If you never had braces as a teen, it is never too late to straighten your smile now. Invisalign is not only for teens but for adults as well. Invisalign uses a series of transparent trays to shift the teeth into alignment over a period of time. At the beginning of treatment, computers are used to design a series of trays, which are switched out approximately every two weeks, until your teeth are properly aligned.
Invisalign For Adults
Invisalign is a great choice for adults for various reasons. The transparent trays are practically invisible while in your mouth. Since many adults are self-conscious about having their teeth straightened, perhaps due to the outdated notion that misaligned teeth are a teenager's problem, the ability to improve their smile without drawing attention is attractive.
Invisalign trays are removable, so there is no need to adjust your diet for foods that are not permitted with traditional braces. You simply remove the trays for meals, as long as you wear the trays for 20 to 22 hours a day, most days, your treatment plan will stay on track. In fact, as long as you generally wear your trays at all times, aside from when you are eating, it won't cause any delays in your treatment to leave them out for some special occasions.
Never miss an appointment with your orthodontist. The appointments are quick and painless. Between appointments, you simply need to wear the trays as required and practice good dental hygiene.
How Can Invisalign Straighten an Adult’s Teeth?
For some people, straightening teeth is something that should be done during teenage years. In the past, people are hesitant to wear braces because it is uncomfortable to think that you will be wearing metals inside your mouth. Since Invisalign uses transparent trays there’s no more metals to worry about. Teeth shift and move throughout your life and Invisalign simply guides them into the correct spot. Who said adults shouldn't wear braces? Everyone deserves to have a beautiful smile and no one is an exception.
Why Straighten?
You may wonder if straightening your teeth is worth your time and money. There are a variety of reasons why you should consider straightening your teeth not just as an adult but a person who desires to have confidence when smiling.
Misaligned teeth make brushing and flossing more difficult to do. As your teeth shift, the spaces between some teeth may widen and others narrower. Misaligned teeth can also cause pain in your jaw and even wreck your teeth. There are also other issues that can result in long-term health problems if misaligned teeth are not treated as soon as possible.
FAQ: How Often Must I Wear My Invisalign Aligners?
Selecting an Orthodontist
Choose an orthodontist that you are comfortable to be with during your treatment period; someone you can freely talk about your mouth problems and your goals that you want to achieve. The Fredericksburg orthodontics office, such as Beecroft Orthodontics, which has the experience in treating adults, can help ease your mind and make you feel more comfortable during the straightening process. Not all Virginia orthodontics office specialize in adult treatment or Invisalign, so it makes sense to select a practice that does.
What To Expect
Invisalign treatment process has some similarities with the process of traditional straightening but also has differences in many ways. Your initial consultation will determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment. If so, the orthodontist will map out your treatment plan and use computer generated models to create your Invisalign trays.
Once you receive your trays, wear them as directed, as close to 24 hours a day as possible and expect to switch out trays every two weeks depending on your orthodontist. Do not forget to visit your orthodontist to check your progress. These visits are typically pretty quick and painless. Your orthodontist will take note of your progress, make sure you aren't having any problems and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
After Invisalign
At the end of your treatment, you will receive retainers to keep your teeth in place. It is important to wear these as directed or your teeth will begin shifting out-of-place. Generally, you will wear the retainer as close to 24 hours a day as possible. Retainers are a necessary part of orthodontic treatment, whether you choose traditional braces or Invisalign. Without the continued pressure of the retainer, the teeth will want to shift away from their corrected position. The more you wear the retainer, the better results you will have from your treatment.
Is Invisalign Right For You?
Invisalign can fix many, but not all, orthodontic issues. An orthodontic consultation is the only way to determine if your issues can be successfully treated with Invisalign. Although most orthodontic issues can be successfully treated with Invisalign, some issues may respond better to other type of braces.
If your orthodontist gives the go-ahead for Invisalign treatment, you still need to consider if it is the best choice for you. It takes a certain level of self-discipline to wear the trays as required for best results. Removing your Invisalign aligners always will only lengthen your treatment time so don’t take it off unless it’s necessary like eating, brushing and flossing teeth and even cleaning your aligners.
Financially, Invisalign is typically slightly more expensive than other traditional orthodontic treatments. However, with the variety of payment options available, it shouldn't be a major cause for concern.
Whether you are ready to begin treatment immediately, or just starting to explore treatment options, contact Beecroft Orthodontics for a consultation today.
Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr. Fredericksburg, Virginia
Phone: 540-898-2200
How Can Invisalign Straighten an Adult's Teeth?