12/06/2023

Is Invisalign Right for Me? Your Teeth Straightening Questions Answered

If you have crooked, overlapping, or even gappy teeth, you’ll need an orthodontic treatment to straighten your smile. Misaligned teeth can leave you feeling self-conscious, and put you at an increased risk of tooth decay and other dental problems.

Overcrowded teeth are difficult to clean. This means that plaque can build up in hard-to-reach areas, causing decay over time. Added to this, issues with the position of your teeth can cause jaw, neck, face, head, and even shoulder pain.

Invisalign is a great treatment for straightening your teeth. It uses clear aligners to gradually give you the healthy, straight smile you’ve always wanted.

Before signing up for treatment, there are a few things it’s helpful to know. Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Invisalign.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is one of the most popular clear aligner systems in the world. Loved for its comfort, convenience, and subtlety, Invisalign was launched over two decades ago, and since then, it’s been used to straighten the smiles of millions of patients.

This innovative alternative to fixed braces has some great benefits. The aligners are clear, making them virtually invisible. You can take your aligner out at any time, making mealtimes easier. And, they are so comfortable, they’re barely noticeable.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Much like other orthodontic appliances, Invisalign creates a gentle and constant force against your teeth. Over time, this constant pressure moves your teeth into a more desirable position.

With traditional fixed braces, you would have brackets and wires attached to your teeth. The wire is periodically tightened to increase the tension and progress the treatment.

If you straighten your teeth with Invisalign, there’s no need for adjustments. Instead, we’ll give a different aligner every two weeks. The new aligner is slightly different from the last.

What Can Invisalign Treat?

Invisalign can fix most mild and moderate orthodontic issues. It can straighten misaligned teeth, close gaps, reduce crowding, and improve the position of protruding or overlapping teeth.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

The exact length of your treatment will vary depending on the severity of your case. Some people only need to wear aligners for around six months, while most cases take between one and two years.

How Many Aligners Will I Need?

You’ll change your aligners roughly every two weeks during your treatment. The number of aligners will depend on your specific case. When we assess your teeth before we start, the software we use will plot your entire treatment plan. This will determine how many aligners we expect you will need.

During this initial assessment, we’ll also be able to show you what your new smile will look like after your treatment.

How Do I Clean My Aligners?

Cleaning your aligners is simple. As your aligner will be held against your teeth all day, it will pick up food debris and bacteria, so it’s vital to keep it clean.

Simply run your aligner under a tap, and use a soft toothbrush and liquid soap to clean it. You can clean it while you clean your teeth, but make sure you use a different toothbrush.