Achieve a Straight Smile Discreetly: Invisalign® Clear Aligners at Schaefer Dental Group
When you hear the word “orthodontics,” what comes to mind? Probably a young teenager whose teeth are covered by a latticework of metal. While traditional braces are still common, there now exists an increasingly popular alternative: Invisalign® clear aligners.
As the name implies, Invisalign clear aligners are made of almost invisible polyurethane plastic. Rather than being cemented or bonded to the teeth, clear aligners are completely removable—for important social occasions, for eating, and, most importantly, for tooth-brushing and flossing. Schaefer Dental Group offers Invisalign as a flexible and aesthetic orthodontic option in Lansing, Michigan.
Advantages of the Invisalign System
- Improved Oral Hygiene: Because the appliance is removable, you can clean your teeth and floss much more easily than if you were wearing metal braces, reducing the risk of decay and gum disease.
- A Discreet Look: The aligners are practically invisible, making them a suitable choice if you prefer your orthodontic treatment to be a private matter.
- More Dietary Choices: With clear aligners, you can remove them to eat any food you like, unlike metal braces which restrict hard or sticky foods.
- Comfort: The thin, flexible material will not irritate the soft tissues of the mouth, as metal wires and brackets sometimes can.
- Teeth-Grinding Protection: If you have a teeth-grinding or clenching habit, clear aligners can function as thin nightguards to protect your teeth from excessive wear.
Clear aligner technology has been improving and can correct many malocclusions, though some complex situations may still require traditional braces. This can be discussed in detail with you during a consultation.
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign clear aligners work by applying carefully controlled forces to teeth to move them into a better position. Here’s how it works:
- Treatment Plan: Specialized computer software is used to design a plan for moving your teeth from their current positions into the best possible alignment. This movement is broken down into a series of stages.
- Aligner Trays: For each stage, the Invisalign company manufactures a set of two plastic mouth “trays” or “aligners” (one for top, one for bottom).
- Wear Schedule: You will wear each set of trays for two weeks, for a minimum of 20 hours per day, before moving on to the next set in your series until your teeth are correctly aligned.
Invisalign for teens includes special “eruption tabs” to accommodate growing molars and “compliance indicators” built into the aligner material, which fade with wear, helping to ensure the trays are being worn as prescribed for successful treatment.
Caring for Your Teeth During Invisalign Treatment
Since the trays are removable, easy cleaning is a major advantage. However, proper care is essential:
- Brushing: 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 decay.
- Cleaning Aligners: Your aligners must be cleaned regularly by brushing them and rinsing them with lukewarm water.
- Retention: After your treatment is complete, you must wear your retainer(s) exactly as prescribed to protect your investment in a beautiful new smile.