Invisalign Clear Aligners Wilmington

Crowded Teeth

Many people’s teeth become more crowded with age. Teeth that overlap or are too close together are harder to clean, which can leave someone susceptible to a host of oral health issues like:

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Jaw pain
• Difficulty eating

Invisalign can straighten out crowded teeth, which can make them easier to clean and safer from injury.

Gaps Between Teeth

Large spaces between the teeth can happen due to the way the jawbones developed, especially small teeth, or childhood habits like tongue-thrusting or thumb-sucking. Closing these gaps with Invisalign can protect the gums from injury and prevent accumulations of food debris, which can reduce the risk of oral inflammation, infection, and injuries.

Overbite

An overbite is when the top teeth are positioned too far ahead of the bottom ones, which can lead to speech difficulties, uneven enamel wear, jaw pain, or problems opening or closing the mouth. An overbite can also leave the top teeth more exposed to injury since it leaves them in a prominent position that isn’t well protected.

Underbite

An underbite refers to when the bottom teeth are positioned in front of the top teeth when the mouth is closed, which can happen due to oral injuries, hereditary conditions, tumors, or prolonged thumb-sucking during childhood. This issue can increase a person’s risk of sleep apnea and make it difficult for them to speak and chew. While it’s usually easier to correct an underbite in a younger patient, it’s still necessary to address the issue in older ones. Treating an underbite with Invisalign usually requires the use of rubber bands or other attachments to gradually shift the bite into a healthier alignment.

Crossbite

A crossbite happens when the bottom teeth are slightly in front of the upper ones, and it is usually due to genetic conditions, poor oral habits, or premature loss of baby teeth. While Invisalign aligners can fix this issue, doing so may require the use of elastics or other accessories to help realign the jaw. An unaddressed crossbite can lead to long-term problems like gum disease, tooth decay, jaw pain, speech issues, headaches, teeth grinding, facial asymmetry, and diminished confidence.

Open Bite

An open bite is when the top and bottom teeth do not touch or overlap when the mouth is closed, and it is usually caused by poor bone development or prolonged thumb-sucking during childhood. This issue can make it difficult to speak clearly and puts excessive strain on the back teeth during the chewing process, which increases their risk of infection. Invisalign can draw the top and bottom teeth closer together, which can enhance the beauty of the smile and prevent infections and injuries.

There Aren’t Any Dietary Restrictions

While traditional braces come with a long list of dietary restrictions, Invisalign does not! There’s a simple reason for this: the aligners are removable. As a result, there isn’t the same risk of an orthodontic emergency.

With all of that said, we do recommend sticking to mostly healthy, well-balanced meals to prevent tooth decay from developing. It’s also a good idea to exercise caution with crunchy foods that could break an attachment.

Taking Care of Your Smile Is Easy

Another considerable benefit of Invisalign is that you don’t need to buy expensive dental hygiene products or adopt a cumbersome routine. Instead, remove your aligners, place them in their designated case, and brush your teeth as usual! Then, before you put your trays back on, use a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to remove plaque, food particles, and other debris from the surface.

The Average Treatment Timeline Is Shorter

Traditional braces usually deliver the desired results in 2-3 years, but what if you want your dream smile sooner? If that’s the case, we have good news: the average treatment timeline with Invisalign is much shorter (around 12-18 months). If you are interested in getting a more precise estimate, then schedule a consultation with us so we can confirm that you’re a good candidate and get to work creating your custom treatment plan.

There Are Fewer Follow-Up Appointments

With Invisalign, you progress through portions of your treatment at home, so there’s no need for monthly adjustment appointments! Instead, you’ll come to our office every 6-8 weeks so we can monitor the movement of your teeth and make sure you’re on track. So, if you are a busy student, parent, or professional, don’t worry – clear aligner treatment is quite flexible and convenient!

The Aligners Are Metal-Free

Of course, one of the biggest perks of metal-free braces is how discreet they are. But that isn’t the only one. Since there aren’t bulky brackets and wires, the teeth-straightening process is also considerably more comfortable. In fact, the aligners are custom-made to fit the contours of your teeth perfectly, dramatically decreasing the chances of you experiencing soft tissue irritation or mouth sores.

Wearing Your Trays

Naturally, your aligners will only work if you wear them consistently. That’s why patients are asked to keep theirs on for a minimum of 20 hours a day. When you first get yours, we recommend using the stopwatch on your phone as a guide. Once you find a routine that works for you, meeting the daily wear time will become second nature.

Cleaning Your Aligners

When you take your aligners out of their packaging, they will be pristine. To keep them that way, it’s crucial that you incorporate healthy habits into your routine, starting with rinsing them with water each time you take them off. You should also use a soft-bristle toothbrush and mild dishwashing liquid to remove saliva and other debris from the surface before putting them back on.

Eating & Drinking

One of the many reasons that patients love Invisalign is that they don’t come with the same dietary restrictions that traditional braces do. In fact, there’s really only one rule: you need to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. Instead of placing them on your plate or wrapping them in a napkin, put them in their designated case so they don’t get lost or broken.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Losing or damaging a tray can lead to significant treatment plan delays and additional fees. That’s why it’s so important to take good care of yours! With that said, accidents sometimes happen. The best thing to do is call our Wilmington dental office. That way, our cosmetic dentist can take a look at where you are in your teeth-straightening journey and determine if it’s safe to move on to the next set of aligners in the series a bit early.

Attending Progress Visits

Another crucial part of living with Invisalign is attending the progress visits. These typically happen every 6-8 weeks, and they allow Dr. Britta Lundgren to monitor the movement of your teeth. If you’re on track with your treatment plan, then she can provide you with the next several sets of aligners in the series. If that’s not the case, then she can determine why that is as well as what adjustments need to be made to your treatment plan.