Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Invisalign is a revolutionary way for the orthodontic dentistry world to straighten teeth. The clear aligners are very popular among adults and teens who want to straighten their teeth discreetly, comfortably and usually in less time than it takes more awkward, uncomfortable, traditional metal braces. Our Invisalign dentist in Greeneville receives lots of questions about Invisalign, and today we’re sharing a list we’ve compiled of the most common Invisalign facts in case you’re curious about using clear aligners to straighten your teeth.
1. Customized treatment plans
Invisalign isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment plan. Instead, our Erwin cosmetic dentist will work with you on a custom, individualized plan to straighten your teeth. We use X-rays and digital scans of your mouth and teeth to create a 3D model, which we will use to design and fabricate a series of custom Invisalign aligner trays that will comfortably hug your teeth as they straighten them.
2. Comfortable, removable aligner trays
While traditional braces are fixed to the teeth for the duration of treatment, making it difficult to brush and floss and also preventing you from enjoying certain foods, Invisalign aligner trays can be removed for brushing, flossing, eating and drinking anything other than water. Patients must wear aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day for best results; otherwise, treatment time may be prolonged.
3. Aligner changes
Traditional metal braces require frequent adjustments that leave the mouth sore. Conversely, Invisalign features a series of aligners, each one slightly different from the last. They gently and gradually shift the teeth into their proper position. Each set of aligners is usually worn a week or two before moving on to the next set. Our Invisalign dentist in Jonesborough recommends keeping old aligner sets just in case progress stalls. In this rare case, it will help to go back to a previous set of aligner trays.
4. Minimal discomfort
While braces have metal brackets and wires that are notorious for causing discomfort, poking cheeks or sometimes even causing mouth sores, Invisalign aligners are made from smooth plastic that hugs the teeth. When transitioning to a new aligner set, it’s normal to feel a little pressure or discomfort as the teeth adjust. This is mild and temporary and can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain relievers.
5. Maintaining oral hygiene
You can keep your normal oral health routine with Invisalign. Aligners are removable so you can brush and floss your teeth as usual. Failure to maintain good oral hygiene, however, can lead to plaque buildup, tooth decay and gum disease. The aligners, themselves, also need to be regularly cleaned. Our Invisalign dentist in Erwin will provide instructions on how to clean your aligners to prevent bacterial growth and odor.
6. Dental checkups
Follow-up appointments at our office will be scheduled usually every six to eight weeks just so we can check your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
7. Post-treatment retainers
Once your Invisalign treatment is complete and your teeth have been straightened, we may recommend wearing retainers to maintain your new teeth position. Retainers are typically worn at night while sleeping.
Invisalign dentist in Erwin, Jonesborough and Greeneville, Tennessee
If you’ve been considering straightening your teeth, consider the comfortable, discreet option that Invisalign provides. We’re happy to discuss Invisalign with you and answer any questions you have. Call us at Tusculum Dental Care, (423) 639-7575, or reach out to us online to schedule a consultation today.