How Invisalign Orthodontic Care Improves Smiles

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Female teenager holding Invisalign aligner in her hands while smiling.

Many people will receive orthodontic treatment during their teenage to adult years, and most of them will use some type of metallic appliance, like braces, to straighten their teeth. However, Invisalign orthodontic care eliminates the need for large, bulky braces by using clear, removable aligners to create a straight smile. Invisalign lets you eat what you want during treatment and clean your teeth without a problem since there are no wires or brackets. However, wearing an Invisalign aligner requires responsibility and consistency if you want to achieve the results that you want. Find out how you can qualify for Invisalign and what it can do for your smile with this guide!

How Invisalign Works

Millions of Americans receive orthodontic care each year, but most opt for traditional metal braces. While they’ve been around for a long time, these braces aren’t the only way you can straighten your teeth. While traditional braces use bulky and obnoxious-looking wires and brackets, Invisalign offers orthodontic patients an invisible way to get the same straight teeth without sacrificing their confidence. Instead of metal, Invisalign uses clear, removable aligners that are inserted into the mouth and worn throughout the day. Not only do they straighten teeth, but these aligners can fix bite problems just like traditional braces can, but nobody sees it do its magic. Invisalign aligners are made of smooth plastic and custom made with a 3D image of your teeth. From there, each aligner is fabricated and trimmed according to your specific gum line before being checked for comfort and quality. This process ensures that your treatment is personalized to your needs and that you feel comfortable and confident while you wear your aligners. 

Benefits of Invisalign

Young female field hockey player handling the ball during a game while others look on.

Other than the fact that Invisalign aligners are indiscreet and basically invisible, Invisalign is beneficial for those who live active lifestyles that can’t afford to be weighed down by bulky metal braces. For starters, you don’t have to avoid the foods you love that can’t be worn with traditional braces-all you have to do is remove the aligner before eating and you’re good to go! Since they’re removable, you won’t have to worry about poking floss around wires and brackets anymore, either. This also means that it’ll be easier to brush and floss your teeth since there’ll be nothing in the way. Your oral hygiene regimen will go from 30 minutes to just a few, giving you more time to do other things that you love. Invisalign only needs to be worn between 1-2 years, too, which means you’ll be done with orthodontic treatment as quickly as (or sooner than) if you had traditional braces. For those who play sports or live active lifestyles, Invisalign is a huge benefit for you, as well, as it’ll help you avoid oral injuries that typically happen when brackets and braces come in contact with cheeks, lips and tongues. Just take your aligner out before you play, and you’ll have the peace of mind that you won’t damage your orthodontic appliance. The same goes for musical instruments, so you can keep on making beautiful music without a bulky appliance getting in the way.

Importance of Practicing Good Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is just as important with Invisalign as it is with traditional braces, so make sure that you are taking care of your teeth throughout Invisalign orthodontic care. You still need to brush and floss your teeth each day, even if you’re tired or busy. You’ll wear one set of aligners for one to two weeks for 20-22 hours of the day, so it’s important to know how to handle them during wear. When you take them out, whether to play a sport or eat, make sure to put them somewhere that you won’t misplace them, such as a container. Aligners can easily be thrown away at the lunch table or broken if they find their way to the ground, so take extreme caution when taking them out. After brushing and flossing each night, you should also rinse your aligner out and gently brush it with a toothbrush to remove any food particles that may be in there. If aligners aren’t kept clean, the food particles on them can make plaque, which sticks to teeth and causes cavities. For this reason, brush them each night to prevent tooth decay and keep your aligners clean and shiny. Keep up with your orthodontic visits so that you can pick up your next batch of aligners and so the dentist can monitor your progress. These visits are important to keep your teeth decay-free and ensure that the aligners are structurally sound and working as they should. If your aligners become damaged or aren’t fitting right, make sure to contact your dentist for advice and an evaluation. He/she will be your best source when undergoing your journey towards straighter teeth.

Get Straighter Teeth With Our Help!

At Family & Cosmetic Dentistry of the Rockies, we offer Invisalign orthodontic care for both adults and teens alike to help them achieve their orthodontic goals. Whether your need orthodontic care that fits your activity level or you want invisible care for straighter teeth, we can help! Call our office today at (970) 223-8475 to schedule a consultation. Make the choice today and call to get the smile that you deserve!