Braces do incredible work straightening smiles, but some patients prefer something more discreet. In the last few decades, Invisalign clear aligners have been a top alternative to braces. But how well does Invisalign work, and what can Invisalign fix?
Ohana Orthodontics is a proud Invisalign provider, so we’ve seen the amazing things it can do. Are clear aligners for everyone? Not necessarily, but we can help you determine whether Invisalign is right for you!
How Does Invisalign Work?
What is Invisalign used for? Does Invisalign fix crooked teeth? Invisalign clear aligners are custom-created to repair all kinds of dental problems. The aligner trays are made of a special material nearly invisible on the teeth.
These trays are customized to your teeth and adjusted to fit your orthodontic treatment plan. Each set of trays (one for your top teeth and one for your bottom teeth) has slight adjustments that move your teeth a little more each time they are replaced.
You will go through several sets of trays during your treatment, which lasts 9-12 months on average, though it can last as little as six months. By the time you hit the last set of trays, your teeth will be straight and beautiful. That’s how Invisalign works!
How Do I Use Invisalign?
We will start you with several sets of Invisalign clear aligners, usually six or so. Depending on your treatment plan, you will change out your clear aligners every 1-2 weeks.
Keep your old clear aligners! They can be used if we need to give them more time or if you lose an aligner. We can put you back in the previous aligner until we can replace the missing one to keep your treatment on track.
The key to excellent treatment with Invisalign is compliance. For them to be fully effective, you must wear your clear aligners at least 22 hours a day. The only times you should remove them are for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing your teeth.
When you visit our office, we will check your progress and supply you with the next sets of aligner trays in your treatment plan. This will continue until your treatment is complete and you have your straight, beautiful, new smile.
What Can Invisalign Fix?
In the early days, Invisalign was limited to the milder dental cases. Over the years, improvements in the technology behind Invisalign have made it much more effective in treating various dental problems.
Today’s Invisalign can treat most cases that used to be restricted to braces treatment. This includes:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Gap teeth
- Crooked (crowded) teeth
- Open bite
What Can Invisalign Not Fix?
Only the most severe cases may still require braces. This may include cases where multiple serious dental issues exist or cases where the dental issues are extreme, such as a massive overbite or severely crooked teeth.
Teeth that come in above or below the gum line may also pose problems for Invisalign, which is generally molded to fit over the teeth and stop at the gum line. Other issues could include gap teeth from a cleft palate, which may require movement that braces can better provide.
Will Invisalign work for you? We will determine that when we perform a complete examination during your first visit to Ohana Orthodontics in Canby, OR.
Can Invisalign Fix Jaw Alignment?
Braces are known to fix jaw alignment, usually using rubber bands for braces. But is Invisalign bite correction a thing?
Yes, it is! This is one of the advancements clear aligners have made over the years. Invisalign trays can be made with “buttons,” small attachments that can hold rubber bands. These rubber bands can help realign your jaw and your bite.
This means clear aligners can now fix crossbites and misaligned jaws. These problems can often cause jaw pain, headaches, and problems chewing and digesting food properly. These are some of the many reasons why it’s important to address your dental issues as soon as possible, whether with braces or Invisalign. The longer you wait, the worse your dental issues will get.
Invisalign Treatment in Canby, OR
There is a lot Invisalign can do today for oral health, far more than most people think. We’re happy to answer your questions about Invisalign treatment, and we have an Invisalign FAQ that might answer some of them.
Remember, other great alternatives exist if Invisalign isn’t right for your orthodontic issues. We offer traditional metal braces that are smaller than the braces of the past. We also offer clear braces, a great alternative and more discreet than metal braces.
Schedule an appointment with Ohana Orthodontics if you need braces or Invisalign treatment in Canby, OR. We’re happy to help!
