Invisalign orthodontic treatment is an exciting, discreet way to straighten your teeth, but do you know if this treatment is for you? When choosing an orthodontic treatment option it is important to have all the facts. One popular alternative to traditional braces is Invisalign, a tooth-straightening system that doesn’t rely on brackets or wires. Invisalign uses a series of removable custom-made, form-fitted trays made of clear plastic. These devices, known as aligners, exude a constant pressure to the teeth and are switched out regularly to gradually move your teeth to the desired position. This innovative system isn’t for everyone, though.  A member of our Mountain Aire Dentistry team can help educate you on your options.

Are You a Candidate for Invisalign?

When determining which type of braces you will use for your treatment there are a few factors to consider. One of the biggest considerations is whether or not you are a candidate for treatment–not everyone can use Invisalign to fix their issues.  Invisalign does not fix vertical problems–where the teeth are at different heights–or on teeth that are badly rotated or overcrowded.  Invisalign doesn’t work well for correcting malocclusion or other bite issues. Invisalign works best in cases that need minor to moderate dental treatment but, for the right case, Invisalign offers aesthetic treatment option with minimal discomfort.

Are You Committed to Your Oral Hygiene Needs?

Traditional braces require vigilant, dedicated cleaning and care.  Neglecting a dedicated oral hygiene routine can allow decay to develop under the brackets or between your teeth where it is difficult to floss.  Being able to remove the aligners also allows you to clean and floss your teeth more effectively.  While Invisalign allows for easier cleaning of your tooth surfaces, it also requires that you are committed to brushing your teeth after you eat. Your Invisalign aligners are removed when you eat, but if you don’t brush your teeth before you put them back on, you trap bacteria on your teeth under the aligner where saliva is unable to help remove it. This puts your teeth at great risk for demineralization.  

Demineralization occurs when food is left on the teeth to interact with bacteria (otherwise known as plaque). This causes acid to form and this acid is what eats away at the calcium and phosphate of the teeth causing white spots or demineralization. If you have ever seen white spots on teeth before, these are signs of demineralization and an indication of where decay is beginning to form. Patients who are prone to snacking find Invisalign treatment to be somewhat challenging because of how often you are having to remove your aligners and clean your teeth before putting them back on.

Will You Wear Them?

One of the big questions to ask yourself when deciding if Invisalign treatment is for you is will you wear the aligners? Orthodontic treatment, regardless of which method you choose for your treatment needs, will have periods of discomfort as they help your teeth to move into the correct position. With traditional braces, you can’t remove the braces when you have these sore periods even though you might wish you could. Invisalign aligners are removable and if you aren’t strong willed enough you may be tempted to remove them during these temporary periods of soreness and discomfort. Invisalign aligners need to be worn 20–22 hours per day to do their job. If you don’t commit to wearing them for the required amount you could delay your treatment indefinitely costing you more time and money.  The removable design of Invisalign aligners allow you to continue eating your crunchy snacks or popcorn, something you could never do with traditional aligners, but you have to be responsible about brushing your teeth and putting the aligners back in.

More Comfort, Less Time in the Doctor’s Office

Invisalign treatment gives you the control over replacing your aligners meaning that the time you spend in our office is greatly reduced.  Custom-made aligners are worn for a two-week period and then replaced by the next aligner in the series.  Each aligner does its part in progressively moving the teeth into the desired position. The average total time you can expect treatment to last varies on how much your teeth need to be repositioned, but most treatments last from a few months to 1 1/2 years.

Sometimes aligners will develop sharp edges that can irritate the gums, but you can file the sharp edges or wear wax.  Brackets and pokey wires from traditional braces pose irritation as well, but Invisalign aligners are more comfortable in comparison even with the occasional sharp edge that needs filing.  The vast majority of  Invisalign® patients feel the benefits outweigh the difficulties and commit themselves to treatment with excitement.  

Call for a Free Consultation

Dr. Bockrath and his Broomfield-based team are certified Invisalign providers and would be happy to answer any questions you have to help you determine if Invisalign is right for you and your teen. In the end, whichever orthodontic treatment you choose, Dr. Bockrath and the team at Mountain Aire Dentistry will make sure your orthodontic treatment will result in a healthier, more confident smile! We look forward to guiding your smile transformation–it’s what we love!  Call (303) 731-7755 for a free consultation.