You might have noticed some friends and colleagues seem to mysteriously have straighter teeth. If they haven’t let you in their secret, then it is likely to be Invisalign, an extremely discreet braces system that has already straightened the teeth of 2.5 million people worldwide. Invisalign is extremely popular amongst adults who wish to straighten their teeth without advertising the fact. In the past orthodontics used to be associated with children and teenagers, but nowadays you’re just as likely to find adults straightening their teeth at the same time as their children. Around 20% of orthodontic patients are over the age of 18.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign consists of a series of clear plastic aligner trays that fit closely over your teeth. The aligners are custom-made to gradually move your teeth into the correct positions. Each set of aligners is worn for two weeks, and they need to be left in the mouth for approximately 22 hours each day. Every two weeks they are exchanged for a brand-new set. Your Invisalign dentist in NYC will supply you with several sets of aligners at a time, although you will need regular checkups during treatment. Most people will need to use these aligners for 12 to 18 months, but the exact length of time required does depend on the orthodontic issues needing correction.
What Can Invisalign Do?
Invisalign is able to correct most common orthodontic problems including:
- Overcrowded teeth
- Overlapping teeth
- Spaces in between teeth
- Common bite problems including overbites, underbites, crossbites and open bites
- Misaligned teeth
How Do I Find out More about Invisalign?
The best thing to do is to book an appointment with Dr. Jacquie Smiles who is an Elite Invisalign Provider in New York City. She will fully evaluate your teeth and jaws, and may take x-rays, impressions and photographs of your teeth. If you decide to go ahead, these will be sent to the Invisalign laboratory to plan treatment and to custom make your aligners. One of the nice things about Invisalign is that you will be able to preview the results before treatment begins, using special software, and will see how your teeth should look at the end of treatment.
What Are the Benefits of Choosing Invisalign?
Lots of people struggle to keep their teeth and gums clean and healthy while wearing conventional fixed braces. This is not an issue with Invisalign as the aligners are removed whenever you eat or drink something, and can be taken out for brushing and flossing. It is extremely easy to maintain good dental health right throughout treatment. In addition, there are no diet restrictions as the aligners are always removed before eating. Treatment is extremely comfortable as Invisalign doesn’t contain any brackets or wires that may dig into the cheeks or gums.
Invisalign is every bit as effective as wearing conventional fixed braces but with much less hassle. Although the aligners need to be worn for most of the day, it is possible to leave them out completely for the occasional special event. In general, it’s best to wear your Invisalign aligners as recommended by Dr. Jacquie Smiles as this will give you the best results within the predicted timeframe.