Getting Started with Invisalign®: What to Expect
Oct 01, 2022
In the not-so-distant past, the only option for straightening a crooked smile was traditional metal braces. The process was simple: Take physical impressions, attach brackets and wires to your teeth, and make adjustments every six weeks until the teeth have shifted into the ideal place.
Now, however, metal braces aren’t your only option, and more and more people 一 over 12 million thus far 一 are choosing Invisalign® clear aligners as their orthodontic treatment of choice.
If you’re considering joining those happy 12 million patients, you might wonder how you start the process and what you can expect from Invisalign.
All Invisalign treatments start with a consultation to make sure that Invisalign is right for you. Our Invisalign specialist, Sanaz Rouhani, DDS, and the team at Advanced Dentistry are on a mission to improve the health, functionality, and appearance of your smile — and Invisalign checks those three boxes.
Below, our team shares everything you need to know about getting started with Invisalign.
Invisalign is a highly individualized orthodontic system of clear aligner trays. Every aspect of your treatment is planned out with cutting-edge treatment planning software, from your first tray to your last one.
Not only do we use advanced technology to make your experience with Invisalign treatment phenomenal, but you can also count on Dr. Rouhani to provide all of the information you need to feel prepared for each step of your journey.
Here’s what you can expect when you’re getting started with Invisalign:
Before you embark on your journey with Invisalign, Dr. Rouhani first determines that Invisalign is right for you. Invisalign can:
There are times, however, when Invisalign isn’t right for you. For instance, if you have a serious malocclusion, you may require a different type of orthodontic treatment. In addition to confirming if Invisalign is right for you, your first consultation provides an opportunity for you to ask questions about Invisalign and how it can help you reach your goals.
One of the benefits of Invisalign is that you can bypass all of the messy, goopy physical impressions needed for treatment planning 一 particularly good news for those with strong gag reflexes.
Our team uses the iTero Element® intraoral scanner to produce a series of clear, accurate, and precise 3D images. These images are loaded into an advanced computer design program called ClinCheck® to customize each aspect of your treatment plan.
Once the plan is set, we send the images to an Invisalign lab. Each Invisalign clear aligner is made with SmartTrack®, a soft BPA-free, gluten-free, and latex-free plastic.
Once your clear aligner trays are created, it’s time to get started. For the best results, keep your aligner trays in your mouth for 20-22 hours each day. Every one to two weeks (or as directed), replace your current tray with a new set of aligner trays. Each new set of aligners gently shifts your teeth closer to their ideal location.
Even though you replace your trays every one to two weeks, you still receive regular checkups in our office about every four to six weeks. During this time, our team monitors your progress and answers any questions you have.
There are many reasons to consider clear aligners. Invisalign is:
Because you don’t have any permanent metal brackets or wires in your mouth, there’s no need to worry about sores, lesions, or cuts on your lips, tongues, or cheeks (an unfortunate side effect of metal braces).
Even after you’re done wearing your Invisalign trays, you can still expect care and support from our team. This includes:
August 11 is National Align Your Teeth Day 一 the perfect occasion to get started with your own clear aligners. To celebrate this day, our team is offering specials.
Ready to transform your smile with Invisalign clear aligners or want to learn more about our Invisalign specials? Our team is just a call or click away. You can reach our Sugar Land, Texas office at 281-494-5600. You can also request an appointment online.