Abnormal bite alignment, crooked permanent teeth, and spacing issues often emerge when children are still in elementary school, and can affect us through adulthood. Although some grade-schoolers can benefit greatly from early intervention orthodontic care, most kids don’t get braces until they’re a bit older. Although it’s become more common, adults rarely get braces. Though a growing teen’s teeth and jaws are more responsive to orthodontic repositioning, it’s not too late for adults.
Nobody is thrilled by the notion of having to wear traditional bracket-and-wire braces for any amount of time, especially as they work and attend social events. Thankfully, old-school metal braces are no longer the only way to attain a flawless smile. Here at K Street Dental, we use Invisalign® clear aligners — a new, groundbreaking alternative for correcting bite issues, straightening crooked teeth, fixing spacing problems, and closing gaps, all without conventional wires and brackets.
Here’s how Invisalign can transform your smile without interrupting your life.
Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic system that uses a series of custom-created clear aligner trays to straighten teeth and correct a wide range of bite and spacing problems, including crooked, protruding, or crowded teeth, small gaps, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and even hard-to-treat deep bites.
Invisalign uses advanced 3D computer imaging to diagnose your exact orthodontic needs, map out every step of your treatment plan, and provide the custom blueprint for each aligner.
Much like conventional braces, Invisalign aligners are designed to apply precise, controlled force that incrementally changes tooth position and bite alignment until it’s just right. Invisalign technology is far more efficient than regular braces, however, because it allows for better control and timing of that force.
During the two-week period that you wear each aligner, it painlessly and progressively moves specific teeth until they’re ready for the next aligner in the series. The treatment process continues to advance as you go from one aligner to the next, all the way through to the end.
Most people may like the fact that Invisalign can usually get the job done in less time than traditional braces, but more people love the fact that Invisalign is:
Everyone wants to be noticed for their smile, not their orthodontic appliance. Invisalign clear aligners are virtually imperceptible, meaning they won’t bring the wrong kind of attention.
Although you need to wear your Invisalign aligner for at least 22 hours a day to obtain optimal results, you can take it out when it’s time to eat, brush and floss your teeth, play sports, or attend a special event. This feature makes Invisalign more convenient and hygienic than conventional fixed braces.
Made from ultra-thin SmartTrack® material that’s precision-trimmed to fit closely and comfortably, Invisalign aligners have smooth contours that won’t scrape your gums or damage your tooth enamel.
Invisalign technology is constantly evolving, and many of its latest improvements are designed to meet the needs of teen and adult patients.
Invisalign G5 is a new clinical innovation that uses state-of-the-art SmartForce® attachments and aligner features to make complex tooth movements possible. It’s an ideal solution for anyone with deep bites, or upper front teeth that overlap over the lower front teeth.
In the past, conventional bracket-and-wire braces were the only way to treat challenging deep bites. Now Invisalign G5 technology makes it possible for aligners to apply the right amount of force in the right direction so this hard-to-treat problem can be resolved both discretely and predictably.
Other important Invisalign innovations include an interior bite plate that can be added to aligners to accommodate the eruption of second molars or bicuspids, and new positioners that can be added to help realign the jaw.
Other Invisalign innovations are designed to help keep your orthodontic treatment plan on track and completely transparent. A small blue dot, which is a compliance indicator, changes color when it’s time to switch to the next aligner. A video of the plan gives you — or your dentist — a way to see exactly what’s taking place at each stage of treatment.
Invisalign technology also makes it possible to provide custom replacement aligners quickly and easily, should you happen to lose one.
And forget about DIY mail-order orthodontic aligners that promise far more than they can deliver. Invisalign is, without a doubt, the best way to help you get a beautiful smile — affordably, efficiently, comfortably, and with built-in assurance.
To find out if Invisalign is right for you, call our office in Washington, D.C. or Gaithersburg, Maryland, or use the easy online tool to schedule a visit with our specialists.
