Invisalign is one of the most popular ways to straighten teeth and fix bite concerns. The brand of clear aligners has grown in popularity over the years, as more people have realized how simple the treatment process is. Through the use of Invisalign, patients can improve their smile, oral health, and general confidence in their appearance. Board-certified orthodontists are dentists who graduated at or near the top of their dental school class and moved on to the orthodontic specialty, which requires another 2 to 3 years of specialized residency and training in orthodontics. That means that orthodontists focus 100% of their time and effort on orthodontic cases.
If you’re considering Invisalign then you may find this article to be helpful. We go over some common questions and answers regarding this orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign is a series of custom-made clear aligners designed to apply pressure on the teeth, gradually moving the teeth into the desired position over time. The clear Invisalign aligners need to be worn 20-22 hours a day to have their maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Dr. McMahon at Anchored Orthodontics directs the clinicians at Invisalign to create a custom treatment plan for each patient to achieve their smile goals.
No, Invisalign does not hurt. When a patient is first getting started with treatment, they may experience some mild soreness and/or tenderness, but that typically subsides quickly. As the patient advances in treatment by switching to a new Invisalign tray each week, there may be some mild soreness following the change, but that also subsides quickly.
Length of treatment varies for each individual case. While Invisalign can be an effective treatment for many orthodontic cases, it is not the most effective or efficient treatment for all cases. Treatment can last as few as a couple of months for mild touch-up cases, and up to 2 years for more severe cases. Visit Anchored Orthodontics for a complimentary consultation to go over your treatment options! During that consultation, Dr. McMahon will evaluate your teeth and provide an estimate as to how long your specific treatment would require. Note that the length of treatment is often dependent on compliance – while a case may only require 12 months with consistent full-time wear of the aligners, the length of treatment could be extended if the patient is not as diligent as the doctor recommends in wearing the trays.
No, Invisalign can be just as effective as traditional metal or clear braces if worn 20-22 hours per day as recommended by Dr. McMahon. While Invisalign is a great option that provides a more discreet solution to fixing alignment and bite concerns, traditional metal braces can be a more efficient way to complete treatment if the patient or their parents are concerned about compliance, as metal brackets cannot be removed. Dr. McMahon likes to say that with Invisalign – the patient is the driver; with traditional metal or clear braces, the patient is the passenger. Each person is different, meaning some may benefit more from Invisalign versus traditional braces, or vice versa. Ultimately, Dr. McMahon will be able to help the patient decide whether Invisalign is right for them.
Invisalign needs to be worn 20-22 hours per day. The Invisalign trays should only be taken out for eating, drinking anything but water, oral hygiene or the occasional special event. It is important for Invisalign to be worn as often as possible so that it can do its job of correcting the teeth! Invisalign is not magic and must be worn to be fully effective.
If you have any more questions about Invisalign, let us help! We are here to answer any questions or concerns that you may have about orthodontic treatment. Our team would also be happy to get you started.
Give Anchored Orthodontics a call at (612) 200-0020 to schedule a complimentary consultation at our Minnetonka office today. You can also request an appointment or schedule a consultation directly on our website at: https://anchoredorthodontics.com.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Invisalign in Minnetonka, MN.
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