Invisalign Treatment Harrisonburg, VA

Invisalign Clear Aligners Harrisonburg, VA

As the name implies, Invisalign clear aligners are made of almost invisible polyurethane plastic. Rather than being cemented or bonded to the teeth as metal or clear braces are, clear aligners are completely removable — for important social occasions, for eating, and, most importantly, for tooth-brushing and flossing. This advantage can also be a disadvantage: It means you must resist the temptation to take your aligners out more than is advised.

Here are some other advantages of the Invisalign system:

Improved Oral Hygiene

With a Harrisonburg orthodontic appliance that is removable, you will be able to clean your teeth much more easily than if you were wearing metal braces.

A Discreet Look

If you consider your orthodontic treatment to be a private matter, or simply feel that metal braces don't fit with your self-image, a practically invisible form of orthodontic treatment might suit you.

More Dietary Choices

To protect metal wires and braces, some diet modifications are necessary. With clear aligners, you can still bite into an apple or a crispy pizza crust.

Comfort

The soft, flexible material of which Invisalign aligners are made will not irritate the soft tissues of the mouth, as metal wires and braces can.

Teeth-Grinding Protection

If you have a teeth-grinding or clenching habit, clear aligners can function as thin nightguards that will protect your teeth from excessive wear.

Harrisonburg Clear aligner technology has been improving over the years and can correct many malocclusions that once would have been too complicated for this form of treatment. Yet there are still some situations for which traditional braces would still be best. We would be happy to discuss this in detail with you.

How Invisalign Treatment Works

Harrisonburg Invisalign clear aligners work the same way traditional braces do: by applying carefully controlled forces to teeth to move them into a better position. But they are not made of metal; instead, they are made of clear, flexible plastic.

Harrisonburg Invisalign clear aligners

Here’s how it works:

Specialized computer software helps us design a plan for moving your teeth from their current positions into the best possible alignment. This movement will be broken down into perhaps several dozen stages. For each stage, the Invisalign company will manufacture two plastic mouths “trays” or “aligners,” one to fit over your top teeth and one for the bottom. You will wear this first set of trays for two weeks, for a minimum of 20 hours per day. You will then move on to the next set of aligners in your series to accomplish the next stage of gradual movement. You will keep doing this until your teeth are correctly aligned.

In the past several years, two features have been added to make Invisalign a more appropriate Harrisonburg orthodontic treatment method for teenagers. Special “eruption tabs” hold the appropriate amount of space open for molars that have not fully grown in. Invisalign for teens also comes with “compliance indicators” built into the aligner material, which fade with wear. This allows parents, dentists, and the teens themselves, to make sure the trays are being worn as prescribed. Harrisonburg Invisalign Treatment can only be successful if this is the case.

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Caring for Your Teeth

As mentioned above, one of the main advantages of the Invisalign system is that the trays can be removed for easy cleaning. So please don’t neglect to do this! You’ll need to brush your teeth after every meal or snack so that food and plaque do not get trapped in the aligners, which could promote tooth decay and gum disease. Your aligners, too, will have to be cleaned regularly; you can do this by brushing them and then rinsing them with lukewarm water.

Also, please keep in mind that while wearing clear aligners is very different from wearing braces, the importance of retaining your post-treatment results is exactly the same. You’ll want to be sure to wear your retainer(s) exactly as prescribed after your treatment is completed to protect your investment in a beautiful new smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Invisalign clear aligners are one of the many alternatives available to patients who wish to realign their teeth but fear how they might look with traditional metal braces. These BPA-free plastic aligners help gradually push your teeth until they reach the ideal alignment. Make sure you consult with your orthodontist about your eligibility for Invisalign clear aligners as an alternative to conventional metal braces.

We have to start with a detailed scan of your mouth to create a digital model that will work as the basis of the aligner design you’ll be using for your treatment. These aligners are premade BPA-free plastic trays that we cannot adjust as we would traditional braces, so what we do is use aligners to push your teeth by stages and give you several aligners that you’ll progress through until you reach the ideal alignment.

Invisalign is a bit more expensive than conventional metal braces, but the added comfort and potentially faster treatment time are well worth it for many patients. You’ll have to consult directly with your orthodontist to get a better estimate, as there are many factors that can modify your treatment cost.

There’s no straightforward answer here because everyone’s treatment will be different. Clear aligners can potentially deliver results much faster, but we’ll need to go from that initial consultation before we can share any estimates regarding your treatment length. You’ll also want to pay close attention to the instructions your orthodontist gives to avoid orthodontic emergencies or accidents that could result in unwanted delays.

The main disadvantage of Invisalign clear aligners is that they’re not able to fix the more complex orthodontic issues faced by some patients. However, considering that these cases are few and far between, chances are you’ll get to enjoy the many advantages of clear aligners without worrying about their efficiency. Another problem with removable orthodontic appliances is that some patients could misplace or lose them when they take them off. Please remember to carry their protective case at all times to store them safely.

The best way to keep your Invisalign clear aligners clean is to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and liquid soap. Rinse them under cold water to remove any leftover food pieces or saliva before either storing or putting them back in your mouth to save yourself the trouble of having to deal with bad breath during your orthodontic treatment.

Since you’ll be using removable orthodontic appliances, you won’t have much trouble sticking to your already great oral hygiene routine. Just take off the trays and continue to brush your teeth after every meal, including snacks. Also, use dental floss at least once a day because you won’t have to maneuver around any metal brackets or wires.