Invisalign Clear Aligners Justin
A Faster Way to Achieve Straighter Teeth
Does the idea of wearing traditional metal braces for years sound unexciting? At ForestLeaf Dental of Justin, Dr. Zhang believes in providing an alternative solution – one that provides patients like yourself with a faster, more flexible way to achieve a straighter smile: Invisalign clear aligners. Contact our Justin dental office to learn more about these discreet trays so you can address your misaligned teeth once and for all!
Why Choose ForestLeaf Dental of Justin for Invisalign Clear Aligners?
- Accurate Digital Impressions Used to Craft Custom Aligners
- Dentist Provides Positive & Friendly Treatment
- Dental Practice Focused on Relaxing Care
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign consists of various clear aligners that are custom-made to follow your smile throughout its treatment. Each set of trays is to be worn 20 - 22 hours a day so that teeth will continue to move with the help of gentle, continuous pressure. After 1 - 2 weeks, you will swap out your existing set for a new one. Throughout treatment, you’ll be expected to maintain regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Zhang so that she can make sure your teeth are moving in the right direction.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
For decades, there was only one path to a straight smile: traditional braces. If you’re an image-conscious teen or adult, you’ll be happy to hear that’s no longer the case! With a custom series of clear aligners, we can correct mild to moderate cases of the orthodontic problems listed below.
Crowded Teeth
Do your teeth crowd together to the point that they overlap? If so, the unique crevices can harbor plaque, food particles, and other debris, negatively impacting your oral health in the process. If this sounds all too familiar, you may be wondering if Invisalign can fix crowded teeth. Oftentimes, the answer is “yes!” So, don’t just assume traditional metal braces are the only way to get the straighter, healthier smile you deserve.
Gaps Between Teeth
Unfortunately, even relatively minor spacing issues can have a negative impact on your self-esteem and oral health as well. That’s why we recommend scheduling an Invisalign consultation. The sooner you do, the sooner we can determine if you’re a good candidate. If the answer is “yes,” then we can guide your teeth into their ideal positions with clear, comfortable aligners. Usually, we can achieve the desired results in just 12-18 months, too!
Overbite
Although your upper teeth should sit in front of your lower ones, several problems can arise if they jut out significantly, including trouble enunciating clearly. So, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation at our office so we can explore your orthodontic treatment options! If we decide together that Invisalign is the best one for you, then we can bring your teeth and bite into alignment without any metal at all.
Underbite
If your lower teeth protrude beyond your upper ones, then you know all too well how difficult it can be to smile confidently and enunciate clearly. What you may not know, however, is that patients who have underbites are at a higher risk of TMJ dysfunction as well. For this reason, we advise against taking the “wait and see” approach. Instead, schedule a consultation with Dr. Zhang so she can determine if Invisalign is an option.
Crossbite
If only a few of your upper teeth sit behind your lower ones, then you may have a crossbite. Like the other orthodontic problems listed here, several issues can arise if it’s left untreated, including chronic jaw pain. Fortunately, Invisalign can often correct mild to moderate cases. If that’s the case for you, then we can guide your bite into a healthier position with clear aligners and any other orthodontic accessories that are needed, like buttons and rubber bands.
Open Bite
Is there a space between your upper and lower teeth that prevents you from biting down all the way? If so, you likely have an open bite. Since this orthodontic problem can lead to premature wear and tear on your teeth, we recommend coming to our office to find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. If you are, then we will get to work creating your custom treatment plan.
Benefits of Invisalign
Are you currently deciding between traditional metal braces and Invisalign? If so, you might find it helpful to learn why more than 17 million patients have chosen to straighten their teeth with clear aligners. With this in mind, keep reading to learn a few of the many benefits that come with this innovative orthodontic treatment.
Freedom to Eat Your Favorite Foods
Not only are the aligners metal-free, but they are removable. As a result, you don’t have to worry about a bracket breaking, a wire coming loose, or pieces of food getting stuck in your braces. Just make sure that you take them off before eating or drinking anything other than water. Outside of that, there really aren’t any strict rules! All we ask is that you exercise caution with crunchy snacks and limit your intake of sugary ones.
Hassle-Free Dental Care
Another perk of Invisalign in Justin: you don’t need to buy expensive oral hygiene tools. In fact, there’s a good chance that you have everything you need already: a soft-bristled toothbrush, lukewarm water, and clear soap. If you want to give your aligners a deeper clean, you can also use the cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit.
Important reminder: You should not use toothpaste, mouthwash, or bleach to clean your aligners.
Shorter Average Treatment Timeline
Simply put, Invisalign is a faster way to achieve a straighter set of teeth. After all, traditional braces often require 2-3 years, while Invisalign can produce beautiful results in 12-18 months. The key is following the treatment guidelines we provide, starting with wearing your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day, every day. If something unexpected happens, like you lose one of your aligners, don’t wait – call us right away.
No Monthly Adjustment Appointments
To ensure continuous pressure is placed on the teeth, patients with traditional braces need to commit to monthly adjustment appointments. With Invisalign, that’s not necessary because you can progress through several sets of aligners at home. Then, every 6-8 weeks, you’ll return to our office so we can make sure you’re on track with your treatment plan. If you are, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be in and out of our office in less than 30 minutes.
Basically Invisible Braces
Since metal braces are highly visible, daily wear is difficult, and even embarrassing, for some. Fortunately, Invisalign doesn’t have any metal components. Instead, the aligners are crafted from smooth, see-through plastic, which makes it virtually impossible for others to know you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. Not only that, but you’ll be able to watch as your teeth get straighter and straighter!
Invisalign FAQs
Does Invisalign Hurt?
This is one of the most-asked questions about Invisalign, particularly among patients who have had traditional braces in the past. The good news is that the clear aligners don’t have any metal components. Not only that, but they are crafted from smooth plastic, they are custom-made for each patient to prevent soft tissue irritation, and there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments. As a result, the teeth-straightening process is considerably more comfortable.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
The average treatment timeline with Invisalign is only 12-18 months. With that said, it’s possible for your orthodontic treatment to fall outside of that timeframe. For example, if you consistently misplace your aligners, then it may take closer to two years to achieve the results you desire. Conversely, if your case of misalignment is relatively mild, you may only need to commit 4-6 months to clear aligners.
Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Invisalign?
Unlike other orthodontic treatments, Invisalign in Justin doesn’t come with any strict dietary restrictions. With that said, there are some foods we recommend avoiding for the sake of your oral health, like taffy, rock candies, and peanut brittle. It’s also important that you exercise caution with crunchy foods (i.e., popcorn, tortilla chips, whole apples), especially if you have attachments.
What Should I Do If I Lose One of My Aligners?
If you accidentally misplace one of your aligners, retrace your steps, starting from the last place you’re certain you had them. Since they can easily blend in with their surroundings, it’s important to be very thorough in the process. It’s also important to look in the not-so-obvious places, like the waste bin, your laundry basket, and the center console of your car.
If your attempts to find your aligners are unsuccessful, then call our dental office in Justin. That way, we can determine if a replacement needs to be made or if it’s safe to move on to the next set in the series a bit early.
Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?
Yes, you can drink coffee throughout your time with Invisalign. Just make sure that you remove your aligners first! That way, they don’t stain, warp, or crack.
What Happens After Invisalign?
After we’ve guided your teeth into their ideal places, our focus will shift to keeping them there. The first step is to take impressions of your teeth so a custom retainer can be made. Once it arrives at our office, we will call you in for your “final” appointment, which is when we will make sure it fits comfortably. We will also share how often to wear it and how to take care of it so it lasts.
Important reminder: If you don’t wear your retainer as directed, you can experience orthodontic relapse (the phenomenon when teeth slowly drift out of place). So, it’s important that you make wearing yours a life-long habit.