A “Before, During, and After” Look at Invisalign®

If you or someone you know requires braces, you might want to consider an alternative that is not only convenient but less detrimental to your appearance and lifestyle. Old-fashioned braces have been largely replaced by the revolutionary clear mouth trays known as Invisalign®. This new treatment uses state of the art technology in creating tailor-made trays with precision. Moreover, this treatment does not interfere with eating and speaking as much as the traditional braces. In addition, cleaning, brushing, and flossing are made easier since they are removable.

Prior to Treatment

The first thing you should do before getting this treatment is to set an appointment with your cosmetic dentist. Assessing the extent of the misaligned teeth (or malocclusion) is important as this treatment is best for minor up to moderate cases only. Furthermore, your health and dental history will need to be reviewed and photos of your teeth and mouth taken. Moreover a 3D rendering of your teeth will be done to indicate initial and final positions of your teeth.

The Actual Treatment

The treatment will span several months to a year depending on the extent to which your teeth will need to be moved. It starts with getting a dental impression which will be used to create the mouth tray. This must be worn as instructed by the dentist and requires replacement every two weeks. The new tray will slowly move the teeth into the new location and, eventually, it will put the teeth in their final location. It is important that the patient is committed to the treatment otherwise it will be ineffective.

Post Treatment

Once the final position for the teeth is achieved, the cosmetic dentist will assess the new location. Some considerations for your cosmetic dentist include teeth distance, bite, comfort, etc. At times, it may be necessary for the patient to wear retainers to prevent the teeth from going back to the original position. Likewise regular check-ups are needed to determine if the teeth will stay in position. After the treatment, expect a better bite and alignment of the teeth.