Complimentary Consultation
Before you make a final decision on the kind of treatment and an orthodontist, you should do some initial research and set up a complimentary consultation with a certified and licensed orthodontist who is trained in the Invisalign treatment process. Not all orthodontists are trained in this type of treatment, so make sure you choose one with the proper experience and training. This is a major medical and financial decision, so you need to evaluate your options carefully.
At your consultation, the orthodontist will examine you, taking x-rays and photographs of your teeth and discuss whether or not you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment. At this time you should also ask any questions about how Invisalign works and the cost. Pick the doctor who not only has the right training but who is someone you trust. You want someone who you are comfortable with and who sets you at ease.
Customized Treatment Plan
Once you are decided on Invisalign and have chosen a provider, he or she will take impressions of your teeth and create a customized treatment plan for you. The doctor will create a digital 3-D image of your teeth and use it to map out the different stages of teeth positioning. Not all teeth are moved at once. Instead, your doctor will straighten a couple at a time. For adults, the treatment process is usually a year and for teenagers, it is the same amount of time as it is with metal braces.
Receiving Your Aligners
The next step is to get your clear plastic aligners that are made out of BPA-free plastic. Unlike metal braces, these will not cause irritation or little cuts inside your cheeks. Once you have your set of aligners, you will wear them every day. But what makes these braces so much more convenient than metal braces, is that they are easy to remove so you can take them off when you are eating and brushing and flossing your teeth. If you play sports and wear a mouth guard, you can also take the aligners off to make the guard fit better. You should wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day for the best effect so don’t leave them off for too long.
Get A New Set Of Aligners Every 2 Weeks
In order to improve the straightening process, your doctor will give you a new set of aligners every week based on your treatment plan. At each stage of the process, you will start to see your teeth gradually getting straighter, giving you a more beautiful smile. The Invisalign process not only allows your doctor to control the force placed on your teeth with these aligners but also the timing of it. During each stage, the doctor will concentrate on moving just certain teeth. With your treatment plan established in the beginning, you will know exactly what to expect each stage. If there is the need for any adjustments to the plan along the way, your doctor will communicate those to you. Sometimes your doctor will also add attachments that are like little ridges to your aligners to help facilitate the teeth-straightening process.
Checkups Every 6 Weeks
Your doctor will want to also have you come in approximately every 6 weeks for an evaluation to see how the treatment is going and if any alterations have to be made to the treatment plan. Sometimes you might need to wear a retainer at the end of the treatment to help keep your teeth locked in their new position. The retainers are made with the same technology as the aligners. Talk to your doctor about whether he or she thinks you need them.
It is also important to keep up with your regular teeth cleaning every 6 months to ensure that no problems crop up during the treatment process. Because you can remove the aligners while you eat, you won’t have to worry about food getting stuck in your braces like you do with metal braces, but you still need to make keeping your teeth clean and healthy a priority.
Maintain Proper Hygiene
During treatment and once treatment is done, maintaining proper oral hygiene is crucial for keeping your smile looking beautiful. Now that your teeth are straighter, you will want them to also be pearly white and healthy so brush and floss regularly and never miss a cleaning.
Get A Beautiful Smile!
Once treatment is complete, you will love your new smile and will love sharing it with the world. You will find that you will have a renewed sense of confidence as you face the world. No more hiding from the spotlight or from photographs. You will be able to show the world your beautiful smile.
Whether you choose Invisalign or not, remember that taking care of yourself is important. For once, do something for yourself for a change. You deserve to have a smile that makes you feel confident. Learn more about how Invisalign works, by contacting a local Invisalign provider.
