If your teeth could use an adjustment, but you don’t want to commit to traditional braces, Invisalign could be right for you. It’s a customized tray-based system designed to straighten your teeth without anyone being the wiser. So many people have discovered the joy of this treatment, and Central Texas Orthodontics in Austin, Texas is proud to offer it as a smile-enhancing service. If your smile could use a little uplift, why not try out this treatment? You could be very pleasantly surprised by the results.
How Long Does It Take Invisalign to Work?
Everyone is different, but it generally takes between a year to a year-and-a-half for this treatment to fully do its job. This timeline all depends on the state of your teeth, and some people even start to see results far sooner. Some people see them in a few short weeks, although this is not common and shouldn’t be expected from most patients.
Our staff will talk to you about what you should reasonably look forward to and set all of your expectations right away. We will also set up a treatment and check-up plan to make sure that everything is moving along right on track.
What Does the Treatment Entail?
Essentially, this treatment involves several sets of clear liners that you can put in and take out. Since they’re totally transparent, it’s not immediately apparent that you are having work done on your teeth. The trays are made specifically for each patient, using 3D technology. This way, they perfectly fit right onto your teeth and will move your teeth into their desired places over time. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment when it comes to dental care, which is why we take specific care to ensure that your trays are accomplishing your unique goals.
It all starts off with a consultation, where our team looks at your existing teeth configuration and makes recommendations for care. We set up a personal plan and let you know how you can best maintain your trays for the most effective use. Traditionally, people wear them at least 20 hours a day, only taking them out to drink, eat, and brush their teeth. The initial trays are just the first ones in a set, and as your teeth gradually move, you will change them to different trays. Each set of trays is designed to accomplish one purpose; move your teeth little by little.
What Can I Expect?
This treatment is designed to be very comfortable. Unlike traditional braces, which can cut up and hurt the inside of your lips and gums, Invisalign trays are flexible and made out of plastic. It is very unlikely that they will cut you, and the trays themselves are fully FDA, or Federal Drug Administration, approved and don’t have any additives or toxins that can seep into your body. They are perfectly safe and very easy to use.
What Are The Benefits?
The benefits of this treatment over traditional braces are numerous. Namely, you can remove your trays for drinking, eating, dental care, or even for special occasions. As long as you keep them in regularly and use them consistently, you shouldn’t have much of a problem with getting the results that you want. They won’t hurt your mouth like traditional braces. Perhaps, best of all, you can actually see the progress being made as this treatment works its magic on your mouth.
Since you can remove them before brushing and flossing, you don’t have to worry about discolored teeth once your treatment plan is complete. Often, people will get white squares on their teeth where their braces were, with yellowish coloring around them. It can be unsightly and necessitate many teeth whitening visits. These aligners are very easy to clean, and most people have uniform coloration on their teeth once they’re done.
Who Can Get This Treatment?
Virtually anyone can get this treatment. It’s especially good for children, many of whom experience discomfort with traditional braces and dislike the look of having a “metal mouth.” Adults can also get these treatments. If you have always wanted to get your teeth fixed but feel like you’re too old for traditional braces, this treatment could be exactly what you’ve been looking for. Since you have the flexibility and option to take out the trays as needed, you can really control the speed of your treatment. Also, it’s a great treatment for both minor and major dental issues, including overbites or teeth crowding.
Although anyone can get this treatment, it does differ from person to person. Talk to our team to learn about what options you have, and let us put together a customized plan for you to be able to get the smile of your dreams without the traditional discomfort of braces.
Can You Switch From Invisalign to Traditional Braces?
If you have traditional braces already, you can switch to Invisalign Austin TX fairly easily. All you need to do is make a plan to remove the braces and begin on your new treatment plan. You might experience a difference in the costs, and you may need to go through a few extra steps, like whitening your teeth. Still, most people think that it’s worth it to make the adjustment because they’re ultimately happier with their trays than with their traditional braces.
Ways to Improve the Results
There are several ways that you can make the most of your treatment plan. The first one is simple; make sure that you keep your trays in for as long as possible every day. Just because you can remove them doesn’t mean that you should. You should try to keep the aligners in for at least 20 hours over the course of your day, only taking them out for special occasions, to eat or drink, or to floss and brush your teeth. The most critical time to keep your trays in is when you first get them, as they are conforming to your teeth and settling in.
Over time you should notice your trays less and less. They will become more a part of your daily routine and much less of a hindrance. You’ll get much more comfortable speaking to others while wearing them, and you will barely even notice them when you flash yourself a smile in the bathroom. Another way that you can ensure that your experience is as positive as possible is to practice regular dental care. Remember to floss and brush every single day. As your teeth shift and move, it’s more important than ever to remove any food particles from between them. You’ll avoid cavities and get a great smile!
You Might Experience Whiter Teeth
A huge perk of this treatment that many people simply don’t consider is that you could get whiter teeth out of the bargain. Although the initial goal of this treatment is to give you straighter teeth or correct any dental issues, the trays can double as barriers that protect your teeth from staining elements. The trays are literally plastic coatings on your teeth, shielding them from general wear and tear. If you want to maximize the whitening potential of this treatment, invest in good whitening toothpaste. The trays will keep the active ingredients on your teeth, and they’ll work for hours.
Not only can this give you whiter teeth, but it can also prevent cavities. Fluoride is an active ingredient in many whitening toothpastes and can stop cavities in their tracks. While traditional braces can trap particles of food and actually even cause cavities or other dental problems, you remove your trays to eat and drink with Invisalign. This means that there’s no place for the food to go, and your teeth are clean and clear of any particles by the time you put your trays back in. Get even better effects by brushing your teeth immediately after eating, so there’s no chance that food can get trapped in the trays.
Other Ways to Get Glowing Teeth
Although it’s advisable to not engage in whitening treatments until your treatment is done, there are still other ways that you can preserve your dental health while you are waiting for your glowing new smile. Make a habit of brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash after eating and drinking. This will remove any surface particles from your teeth and also get at invisible deposits of food that might be hiding out in-between teeth. It eliminates the chance that you could be trapping food between your trays and teeth. Also, if you use whitening toothpaste, it will allow the ingredients to keep working for longer.
Limit your intake of stain-causing foods like coffee, tea, and red wine. If you love drinking your coffee in the morning, consider adding milk to it or even sipping iced coffee through a straw. Generally speaking, any food that can stain a white t-shirt can stain your teeth, so limit your intake of foods like curry sauce, BBQ sauce, tomatoes, beets, or cherries. You don’t have to banish these foods from your diet forever; just make sure that you brush right afterward.
Keep Your Aligners Clean
Wash your aligners regularly and take good care of them to avoid discoloration. Don’t put your trays back into your mouth if you haven’t brushed your teeth beforehand, and don’t drink or eat anything with them inside of your mouth, especially if it’s food or drinks that can stain your teeth. If you smoke, avoid smoking with the aligners in your mouth. Doing so will give them a yellowish tinge and make them far more noticeable.
If you have any questions about how to care for your aligners, make sure that you talk to our team. We are happy to walk you through all of the steps of cleaning your aligners properly and making sure that they look as good as possible while they are in your mouth. By simply following these steps, you can keep your aligners in the long run, and nobody needs to know that you are even wearing them.
Get the Smile of Your Dreams Today
If you have always wanted to get the smile of your dreams but don’t want to go through the pain or hassle of getting traditional braces, we can help. There are so many new options that can truly give you the look that you want and deserve. A beautiful smile transforms your face like nothing else in the world, so let us help you get there. We offer no-pressure consultations where you can review your options and figure out if Invisalign Austin is right for you.
Our team is friendly, family-focused, and believes in the white-glove treatment for all of our patients. Get started now. Call Central Texas Orthodontics
in Austin, Texas, at 512-292-1910 for the consultation that could change your life for the better today!
