Invisalign in Ontario, CA
Are you hesitant to smile in photos? Would you like to avoid bulky traditional braces? If so, you’ve likely heard of Invisalign®, an orthodontic treatment that first came on the market in 1998. If you want to improve your smile quickly and undetectably, this treatment option may be right for you. Invisalign is a type of clear aligner that can discreetly adjust your teeth to transform your smile into one you can show off confidently.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign® is a removable orthodontic appliance that offers an alternative to traditional fixed braces. Clear aligners like Invisalign are thin, clear plastic trays that are custom-made to move your teeth predictably. Made from a patented thermoplastic material, your aligners will fit snugly and comfortably.
Unlike bulky metal braces with a bracket and wire structure, Invisalign clear aligners are nearly undetectable when you smile.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Throughout your treatment, you’ll wear a series of custom-made aligners or trays that gradually shift your teeth into the proper position. These trays apply a constant but gentle pressure to realign your teeth. Depending on the severity of your case and your specific treatment plan, you will change to a new set of aligners every one to two weeks.
Invisalign must be worn for 20-22 hours to achieve the desired result. You should remove your clear aligners while eating and drinking but wear them as you sleep.
The treatment timeframe depends on your individual needs, but Invisalign treatment is significantly shorter than conventional braces. Some patients complete treatment in as little as six months, but you can start seeing results within weeks.
What Concerns Can Invisalign Address?
Invisalign can treat just about any common teeth-straightening concern, such as:
- Overcrowding
- Crooked teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Openbite
- Gaps in teeth
While millions of people have found success with Invisalign, some issues may require different treatments. These include:
- Severely crowded teeth
- Severe overbite
- Misshapen teeth
- Teeth that need to be raised or lowered
In these cases, we may recommend traditional braces or other orthodontic treatments to achieve your desired result.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Treatment?
You are likely eligible for Invisalign treatment if you have good oral and overall health. 15 million people—including four million teenagers—have used Invisalign to enhance their smiles. Compliance is a key variable in treatment with clear aligners, so the best Invisalign candidates will diligently follow the treatment plan and protocols. Keeping appointments and following guidelines for maintenance and cleaning are also essential for success.
Teen aligners come with a built-in compliance indication system so that parents can ensure their child is consistently wearing the aligners. A small blue dot at the back of the aligner is designed to fade as the child wears the aligners for the proper length of time.
Who May Not Be Eligible?
Healthy teeth and gums are required before clear aligners can be used, so issues like cavities or gum disease should be addressed first.
Invisalign is not recommended for smokers who cannot or will not quit for the duration of treatment. You cannot smoke while wearing the aligners since doing so can lead to decay and discoloration. Heavy smokers, especially, may compromise their treatment if they take out their aligners to smoke too frequently.
If you have been treated previously with a dental restoration, such as a bridge or a dental implant, you are not a strong candidate for Invisalign. Dental bridges hinder the realignment process since teeth are moved individually with the clear aligner system. Dental implants may also fail if clear aligners are used.
Some medical conditions and certain medications may make you ineligible for clear aligners. At your free consultation, we will examine your teeth and discuss your full medical history to determine your eligibility for clear aligners.
Advantages
Invisalign has been a successful teeth-straightening treatment for over 25 years, and for good reason. Patients are satisfied with the many advantages that clear aligners offer, especially compared to traditional braces.
Discreet
The bracket and wire structure of braces are easily noticeable. If aesthetics are a concern, Invisalign is a more suitable solution, as the clear plastic trays are practically invisible. Clear aligners are even more discreet than clear braces.
Removable
A key advantage to Invisalign is that, unlike fixed braces, the aligners can be removed for special occasions such as weddings and job interviews. You can even take out your aligners while playing sports and instruments.
Removable aligners also don’t require you to change your eating habits. With braces, there is a long list of foods that you must avoid to prevent the brackets and wires from breaking. Because clear aligners are not designed to withstand chewing force, you will remove them whenever you eat. This allows you to eat all of your favorite foods during your treatment.
Effective
Invisalign is an effective and reliable solution for fixing imperfections in your smile. A 2022 study of teenagers compared the efficacy of clear aligners and fixed appliances, concluding that clear aligners were as effective or more effective at treating common orthodontic concerns. For mild concerns, treatment with clear aligners showed significantly better results. Not only that but patients with aligners experienced shorter treatment timelines and fewer emergency visits. Fixed appliance wearers also required more overall appointments during treatment.
Efficient
Though typically not as quick as metal braces, Invisalign treatment is more efficient than traditional braces, making it an excellent option for those looking to quickly and discreetly transform their smiles. In the same 2022 study, teenagers wearing clear aligners completed their treatment approximately six months sooner than those wearing fixed appliances.
Depending on the condition of your teeth when you first visit Esparza Dentistry, you may experience a transformed smile in as little as six months with Invisalign.
Comfortable
Invisalign trays are custom-made for your mouth. They fit snugly against your teeth and are trimmed along your gum line, making them comfortable and aesthetically appealing. On the other hand, the bracket and wire components of traditional braces can easily irritate the soft tissues in your mouth. Not only can wires break and stick out, but the brackets can come loose and break. Owing to this framework, patients are more likely to need repairs.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
Maintaining your oral health is much simpler with Invisalign since you can remove the aligners for easy cleaning. Simply follow standard hygiene recommendations to keep your smile healthy and radiant. You’ll need to remember to brush after eating and clean the aligners before placing them back in your mouth, but once you establish a routine, this will become second nature.
With traditional braces, the brackets and wires are obstacles that make it difficult to clean teeth your teeth thoroughly. Special instruments like interdental brushes and flossers are often needed to get the job done. Even with diligent and meticulous cleaning, brackets and wires can hide food debris that can cause decay.
The Invisalign Process
Your journey to a beautiful new smile begins with a free consultation. At your consultation, we will evaluate your smile, perform an oral exam, and take X-rays. We’ll also discuss your medical history, desired results, and budget. If we determine that Invisalign will best suit your needs, we’ll take impressions and have your first set of trays custom-made at a dental lab.
When your aligners are ready, we will ensure they fit you properly and review care and maintenance guidelines. You may need a few days to adapt to your new aligners. While some patients experience a slight lisp, this will disappear as your tongue adjusts. You may experience slight pressure when you wear a new set of aligners. To alleviate discomfort, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen.
You will change to a new set of trays after a week or two, depending on your specific case. Throughout your treatment, we will monitor your progress. Every few weeks, you’ll come in for a checkup and pick up the next set of aligners in the series.
Invisalign Is the Clear Choice For Straight Teeth
If you want to transform your smile without calling attention to your teeth, Invisalign clear aligners may be right for you. With decades of success for millions of patients, Invisalign offers a fast and reliable solution for your dental imperfections.
You can trust the Invisalign-trained dentists at Esparza Dentistry to transform your smile. Schedule your free consultation today to discuss your treatment options with our caring and compassionate team.