Chances are you’ve heard about Invisalign® as an alternative to traditional braces. Although these aligners are not the right solution for every orthodontic issue, they are a good choice for many. Treatment with Invisalign® involves a series of clear, custom-made aligners that change as your teeth come into alignment. People generally like them for a number of reasons:
• They’re not as obvious as traditional braces.
• You’re able to remove your aligners for meals and for brushing and flossing.
• If you’ve got a big event — a wedding, prom, etc. — you can remove them for a few hours while you attend, as long as you do so only for special occasions and don’t make a habit of it. (For optimal results, you’ll need to wear your aligners for a set amount of time each day.)
Invisalign® aligners work for many orthodontic issues such as overcrowding, teeth exhibiting overly wide spacing, overbite, crossbite, correction of teeth that have shifted after orthodontic treatment because the patient stopped using a retainer, and some simple bite problems. They’re not appropriate for serious malocclusions, however. If your problem is minor, you may be a good candidate for Invisalign®.
Once our orthodontist in Dallas evaluates your issue and determines that you are a good candidate for Invisalign®, he will take impressions and photos of your teeth, which will be sent to the lab that will create your custom-made aligners using CAD/CAM technology. This process will be repeated over the course of your treatment until your teeth move into the desired position.
Whether or not you’re a good candidate for treatment using Invisalign® rather than braces will ultimately be determined by our orthodontist, who offers both traditional braces and Invisalign®, as well as other treatment options. Bear in mind that either option may have to be preceded by other dental work such as removal of teeth (in the case of overcrowding), and/or taking care of other issues such as cavities or gum disease before corrective treatment can begin.
Ragan Orthodontics has a team of Invisalign® experts to help you out. Our offices are conveniently located in Dallas. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and get started.
