If you're ready to straighten your smile but aren't sure about traditional metal braces, Invisalign® clear aligners are an option worth considering. Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, removable aligners to gradually move your teeth into their proper alignment.
Because the aligners are clear and removable, Invisalign can fit more easily into many patients' daily routines. However, successful treatment requires more than simply wearing the aligners. Consistency, good oral hygiene, and following your dentist's instructions all play an important role in keeping treatment on track.
At Southard Family Dentistry in Jonesboro, AR, Invisalign is available as part of the practice's orthodontic and cosmetic dentistry services. The practice offers personalized Invisalign treatment and currently provides a free Invisalign consultation for patients interested in learning more about clear aligners.
What Is Invisalign®?
Invisalign is a system of clear, removable orthodontic aligners designed to gradually move teeth.
Instead of using brackets and wires attached to the teeth, Invisalign uses a series of custom-fitted trays. Each set is designed to make specific adjustments to your teeth. As you progress through the series, your teeth gradually move toward their planned positions.
Invisalign can be used to address many common orthodontic concerns, including certain cases of:
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Certain bite problems
- Teeth that have shifted over time
Not every orthodontic case can be treated with Invisalign, so an evaluation is important before deciding whether clear aligners are appropriate for you.
How Does the Invisalign Process Work?
The first step is an Invisalign consultation with your dentist.
During this appointment, your dentist will evaluate your teeth, gums, bite, and overall oral health. Digital scans, photographs, X-rays, or other diagnostic information may be used to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
If Invisalign is a good fit for your needs, your dentist will plan how your teeth should move throughout treatment.
Step 1: Consultation and Evaluation
At your orthodontic consultation, Dr. Heather Bond Southard will discuss your smile concerns and what you would like to change.
It's important to address existing dental concerns before beginning orthodontic treatment. For example, cavities or active gum disease may need to be treated first.
Step 2: Treatment Planning
Dr. Southard will create a customized plan based on your teeth and bite.
Unlike a generic set of aligners, Invisalign treatment is designed around your specific smile. The number of aligners and overall treatment timeline will depend on the complexity of your case.
Step 3: Wearing Your Aligners
Once treatment begins, you'll wear your aligners according to your dentist's instructions. Because Invisalign aligners are removable, you can take them out for eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing, and flossing. The key is putting them back in afterward and ensuring they are worn 22 or more hours per day.
Step 4: Progressing Through Your Aligner Series
Each Invisalign aligner is intended to make a gradual adjustment. Your dentist will let you know when to move to the next set and how often you should return for progress appointments. Your timeline may change if your teeth are not moving as expected or if additional refinement is needed.
How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?
Each patient's Invisalign treatment timeline will be unique to their smile.
Some relatively minor cases may be completed in a shorter period, while more complex tooth movement or bite correction can take longer. Your individual timeline depends on factors such as the amount of movement required, your bite, how consistently you wear your aligners, and how your teeth respond to treatment.
One of the most important things you can do to stay on schedule is to follow your prescribed wear schedule.
Missing hours here and there may seem insignificant, but inconsistent wear can affect how well an aligner fits and whether your teeth are ready to progress to the next stage.
How Can You Stay on Track With Invisalign?
The convenience of removable aligners is one of Invisalign's biggest advantages, but it also means you are responsible for wearing them consistently. Here are some practical ways to stay on schedule with your Invisalign treatment at Southard Family Dentistry.
Make Wearing Your Aligners Part of Your Routine
Try to connect your clear aligner wear with habits you already have. Put your aligners back in after brushing your teeth in the morning. Keep your case in your bag when you leave home. Make putting your aligners back in after meals part of your routine.
The less you have to think about it, the easier it becomes.
Limit Unnecessary Removal
You'll remove Invisalign aligners to eat and drink certain beverages and to brush and floss. But repeatedly removing them throughout the day can make it harder to achieve your recommended wear time. If you're constantly taking your aligners out and forgetting to put them back in, consider setting a reminder until wearing them becomes automatic.
Keep Your Teeth and Aligners Clean
Brush and floss your teeth regularly, and clean your aligners according to your dentist's recommendations.
Because the aligners fit closely over your teeth, maintaining good oral hygiene is especially important during treatment.
Don't Move to the Next Aligner Too Early
It can be tempting to move ahead because a new aligner feels comfortable, or because you want treatment to finish sooner. Don't give in – follow the schedule provided by your Invisalign dentist. Moving ahead before your teeth are ready can interfere with planned tooth movement.
What Happens If I Don't Wear My Invisalign Aligners Enough?
The success of Invisalign treatment depends on consistent wear. If you don't wear your aligners as directed, your teeth may not move according to the planned timeline. An aligner may stop fitting properly, and you may need to spend additional time in a particular stage or receive refinement aligners.
This does not necessarily mean treatment has failed. Your dentist can evaluate your progress and make adjustments when necessary.
The important thing is to communicate if you are having difficulty keeping up with your aligner schedule.
What Can I Eat and Drink With Invisalign?
One of the benefits of Invisalign is that you don't have the same food restrictions associated with fixed braces because the aligners are removable.
Before eating, you typically remove your aligners. Afterward, brush your teeth when possible or at least rinse your mouth before putting the aligners back in.
Water is generally the easiest beverage to drink while wearing aligners. Other beverages can potentially become trapped against the teeth beneath the trays, which can increase the risk of staining or decay.
What Results Can I Expect From Invisalign?
The goal of Invisalign is to create healthier-looking, more balanced tooth alignment and, when appropriate, improve certain bite relationships.
Treatment results vary because every smile is different. Some patients are primarily interested in closing spaces or straightening visible front teeth. Others may need more comprehensive orthodontic correction.
Your dentist can show you what your treatment is intended to accomplish and explain what you can realistically expect based on your starting point.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Finishing your final aligner does not necessarily mean your orthodontic treatment is finished. Teeth naturally have a tendency to shift over time. That's why retainers are an important part of maintaining your results.
Your dentist will recommend a retention plan based on your treatment and individual needs. Wearing your retainers as directed can help maintain your new tooth positions.
Is Invisalign Right for You?
Invisalign can be an excellent option for patients who want a more discreet alternative to traditional braces, but the best orthodontic treatment depends on your individual needs.
At Southard Family Dentistry in Jonesboro, AR, Invisalign is part of a comprehensive approach to dental care. Our practice combines orthodontic treatment with preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry, allowing patients to receive their dental care in one convenient location.
If you're considering Invisalign, Southard Family Dentistry offers a free Invisalign consultation to help you determine whether clear aligners are appropriate for your smile.
The first step is a personalized evaluation. From there, Dr. Southard can explain your expected Invisalign timeline, what will be involved in treatment, and how you can help keep your smile transformation on track!
