Today, “braces” come in all different forms! This may be hard to believe, but gone are the days that there are only the traditional metal braces. Now, there are “invisible braces,” or Invisalign aligners, which are unique, clear plastic trays that are meant to gradually, straighten and correct teeth.
Who are invisible braces for?
Invisible braces, or Invisalign have advanced over the years and now are able to correct several types of orthodontic cases ranging from overbites, underbites, crossbites, gap teeth, open bites, and even crowded teeth. The first step is to receive an initial evaluation, which involves an exam by our orthodontic professional to see if invisible braces may the right treatment option for you!
How invisible braces work:
Following your initial evaluation, if our orthodontist feels that invisible braces would work well for your orthodontic needs what we’ll do is scan your mouth to create a customized, digital treatment plan showcasing a step-by-step transformation of your smile. There are no gooey impressions involved with the help of today’s Invisalign technology—something we’re sure you’ll be happy to know and appreciate!
After the treatment plan has been created, the invisible braces (aligners) will be engineered to fit firmly and tightly on the teeth applying the appropriate amount of pressure in all the right areas. Every two weeks or so, you will change out your aligners and transition into a new set, which allows for the movements of the teeth to gradually take place. Be sure to know that since each patient is different, the amount of “wear” for your aligners is different. In general, you can expect to wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day depending on the orthodontist’s discretion. Our friends and Midlothian, VA dentists at River Run Dental Spa express the importance of wearing aligners as much as possible to all of their patients.
Are invisible braces common?
Invisible braces are very common since Invisalign is vastly changing the way the world views the term “braces.” Ironically, because people usually cannot see others in their Invisalign (since they are clear) they may not feel that it is a popular treatment option, but so many people are receiving Invisalign treatment and loving its many benefits. This includes patients of all ages from teens to adults. To provide a perspective, over 6 million people, including more than 1.4 million teens have chosen Invisalign to transform their smiles, so you can too!
Benefits of invisible braces/Invisalign:
With Invisalign, life is easy and hassle free since the aligners are removable—one of the largest benefits. If you have sporting events, special events like weddings or family photos, you don’t need to stress out because you can simply remove your aligners during these moments. However, you should know that you should place your aligners on the teeth immediately following these types of events in order to prevent the teeth from moving out of place.
In addition to the convenience of removing your aligners, you can brush and floss like normal since there aren’t any brackets or wires in the way! Plus, you won’t have to worry about any broken brackets because there are none—This means no emergency trips to the orthodontist will have to be made. Invisalign may sound too good to be true, but trust us it is successful and you can count on our team to get you started with your Invisalign.
How should I care for my Invisible braces?
After receiving your aligners, you should make it a habit to properly brush and floss your teeth in order to prevent as little plaque as possible from sticking to your aligners throughout the day. Additionally, it is important that you clean your aligners regularly. You can do so by rinsing them every night with lukewarm water and brushing them gently with your toothbrush. Do not use hot water as this could permanently damage the plastic of the aligners.
Are you interested?
If you are interested in Invisalign (invisible braces), those of us at Richmond, Virginia Orthodontics want us to be there for you to help. Please contact our office as soon as possible so that we can set up an initial visit to begin your smile journey to a happy, new you!
