INVISALIGN®
Practically Invisible Teeth Straightening
A big smile and straight teeth can positively affect an individual’s confidence and well-being.
Invisalign® gives you a straight smile without the metal brackets, bands or wires! The removable clear aligner system uses smooth, comfortable plastic, custom-designed for your teeth. Around 60% of people report feeling that straight teeth make them more confident and happy. Using Invisalign, Dr. Glass can correct your smile with practically invisible aligners.
More and more adults are choosing corrective dental work and taking control over their own health. Invisalign is ideal for adults who want flexibility with their alignment procedure and want to achieve that improved smile without using a highly-visible metal brace. Glass Orthodontics is a Preferred Provider of Invisalign® and Invisalign® Teen.
What Is Invisalign®?
Invisalign® uses a computer-generated mold to create custom aligners to correct the alignment of your teeth and improve your bite. While traditional braces make use of fixed wires to “pull” the teeth into alignment, Invisalign® aligns the teeth by using a series of molds that, across a series of months, shift your teeth into their new and improved position. Aligners are much more comfortable because they use a more gentle force to move the teeth.
How Does Invisalign® Work?
After Dr. Glass determines you are a candidate for Invisalign®, we will start by taking a digitized impression of your teeth using the iTero® Scanner. This digital scanner takes a highly detailed impression of your teeth and gums so Dr. Glass can design aligners that fit your exact measurements. Utilizing high-tech computer software and your new digital impressions, he will map out the precise treatment plan for you to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Your Invisalign® aligners will be changed approximately every one or two weeks as you gradually progress through the treatment. Invisalign® is removable, but the patient must wear them 20-22 hours a day as prescribed by Dr. Glass to ensure desired results are attained.
What Can Invisalign® Treat?
According to many orthodontic experts, Invisalign® is the most effective treatment for most orthodontic problems. Some orthodontic problems, like severely rotated teeth, large gaps between teeth, and lowering or raising the position of teeth in the jawline, need specialized treatments or appliances.
Invisalign® is specially designed to treat most orthodontic problems:
Misaligned Teeth
Crooked
Crowded Teeth
Overbite
Underbite
Crossbite
Open Bite
Caring For Invisalign®
Caring for your Invisalign® aligners is pretty simple. The most important thing is to keep the aligners and your teeth CLEAN! Keeping things clean helps you reduce bacterial growth, maintain oral health and keep your Invisalign aligners invisible! Establishing good hygiene habits and a regular cleaning routine will help keep your aligners in peak condition.
Invisalign® Care Tips:
Wear your aligners 20-22 hours a day.
Always remove your aligners per your orthodontist’s instructions.
Always take out your aligners when you are eating or drinking anything except water.
Always put your aligners in their case when they are not in your mouth!
Always put clean Invisalign® aligners on clean teeth.
After eating, brush your teeth and rinse your aligners before you put your aligners back in your mouth. If you can’t brush your teeth, make sure you rinse your mouth out with water.
Do not use hot water on your aligners.
Do not leave your aligners in a hot car or anywhere else they might get too hot.
Do not use abrasive cleaners that might scratch or mar the surface of the aligner.
Do not soak your aligners in mouthwash. Doing so may discolor your Invisalign®.
Do not soak Invisalign® in denture cleaning solution as it is too abrasive. Use Retainer Brite instead.
Avoid a hard-bristled toothbrush. Only use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Firm bristles may scratch the surface of your aligners, making them more visible.
Best Invisalign® Cleaning Technique
Remove your aligners per your orthodontist’s instructions.
Gently brush your aligners with a soft toothbrush to remove any food particles from the inside and outside of your aligners. Non-abrasive toothpaste can be used for a more thorough cleaning. Be sure not to brush too vigorously, as doing so may scratch the surface of the aligner, making it more visible.
After brushing all of the surfaces, rinse under a steady stream of cool water.
After cleaning and rinsing, set the aligners aside to dry while you brush and floss your teeth. It is always advisable to put clean aligners on clean teeth. It is recommended that you use an antimicrobial mouthwash when using orthodontic appliances due to the increased bacterial activity in your mouth during treatment.
Once you have finished cleaning your teeth, you can put your aligners back on for the remainder of the day.
Benefits Of Invisalign®
Some of the benefits of Invisalign® include:
Invisalign® aligners are made of flexible, smooth plastic and are less irritating than metal brackets and wires to the soft tissue in the mouth.
The translucent aligner trays are barely visible, and most people won’t even know you are wearing them — a plus for self-conscious teens and adults!
Being able to remove your aligners allows you to maintain your normal diet.
Since you take out your aligners to eat and drink and brush and floss, it is much easier to maintain a good oral hygiene routine.
Without brackets and wires, your mouth is much safer when playing sports. You can even remove your aligners to play sports.
