Invisalign®
Frederick, MD
Crooked teeth do more than just affect the quality of your smile. Crooked teeth can impact your entire quality of life. When your teeth are crooked, you may be faced with issues such as uneven tooth wear, tooth damage, bruxism, and TMJ disorder. Traditionally, crooked teeth have been treated with metal braces. While effective, braces are very visible, which can cause self-consciousness. At Dental Arts of Frederick, we can correct the alignment of your teeth in a much more discreet manner with Invisalign.
Traditional Metal Braces
Metal braces have been the solution for crooked teeth for decades. This treatment uses metal brackets and wires to correct tooth alignment. The brackets are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth. The wire is affixed to the brackets with elastic O-rings. While effective, and still a popular option today, metal braces stand out in your smile. This visibility can make braces more embarrassing than having crooked teeth.
Discreet Treatment with Invisalign
Invisalign is an alternative to traditional metal braces. This treatment uses clear plastic aligners to correct tooth alignment. The aligners resemble tooth whitening trays or mouthguards in appearance. They cover over your teeth and practically disappear from view. In addition to near invisibility, Invisalign aligners are also removable. This means that they can be taken out and put back in at any time. It is recommended, however, that you wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day for the best results. Aligners should only be taken out to eat and to brush your teeth.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Before you receive your aligners, we take digital impressions of your mouth. These impressions show up on a computer monitor. With special software, we can see every step of your treatment from beginning to end, including what your smile will look like once your treatment is complete.
The impressions also enable us to create your aligners. Treatment with Invisalign involves the use of a series of aligners. Each set is made to be worn for two weeks at a time. Every set is slightly different from the one before it. The rigid plastic places pressure on your teeth, which then puts pressure on your periodontal ligaments. This loosens your teeth and allows the aligners to gradually shift your teeth into proper alignment.
Once your teeth are in optimal alignment, the aligners help to stabilize your teeth while the periodontal ligaments and jawbone heal around them. At the end of your treatment, you will be provided with a retainer to help maintain the results of your treatment.
Benefits of Invisalign
There are several benefits associated with Invisalign treatment, including:
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A more discreet treatment. The aligners are made from a clear plastic that practically disappears from view when placed over your teeth.
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They are removable. The aligners can be taken out and put back in at will. However, they should only be removed to eat and to brush your teeth.
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You can eat all of your favorite foods during your orthodontic treatment.
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You can brush and floss your teeth normally.
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Fewer office visits. You are given several sets of aligners at once.
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Treatment time is generally shorter. On average, Invisalign treatment takes 9 to 15 months, with most seeing results in less than a year. |
Learn More About Invisalign:
With Invisalign, we can help you to achieve straighter teeth, improving your smile and your oral health, much more discreetly than with traditional braces. Call Dental Arts of Frederick today at 301-732-7277 to schedule your consultation to find out if Invisalign is right for you.
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