Many patients who avoided addressing teeth alignment issues in the past due to reservations about the treatment are now more comfortable with receiving care due to the invention of Invisalign®. This solution removes many of the disadvantages of braces, such as having unattractive metal on the teeth and limiting food choices. However, this option is new to the dental community and so raises many questions among patients. The first step to getting straighter, more attractive teeth is meeting with a dentist and getting all the essential information.
Many people are unfamiliar with clear aligners and how this newer alternative to braces works to straighten the teeth. However, understanding this treatment option is important for knowing whether this is a suitable solution. Here are three questions to bring up during the consultation appointment.
People with clear aligners should be adults or older teenagers who can stick to a routine. If wearing aligners consistently is a problem for any reason, traditional braces should be considered. Dental restorations can make wearing Invisalign® trickier, so this needs to be discussed with the dentist. Overly complex cases that are dealing with severely crooked teeth, large gaps, midlines movements, or extractions may be too complicated for clear aligners to address. However, most alignment issues can be fixed with this alternative.
To have teeth treated with Invisalign®, the patient must be mature and dedicated enough to wear the aligners consistently without taking them off for extended periods of time. When placing a set of aligners for the first time, the dental professional instructs the patient to wear the trays at least 22 hours a day. The additional two hours in a day are reserved for times when the patient takes off the trays to eat food, drink a non-water beverage, or clean the teeth. If patients neglect to wear the aligners at all other times, the teeth may not shift to the intended position and the treatment will be unsuccessful.
While clear aligners can be removed, making it easier to keep the teeth well-maintained, patients do need to add an extra step to their teeth hygiene routine. After waking up and before bed, the tray needs to be removed from the teeth and cleaned using a special solution or toothbrush. Consider brushing the teeth and trays in between meals as well. Attachments require extra care to remove food if it gets stuck.
Dental professionals are ready to answer patient questions about Invisalign® and the other teeth alignment options that are available. Have a list of questions ready before attending the consultation, including the three here and others you may have. As the process continues, more questions are bound to come up. Establishing open communication and making an educated choice for clear aligners over other alternatives is a strong way to start the journey to a beautiful smile.
Request an appointment here: https://www.mytotaldentistry.com/ or call McCarthy Dentistry at (740) 546-5178 for an appointment in our Marietta office.
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