If you are looking for a straighter smile, consider Invisalign®. In this blog, we’ll talk about what it is, how it works, and whether you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment at Sullivan Family Dental in Westwood, KS.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a teeth straightening treatment that is much less noticeable than traditional metal braces. Instead of metal wires and brackets, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners that are nearly invisible. These clear aligners are also removable, which means you take them out when you eat and when you brush and floss. You can also take the aligners out for special occasions, such as a job interview or wedding. However, you must keep your aligners safely stored when not being worn to avoid breakage and loss.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Custom-made to snugly fit over your teeth, Invisalign straightens your teeth without metal brackets. For best results, the aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours each day. Additionally, you switch your aligners out for a new pair every few weeks so you are constantly pushing your teeth into the right alignment.
Is Invisalign Right for Me?
Invisalign can correct mild to moderate misalignment issues, such as overbites, underbites, crooked teeth, teeth that overlap each other, and small gaps between your teeth. This orthodontic treatment is also used to fix crossbites (when the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth) and an open bite (when the upper and lower teeth don’t meet up correctly).
There are, however, a number of alignment issues that Invisalign cannot fix. These include raising or lowering the position of teeth in the jawline, fixing large gaps between the teeth, fixing a crooked tooth that needs to be significantly rotated, and correcting midline discrepancies that are larger than 2 millimeters. If you suffer from any of these alignment issues, then you may need to get traditional braces to straighten your teeth.
Clear Aligner Therapy in Westwood, KS
At your consultation, our expert team can determine whether you are a good candidate for Invisalign, or if your misalignment issues are more suited for traditional braces. So contact us today to schedule your consultation!
