You’re never too old to start straightening your smile. In fact, 4 million people in the US already wear braces. About 25% of those patients are adults. Did you know teens and adults with straighter teeth have reported having enjoyed more self-confidence, more promotions, and higher pay. So it pays in the long term to have straight teeth.
You’re no longer limited to traditional metal braces for orthodontic treatment, though. Instead, consider visiting your Katy, TX Invisalign provider. Invisalign clear aligners can straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.
How does Invisalign work, exactly? Keep reading our Invisalign Katy, TX guide to find out!
After reading this guide, you can determine if Invisalign treatment is ideal for your needs. Then, you can straighten your teeth and start grinning from ear to ear.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about Invisalign clear aligners today!
Your Consultation Appointment
First, contact top dentists in Katy, TX, for Invisalign treatment. Schedule a consultation appointment with your dentist. They’ll determine if you’re an ideal candidate for treatment.
Most Katy, TX Invisalign patients, have orthodontic issues like:
- Overcrowding
- Open bites
- Gapped teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
Your dentist will review your oral health and orthodontic needs. Not everyone is an ideal candidate for orthodontic treatment. If you have more severe issues, your dentist might recommend another alternative to braces.
For example, Invisalign isn’t ideal if you have severely rotated or angled teeth. You might need braces or other treatment options.
Once you visit your Invisalign Katy, TX dentist, you can develop a customized treatment plan.
If your dentist determines you’re an ideal candidate for Invisalign, ask, “how does Invisalign work?” They can walk you through the rest of the treatment.
The Benefits
Before starting treatment, talk to your Katy, TX Invisalign provider about the benefits of Invisalign.
For starters, you won’t have to wear traditional metal braces. You won’t need to place metal brackets on your teeth. Some patients find metal wires and brackets unseemly and uncomfortable.
One of the main benefits of Invisalign clear aligners is that they’re discrete. They also don’t have the metallic iron kind of taste that braces patients complain to have. This also affects how food tastes and may create discomfort in food satisfaction levels.
The aligners are designed to fit around your teeth. They’re created using subtle, clear plastic. Most people won’t realize you’re wearing your aligners.
You won’t have to feel self-conscious during the course of your treatment.
Starting Invisalign treatment can benefit your overall oral health. For starters, you can close gaps between your teeth. Otherwise, these gaps could give food particles more places to hide.
When food particles get trapped between your teeth, plaque can form. Plaque is a clear, sticky substance that clings to the surface of your teeth. Plaque can release acid and cause tooth decay.
Your risk of cavities could increase.
When food particles hide away and cause plaque, your risk of gum disease will increase as well. Gum disease symptoms include:
- Loose teeth
- Bleeding gums
- Swollen gums
- Sensitivity
- Pus forming between your gums and teeth
- Foul-smelling breath
- Pain when chewing
- Receding gums
- A change in how your teeth fit together
If these symptoms sound familiar, seek gingivitis treatment. Talk to your dentists in Katy, TX, for Invisalign, too.
You can close the gaps between your teeth to avoid future problems.
Once you complete your Invisalign treatment, you can enjoy the benefits of having straight teeth. You can start grinning with renewed confidence. You might feel more comfortable in social settings as a result.
Creating Your Aligners
If your Katy, TX Invisalign provider determines you’re an ideal candidate, they can start the treatment process.
First, they’ll need to take dental X-rays and scans of your teeth. The 3D replica they create will help them create an accurate impression of your teeth. Out practice is one amount the few in Houston that can create a smile simulation to simulate what your new smile will look at; this is cutting-edge technology.
Your dentist might use a handheld wand and direct it over your mouth. Then, they’ll create a model of your teeth and gums.
Some dentists use molds to create impressions instead.
The model will ensure they create your Invisalign clear aligners properly. Your aligners are custom-made to fit around your teeth.
During your consultation appointment, ask your dentist if you can see an image of your future smile. They’ll help you visualize what your teeth will look like after treatment.
Once your dentist has the scans, they can send the files to the Invisalign website. Then, technicians will create your custom aligners.
Receiving Your Aligners
You’ll need to visit your Invisalign Katy, TX dentist to receive your aligners later. They might add buttons to your teeth as well. Buttons are tooth-colored bumps created from composite resin.
They’re designed to hold your aligners in place.
Once you receive your aligners, you’ll need to wear them between 20 and 22 hours each day.
The Treatment Process
Talk to your dentist about how Invisalign treatment works.
You’ll receive a new pair of Invisalign clear aligners every week or two weeks. How many aligners you need varies based on your orthodontic issues. Ask your dentist how long your treatment will take, too.
You can take your aligners out to brush, floss, eat, and drink. After meals, make sure to brush and floss. Then, place your aligners back in.
If you fail to place your aligners back in after meals, you might experience delays with your treatment.
Make sure to clean your aligners regularly as well. Otherwise, bacteria might spread to your teeth and gums.
Cleaning your aligners can help prevent plaque and tartar buildup. It will help keep your breath fresh, too.
When you’re not wearing your aligners, make sure to keep them in their protective case. You don’t want to damage your aligners accidentally.
Follow-Up Appointments
Once you start treatment, you’ll need to schedule follow-up appointments with your Katy, TX Invisalign dentist. Follow-up appointments will help your dentist track your progress. They’ll make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed, too.
Once your treatment is complete, your dentist will remove the composite resin buttons from the surface of your teeth. They’ll provide you with a pair of retainers to wear, too. Wearing your retainer will keep your teeth from reverting to their previous state.
Katy, TX Invisalign: Your Guide to a Straight, Healthy Smile
Want to experience the benefits of having straight, healthy teeth? Talk to your Katy, TX Invisalign provider. Starting Invisalign treatment can benefit your overall oral health.
You can improve the appearance of your smile and boost your self-confidence while you’re at it, too.
Eager to talk to dentists in Katy, TX, about Invisalign? We can’t wait to see you.
Contact us today to get started.