Invisalign | Webster Family Dental

September 17, 2021 by Webster Family Dental

Roughly 4 million people under the age of 18 are wearing braces. 4 out of every 5 people who are wearing braces are minor children. While many may be in the traditional metal braces, more and more are opting for Invisalign aligners to fix their orthodontic issues.

Have you wondered about how Invisalign aligners work? Are they a better choice for you or your kids than traditional braces? You might even wonder if Invisalign would actually work for your particular orthodontic needs.

It’s likely you won’t be surprised why so many people are choosing to use Invisalign over regular metal braces once you know more. Read on to learn more and get 7 of your Invisalign questions answered.

1. How Will Invisalign Aligners Fix My Mouth Issues?

Invisalign aligners are custom for every mouth. These thin, clear molds fit over your teeth and help to move your teeth and mouth to the end desired result.

The Invisalign aligners help to move your mouth in little bits over time by applying gentle amounts of pressure to your teeth and mouth. As the pressure is placed on the teeth they will slowly move to the desired location. Once the teeth move, then new Invisalign are created to keep the movement going.

Remember, the Invisalign is a custom fit for every mouth. As there is movement in your mouth, a new set of aligners is created.

Users should wear their Invisalign braces between 20 and 22 hours a day. If they do this, then they will need new aligners around every 7 to 10 days.

2. How Long Does a Patient Need to Wear Invisalign?

This is the magic question of every braces wearer, how long do you need to wear them? No dental professional can answer that question exactly.

First, how a patient’s teeth respond can vary greatly from patient to patient. Also, the significance of how much work needs to be done can vary the treatment time.

Overall though, many patients find their time with Invisalign is slightly less than traditional braces. The average wearer will be in Invisalign between 12 and 18 months. Some users will start to see results of movement within the first few weeks of wearing the Invisalign.

3. What Issues in the Mouth Can Invisalign Treat?

Invisalign can treat most of the same issues that traditional orthodontic treatments can treat. Invisalign is used to treat many types of malocclusions, including an underbite and an overbite.

Often Invisalign is used for treating small imperfections in the mouth. This might include slightly crooked teeth or small gaps in the mouth.

If you have significant issues with the jaw and teeth, your dentist is best equipped to decide if Invisalign is a good fit for you or if you should use more traditional braces.

4. What Will My Post Invisalign Treatment Be?

Before you begin treatment with Invisalign, it makes sense to look at your entire treatment plan. This should include what happens once your teeth are where they’re supposed to be.

Rarely does any orthodontic treatment mean once your braces are off, you’re finished completely. The movement you just achieved with braces can go in reverse if the mouth doesn’t know to stay in place.

Like with traditional metal braces, almost always, it will be necessary to wear a retainer after you complete your Invisalign treatments. This helps to hold the teeth in their finished placement from Invisalign.

When you’re done with Invisalign, your dentist will fit you for the retainers you’ll need to wear.

5. Will Invisalign Impact My Diet or Daily Activities?

The great feature of Invisalign is its ability to be popped out of your mouth as needed. Of course, you want to keep them in as much as possible, but if needed, they can be removed.

You can drink water while wearing them with no problem. For other food and drink, it makes sense to pop them out of your mouth. If you try to eat with them in your mouth, you could crack or break the Invisalign aligners while chewing. Once you eat, it’s smart to make sure you brush your teeth before you put the Invisalign aligners back in. You don’t want food stuck on your teeth with the aligners in place.

It’s also advised if you’re involved in activities that have contact, like contact sports, that your remove the aligners first. Again, if you get accidentally hit in the mouth, the aligners could crack or break.

6. How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

Like time with Invisalign, the cost is dependent on what needs to be done with your teeth and how long you’ll need to wear the aligners. Your individual needs will impact the length of treatment, which impacts cost.

Many dental insurance programs will contribute to orthodontic care, including Invisalign. Your dental provider can create an estimate for the cost of treatment. Many providers offer payment plans for orthodontic care too.

You also want to consider if you don’t have your teeth fixed, will other dental issues arise later that could be even more costly. This is something your dentist can help you decide.

7. Is Invisalign Safe?

Invisalign is safe for patients of all ages. In fact, many patients feel like it’s a less invasive treatment plan than traditional braces because you can take the aligners in and out.

As mentioned previously, you shouldn’t participate in contact activities with the Invisalign in your mouth. The Invisalign aligners can’t replace a mouthguard. If you’re involved in a contact sport, you want to remove your aligners and insert a mouthguard instead.

Invisalign Aligners to Get Your Teeth Straight

Invisalign aligners have become a popular and successful alternative to traditional braces. Many patients appreciate that they are clear and less noticeable on the teeth compared to metal braces.

If you’re interested in more information about Invisalign, we can help. Contact us today to get more information or to set up an evaluation appointment.

June 2, 2021May 31, 2021 by Webster Family Dental

Back in the day we weren’t exactly spoiled for choice when it came to teeth straightening options. In fact, your only choice up until recent years (1999, to be exact) was metal braces. Nowadays, we have the freedom of choice.

Should you choose Invisalign over braces? Well, that really is up to you, the timeframe you’d like to straighten your teeth in, and your budget, of course.

If you’re looking to straighten your teeth, correct a crowded mouth, or bite abnormalities, Invisalign could be just right for you. To learn more about why Invisalign could be a better option than traditional braces, keep on reading.

Why Should You Straighten Your Teeth Anyway?

Aside from creating a beautiful smile, teeth straightening has a number of oral health benefits — it’s not all cosmetic. Correcting a crossbite, overbite, or an underbite, for one, can help to eliminate jaw problems and pain.

By evening out overcrowded teeth, you can also benefit from improved dental health as it makes it easier to brush and floss teeth thoroughly. This keeps gum disease and tooth decay at bay.

Teeth straightening can also help with speech issues, such as lisp impediments caused by overcrowded teeth or jaw problems.

Why Choose Invisalign Over Braces?

Invisalign made its way onto the market about 22 years ago. Since then, it has revolutionized the type of orthodontic care offered to patients across the globe. With its patented technology, Invisalign has become the teeth straightening method of choice for both children and adults alike.

Here are some of the standout benefits and why you might want to choose Invisalign over metal braces:

1. Invisalign Is Removable

Why is this a big deal? Simply because metal braces are completely fixed to your teeth with dental cement and a network of wires. This puts a limit on the types of foods you can eat, and also makes them difficult to clean.

Yes, you have to wear your aligners for an average of 22 hours per day. But the upside is that you can remove them at any time. This means you have the freedom to eat and drink whatever you want. If you’re feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable you can pop them out at any time.

The only thing you must remember to do is brush your teeth after you eat and rinse your aligners before putting them back in. Invisalign is also very easy to clean. You can start with just rinsing them throughout the day. Then soak them in a cleaning solution and gently scrub them with a toothbrush at night.

All in all, Invisalign decreases your risk of developing tooth decay or gum infection because of how hygienic they are.

2. Invisalign Is Comfortable

The clear aligners are made from polyurethane plastic resin, so this means you won’t have a mouth full of metal to contend with. The efficient, patented material was designed with mouthfeel and comfort in mind.

Not only is this material 100 percent safe to use, but it moves with the teeth in a precision-like fashion, without excessive amounts of tooth pain or sensitivity.

Your dentist will take a mold of your mouth and ensure the clear aligners match your specific diagnosis. They fit snugly around your teeth so you won’t have to worry about them digging into your gums or falling out, either.

3. It’s Discreet, Subtle, and Professional

There’s a reason why Invisalign has become so popular with young adults and professionals today. The aligners are almost invisible and make for a completely discreet and subtle means of teeth straightening when compared to braces.

Basically, you can wear your Invisalign throughout your workday and not worry about them. They are ideal for all types of career professionals. They are also a great choice for teens who may be self-conscious about their smiles, too.

Today, there is the option of choosing Invisalign Teen which is specifically designed to suit the growing mouths of children.

4. It’s Effective and Offers Proven Results

The Invisalign design team has invested years of research into product development. So, it’s not likely that you’ll find a more reliable orthodontic tool on the market today. Not-to-mention, millions of dollars on product adjustment to ensure Invisalign offers proven, efficient results.

Invisalign utilizes a specific type of technology known as SmartTrack™ plastic, as well as SmartForce™ attachments. As a result, these clear aligners offer faster tooth movement than any other clear aligner brand today.

Yes, braces are an effective tool for treating a huge variety of teeth conditions. But Invisalign may be even more effective in treating specific conditions, such as open bites, for example. However, this depends on the advice of your orthodontist.

5. You Won’t Need to Visit Your Orthodontist as Often

When you opt for Invisalign treatment your orthodontist will set out a predicted timeline and follow a series of custom-made aligners. Each set of aligners is swapped out every two weeks for the next set in the series.

Most of the time you’ll receive a few sets in advance as well as instructions on when to swap out your aligners. All in all, this means you can maintain your Invisalign treatment from home and won’t need to physically go into your orthodontist’s office that often.

You will only need to visit your orthodontist every 3 months or so to collect your next series of aligners. Whereas with braces, you might need to visit your orthodontist every month!

6. You Can Whiten and Straighten Your Teeth Simultaneously

This is yet another brilliant perk of Invisalign. The clear aligner trays can double as teeth whitening trays while you wear them throughout the night during your sleep.

You simply apply a specialized and orthodontist-approved teeth whitening gel to the inside of your aligner trays. Then pop them in for a quick and efficient tooth whitening treatment overnight.

7. The Entire Treatment Process Is Shorter

As a general rule of thumb, most people have to wear braces for a period of 18 months to 2 years for full and effective treatment. The great thing about Invisalign is that the entire treatment process takes half, if not a quarter of the time.

Due to their specialized design and technology, you can complete an entire Invisalign treatment from start to end in as little as 6 months. However, this does depend on your unique case, and how often you wear your aligners, too.

8. It’s Not as Expensive as You Think

Many people are under the impression that Invisalign is just not affordable, or that it’s far more expensive than braces. But the reality is that an entire Invisalign treatment costs almost the same as the extent of metal braces.

To add to this, if your insurance offers orthodontic coverage, it should cover the cost or partial cost of Invisalign, much the same as it would with traditional braces.

Looking for a Family Dentist You Can Rely On?

So, should you choose Invisalign over braces? At the end of the day, this choice is highly personal. But if the above benefits were enough to sway you, then it’s best to get started with your Invisalign journey sooner, rather than later.

At Webster Family Dentistry your oral health is our priority. Whether you’re looking for cosmetic, restorative, or preventative dentistry, we’d love to meet you!

Get in touch with our practice if you’re based in the Webster Groves region and we’d be happy to schedule your next visit.

January 15, 2021July 15, 2020 by Webster Family Dental

Invisalign and braces are two methods used to treat crooked teeth. They offer a straighter, more beautiful smile and can improve overall oral hygiene. The similarities between these methods, though, can make it hard to decide: Invisalign or braces?

Braces are a more traditional approach to straightening a smile. An orthodontist attaches metal brackets to your teeth, each of which is connected with a series of strong wires. The dentist tightens these wires to encourage teeth toward the desired result.

Meanwhile, Invisalign is a relatively new method for fixing crooked teeth. Instead of metal brackets and wires, dentists use clear plastic trays, similar to retainers. With a new tray every two weeks, Invisalign gently encourages teeth into a more desirable alignment.

Are you finally ready to get the straight smile of your dreams? Then you need to know your options. We’re guiding you through the pros and cons of Invisalign and braces next, so check it out.

The Pros and Cons of Invisalign

Invented in the 1990s, Invisalign is a significant step up from traditional metal braces. Yet, Invisalign isn’t for everyone. Invisalign isn’t ideal for:

People with bridgework
People whose teeth don’t meet in the back when biting down
People who need to move teeth up or down

Another thing to consider is that you must be disciplined enough to leave Invisalign in for 22 or more hours every day. If you’re forgetful or tend to travel a lot, removable trays may not be for you.

Still with us? If so, here are the top pros and cons of wearing Invisalign clear aligners over traditional metal braces to help you with your decision.

Invisalign Is Discreet

Because Invisalign trays are clear, it’s hard to tell when someone is wearing them. If you’re concerned about the stigma of wearing braces, Invisalign is the choice for you.

Invisalign Takes Less Time

Compared to traditional metal braces, Invisalign can straighten teeth in less time. Of course, the exact timeline depends on your unique smile needs. Most people only wear clear aligners for 6 to 18 months.

Invisalign Is Foolproof to Clean

Invisalign clear aligner trays come with the proprietary Invisalign cleaning system. If you prefer to DIY it, you can also simply brush and rinse trays in warm water.

Cleaning Invisalign trays is much easier, less time-consuming, and more effective than trying to brush and floss around metal braces. In fact, studies have shown that people at risk of gingivitis are better off with clear aligners than traditional braces.

Invisalign Is Removable

Hate the idea of not seeing your teeth for months as you wait for them to move into place? Then you may prefer Invisalign. Invisalign trays can be removed for up to 2 hours per day to allow your teeth to breathe.

Invisalign Doesn’t Require Painful Tightening

When it’s time to move onto the next step of straightening, your dentist won’t have to tighten any wires. Instead, you just pick up a new sized tray and use it for two weeks.

Invisalign May Not Work for Severe Oral Issues

If you need your teeth to move vertically or have canines or molars that aren’t facing front, Invisalign probably isn’t for you. Invisalign also isn’t for people who need to fix certain kinds of open bites.

The Pros and Cons of Braces

Compared to Invisalign, braces are a tried and true method for straightening teeth. They’ve been around in some form or another since the beginning of the 1900s. In 1970, metal braces became what they are today.

One major draw to traditional braces is that there are almost no limitations to who can wear them. Dentists typically only recommend another method of straightening teeth for people who are prone to dental injuries, such as those who play rough contact sports.

Despite this, traditional braces do come with some pros and cons worth considering before going all-in with this teeth-straightening method. Check them out below.

Braces Aren’t Discreet

Braces are made up of metal brackets, wire, and rubber bands to hold them all together. Some dentists offer more natural color rubber banks these days. Still, even the most natural-looking braces aren’t nearly as discreet as Invisalign clear aligners.

Braces Can Be Less Expensive

Depending on your unique needs, braces can often cost less than Invisalign. Traditional braces can be more than half the price of braces. That’s why traditional metal braces are perfect for someone wanting to straighten their smile on a budget.

Cleaning Braces Is Difficult

Though cleaning braces has fewer steps than cleaning clear trays, it can be infinitely more tedious. You have to ensure you’re brushing your teeth as best as possible while also making sure you’re cleaning the brackets. You may need extra tools like water picks and other devices to keep your teeth clean and free of ulcers and germs.

You’ll Never Forget to Pack Your Braces

The good news about braces is you never have to worry about forgetting to put them on. Braces aren’t removable, which may be perfect for forgetful people or people who are unlikely to wear their Invisalign trays.

Getting Braces Tightened Is Painful

Once per month, you have to visit your orthodontist to get your braces tightened. This procedure can be excruciating and cause headaches. If that sounds like a nightmare, traditional braces are probably not for you.

Braces Can Cause Tooth Discoloration

If a bracket breaks, you wear braces for a longer time, or if you have trouble cleaning your braces, tooth discoloration can result. Unfortunately, the discoloration usually happens around the bracket. That means you’ll have an unsightly white blemish where the bracket was while the tooth around it is darker in color.

Get a Perfect Smile With Invisalign or Braces

When it comes to the question of Invisalign or braces, you’ve got to consider the pros and cons. Only then can you find the method that fits with your smile needs and your lifestyle.

Are you ready to get the smile of your dreams? At Webster Family Dental, we want you to put your best smile forward. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can do it for you!