure to do so could set your treatment back from your estimated timeline.

Generally, the only time you should have your aligners out of your mouth is when you are eating, drinking anything but water, brushing and flossing your teeth, and soaking them.

Every one to two weeks, you will need to switch to a new set of aligners. The exact timeline for this will depend on your individual treatment plan with Dr. Flenniken.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Cleaning your Invisalign aligners is essential for keeping your teeth clean and healthy during treatment. It is important that you only clean them with lukewarm or room temperature water, as excessive heat could cause them to melt or warp.

Be sure to rinse your trays each time you remove them and before you put them back in your mouth.

To properly clean your aligners, they should be soaked in Invisalign cleaning crystals between 15 and 30 minutes at least once a day, or by using a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear hand soap. Dr. Flenniken recommends that you soak them during meals, so you do not spend all of your aligner-free time cleaning them.

Furthermore, it is important that you maintain excellent oral hygiene during treatment. You will need to brush and floss your teeth each time you eat and before you place your aligners back in your mouth.

Eating & Drinking

One of the best benefits of treatment with Invisalign is that you can eat or drink whatever you’d like; however, to do this you must remove the aligners from your mouth every time unless you are drinking water.

When not in your mouth, be sure to store your aligners in their protective case. This will protect them from damage and prevent food from getting stuck between your trays and your teeth. This can contribute to cavities and tooth stains. It is also important to note that though they are clear, it is possible to stain your aligners, so removing them to drink colored beverages is essential to keeping them “invisible.”

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Accidents happen, and occasionally you may lose or damage an aligner. If this happens, be sure to act quickly so as not allow your treatment to get off track. To ensure that you do not lose your aligners, always put them back in their protective case when you remove them for meals or drinks.

If you should accidentally damage or lose your aligner, Dr. Flenniken can order you a new one or he may instruct you to advance to the next tray ahead of schedule. This will depend on how close you are to your swap day and will be at Dr. Flenniken’s discretion.

Routine Check-Ins

In addition to Invisalign being more comfortable and easier to care for than braces, it also requires fewer check-ins with Dr. Flenniken. Typically, you will need to come in for a visit every four to eight weeks, however these appointments should only last about 15 minutes.

At this time, Dr. Flenniken will provide your next series of aligners and ensure that your treatment is still progressing on schedule.

What does Invisalign look like?

Invisalign doesn’t use any brackets or wires to move your teeth. Instead, clear aligners are worn over them. Although you can see the aligners while you’re holding them in your hand, they are very difficult to detect when they are in your mouth. Your aligners can stay discreet by caring for them properly each day and removing them when eating or drinking anything except water. Some patients require attachments, buttons, or elastics during the alignment process. Although they aren’t transparent, they are less noticeable than metal braces.

How long does Invisalign take?

No two treatment plans are the same, so there’s not a set timeline for Invisalign. After examining your mouth and creating your treatment plan, your cosmetic dentist in Carlisle will explain how long you can expect to wear aligners. Generally, it takes 12 to 18 months; however, several factors influence the duration of your treatment, like the complexity of your case. If you need to make major tooth movements or are treating both arches, you can expect to need more aligners. As a result, your treatment will take longer than a person who is only making minor adjustments. Patient compliance is crucial to avoid any delays while on your journey to a straight smile. It’s important to wear your aligners for at least 22 per day and change to the next one in the series on time. Don’t forget to maintain your regular appointments to allow your cosmetic dentist to monitor the progression of your treatment.

How are the aligners made?

Our office uses a digital impression system to ensure predictable results when choosing Invisalign. We’ll take digital impressions of your mouth, which work along with state-of-the-art software that allows your dentist to map the movement of your teeth. You’ll see each phase of your treatment and expected results to ensure you’re making the best decision for your smile. After the specifics are set, your aligners are created using a 3D printing process. It can take a few weeks for the manufacturing process to be completed. We’ll notify you when your aligners are ready to be picked up.

How do I clean my Invisalign?

Besides brushing and flossing, you also need to clean your aligners using a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear antibacterial soap. You don’t want to use any abrasive products, including toothpaste, because they can scratch your aligners and tarnish their transparency. Don’t use hot water because it can warp them. Invisalign also sells a cleaning solution that makes it easy to remove plaque and bacteria from hard-to-reach areas. Don’t forget to brush your teeth and floss before putting your aligners back in your mouth.