If you are tired of dealing with a sore jaw, uncomfortable chewing, or an unattractive smile, ask your Carmel, Indiana dentist about Invisalign.
Invisalign, also called “invisible braces,” are part of an orthodontic system that involves a series of almost undetectable braces for straightening teeth.
It’s a state-of-the-art alternative to traditional metal braces. Instead of metal wires and brackets, several clear, custom-fit, and removable aligners are used.
Would Braces Really Benefit Me at My Age?
That’s a great question. Generally we associate braces with young people who want to improve the aesthetics of their smile. While this is an important role of Invisalign, it is not our primary focus at Really Smile. Invisalign helps us improve your oral health and comfort so that you can enjoy your natural teeth for the rest of your life.
What’s at Risk if I Ignore the Problem?
Have you noticed that it’s difficult to keep your front teeth free of plaque buildup? Maybe your hygienist has even mentioned it to you. This is just one sign that your teeth could benefit from an orthodontic adjustment with Invisalign.
You see, crowded teeth and teeth that are misaligned are more than just a slight against your vanity. Misaligned teeth are the catalyst that leads to all sorts of other oral and neuromuscular concerns.
You might be experiencing a lot of wear and tear on your teeth because they simply don’t rest comfortably. Your jaw muscles and joints will become strained because they are never able to relax. It’s common for you to lose bone around your teeth and experience problems with your gums.
In other words, the alignment of your teeth is imperative if you want to stop all the other problems in their tracks and KEEP YOUR NATURAL TEETH. While teens wear braces to try to correct alignment problems early, it is never too late for this treatment! If we can correct the problem when you are 50, think about how much better shape you’ll be in by the time you’re 70 or 80!
How Does it Work?
After a thorough examination, Dr. Smith will create a personalized dental treatment plan. This will take into account your desired outcome and what you specifically want to correct about your teeth. After that, Dr. Smith will use the latest in 3-D computer technology to determine the correct shape of Invisalign aligners for you. Your objectives for teeth straightening will be translated into a series of finely calibrated invisible braces.
About every two weeks, you will change the aligner that you are wearing, and typically you will visit our office every six to eight weeks to check your progress. Each new aligner advances you to the next stage of our treatment. The aligners may be taken out only for eating, brushing, and flossing.
Every case is unique, but the typical treatment period for adults takes about 12-18 months. For timely results, it’s recommended that you wear your clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day for the entire duration of the process.
To learn more about Invisalign and to find out if you are a suitable candidate for the treatment, call your Carmel, IN Invisalign dentist Dr. Smith at 317-597-8748. You may also get in touch with us at Really Smile by filling out our online form here.