You know Invisalign® clear aligners offer many advantages over braces, including their removability for hygiene and eating, as well as a nearly invisible look. But the positive attributes of Invisalign extend beyond these obvious superior features. At Georgetown Orthodontics, Dr. Maya V. Oliver and the team put together a list of eight awesome things you might not know about Invisalign.
1. You see results fast
Everyone’s teeth respond differently to Invisalign, but the average treatment time is about one year. Yet it doesn’t take that whole time for you to start to notice results. You’ll see changes in spacing and bite after just a few months, which can boost your confidence and assure you that you’re on the right treatment track.
2. Aligners are easy to care for
Invisalign plastic aligners are super easy to care for. You only need to brush them with a soft toothbrush and mild toothpaste. Often, just water is enough to keep them clean. You can invest in special Invisalign brand cleaning tablets, but these aren’t always necessary.
3. They’re made of special plastic
Invisalign aligners are called plastic, but they’re not made of just any plastic. The compound is known as SmartTrack®, a special medical-grade thermoplastic. The advantages to this special plastic are that it’s designed to go into your mouth and contains absolutely no BPA, BPS, latex, or gluten.
4. You might lose weight
Invisalign aligners are not a weight-loss program, and you can remove them eat and drink. But since you wear them 20-22 hours a day, they make it harder to snack between meals. You have to make a conscious decision to take the aligners out before munching.
5. Each treatment is customized
Before designing your plastic aligners, Dr. Oliver makes a 3D scan of your teeth. This imaging is used to create a customized plan and to create your individualized aligners, which will get you the smile you want in the most expedient and effective way possible.
6. Results show up faster than with braces
Not only is Invisalign more comfortable than braces, but the straighteners work faster — up to 50% faster in many cases.
7. You don’t have to visit the dentist all the time
Unlike braces, which require regular visits to your orthodontist to adjust fit and tightness, Invisalign aligners require infrequent trips to Georgetown Orthodontics. Of course the friendly team is always available should you have a question, but regular checkups for your Invisalign fit and progress are scheduled just 6-8 weeks apart.
8. Parents can ensure teens are compliant
Invisalign aligners are a popular choice for teens — as well they should be. They’re convenient, easy to clean, safe for sports play, and barely noticeable when you’re wearing them. But you may still wonder if your teens are really keeping them on when they should. Teens’ aligners come with blue compliance buttons that fade with wear, so parents can be sure their kids are wearing aligners as long and often as they should.
Invisalign can be an answer to a number of teeth complaints, including overbite, underbite, cross bite, open bite, and generally misaligned teeth. To find out if you can benefit from all these aligners have to offer, call Georgetown Orthodontics today, or book a consultation online.