There are a lot of reasons why adults have crooked teeth. Whether your family couldn’t afford orthodontic treatment when you were a child or your teeth have shifted out of place as you’ve gotten older, it is important to know that you can still straighten your smile now. In fact, Invisalign has become one of the most preferred orthodontic solutions for adults due to its dependable comfort, invisible design and convenience.
Invisalign is a short-term clear aligner therapy that preserves your busy lifestyle. Not only will your aligners be virtually invisible to others, but you can remove your aligners to eat, brush and floss. Unlike metal braces, Invisalign doesn’t require frequent office visits and won’t irritate the soft tissues of your mouth. You can eat the foods you love and not worry about how your orthodontic treatment will affect your appearance.
What is the Invisalign Process?
Your journey to a straight and confident smile as an adult is as easy as 1-2-3. If you are considering Invisalign treatment, here are three steps you can expect:
Step 1: Treatment Planning
While many patients make great candidates for Invisalign, only a qualified Invisalign provider can accurately determine if its right for you. Invisalign is known for correcting a wide range of orthodontic concerns, including wide spaces, crooked teeth, overbites, underbites and crossbites. If you are determined to be a good candidate at your initial consultation, we will start the process by taking digital images and x-rays of your teeth that will be used to plan the custom fabrication of your aligner sets.
Step 2: Wearing Your Aligners
When your aligners are ready, you’ll be given specific instructions for wearing them. Typically, you’ll wear each aligner set for two weeks before changing to the next set. You can remove your aligners to eat and clean your teeth, but try to keep them in at least 22 hours out of the day.
Step 3: Wearing Your Retainer
If worn correctly, the average treatment time for adult Invisalign patients is 12 to 15 months. However, just like traditional braces, it is important not to neglect the retention phase after your treatment is complete. This typically involves wearing retainer for a recommended amount of time to maintain your new, straight smile.
Ready to Get Started?
Call our Marietta dentists at Gilreath Family Dentistry Marietta to learn more about Invisalign for adults and teens. Dr. Gilreath IV is an Invisalign® GOLD PLUS Provider, which means that he has advanced skills and experience with the Invisalign process. We can’t wait to share more about the amazing benefits of this innovative clear aligner therapy!
Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV,
