Comprehensive Invisalign Guide as Compiled by an Invisalign Dentist

After years of living with a misaligned smile, you’re finally ready to correct your dental imperfections and achieve the perfect smile. If you’re an adult or older teen, then there’s a high likelihood that metal braces aren’t on your list of preferred options. Many individuals seeking orthodontic treatment aren’t particularly enthusiastic about the “metal mouth” appearance.

That’s where Invisalign treatment comes in. Since obtaining approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 and its subsequent introduction into the market shortly thereafter, Invisalign has increasingly grown in popularity among patients seeking bite correction.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a series or set of clear aligners that reposition misaligned teeth to their preferred positions. Unlike conventional braces, which rely on fixed brackets held by metal wires, Invisalign clear aligners are removable. These clear aligners are also virtually invisible, thus offering great discretion.

Invisalign aligners are made from the patient’s dental impressions and offer an excellent fit and enhanced comfort. Invisalign can only be administered by a certified Invisalign provider.

The dental practice of Barry J. Cunha DDS offers Invisalign in Lexington, MA. Please reach out today if you’d like to find out if you’re an ideal Invisalign candidate.

Is Invisalign Right for You?

Invisalign treats numerous forms of dental malocclusion, including gap teeth, midline diastema, overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and crowded teeth. It’s an undoubtedly excellent orthodontic alternative for many patients. However, not everyone is a qualified candidate for Invisalign.

During your evaluation, the dentist considers the type and severity of your bite problem. The doctor also determines your ability and willingness to comply with treatment guidelines and your age.

Invisalign clear aligners are appropriate for older teens and adults who have undergone complete jaw development and can follow treatment instructions, including keeping the aligners on for a minimum of 22 hours every day. In cases of severe misalignment, the dentist may prefer more conventional routes, i.e., fixed traditional braces.

Heavy smokers need to be aware that smoking can stain the clear aligners, thus compromising the benefits of this treatment. Therefore, if you smoke and are looking to start Invisalign we advise that you consider quitting.

Ultimately, the most efficient way to find out if you’re a fitting candidate for Invisalign is to contact Barry J. Cunha DDS for a comprehensive consultation.

Personalized Treatment Process

To evaluate suitability for Invisalign, the dentist assesses the patient against pre-defined criteria, as elaborated in the previous section. If you’re a fitting candidate, the next step involves formulating a personalized treatment plan.

Next, the dentist obtains your digital dental impressions and shares these with the Invisalign dental lab. Then, over approximately four weeks, the Invisalign lab team creates your custom aligners while in constant communication with your dentist for updates and collaboration.

Once the aligners are ready, the dentist calls you back for a fitting and allows you to take the aligners home. You’re required to wear each tray for two weeks before switching to the next one in the series of aligners. Typically, Invisalign patients visit the dentist’s office every six weeks for progress checks and monitoring.

At the end of the treatment period, which ranges from 12 to 18 months depending on your needs, the dentist checks to see if treatment objectives have been met. If not, additional aligner trays, known as refinement trays, may be requested. If the outcome is as desired, you’ll receive a custom retainer to ensure the teeth retain their new positions.

Advantages of Invisalign

Invisalign is miles ahead of other orthodontic treatments. Some key benefits of Invisalign include:

• Invisalign aligners are invisible and perfect for adults seeking discreet orthodontic treatment.
• Invisalign doesn’t involve significant disruptions to your diet or lifestyle. You can easily pop out the aligners when you need to eat, brush your teeth, etc.
• Invisalign aligners are custom-made from smooth proprietary plastic, making them remarkably comfortable.
• Patients require fewer visits to the dentist.

Are You Ready for Invisalign?

Are you ready to experience and enjoy the numerous benefits of Invisalign treatment? Reach out to Barry J Cunha, DDS, to speak to a certified Invisalign provider.