Invisalign Clear Aligners Westbury

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign uses a series of clear, plastic trays instead of metal brackets and wires to place a strategic, gentle amount of pressure on your teeth. Over time, this force will help shift your teeth into their ideal positions, and when paired with elastic bands, the aligners can also help fix bite problems. Every six to eight weeks, you’ll return to our office for a quick check-in visit to make sure your teeth are moving as anticipated and to pick up the next sets of trays.

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign offers a wide variety of benefits that distinguish it from traditional braces. If you choose to pursue your dream smile with clear aligners, you’ll be able to enjoy the following:

Improved Comfort

It’s no secret that metal brackets and wires aren’t the most comfortable. In fact, soft tissue irritation and mouth sores are expected. Fortunately, that’s the case with Invisalign in Westbury. After all, the aligners are crafted from smooth plastic and are custom-made to fit the contours of your teeth. As a result, the teeth-straightening process is easier than ever before!

No Dietary Restrictions

With traditional braces, patients are asked to avoid whole apples, caramel-filled candies, and other crunchy and sticky snacks. With Invisalign, there aren’t the same dietary restrictions because the aligners are removable. All we ask is that you don’t overindulge on foods that could increase your risk of developing a cavity and, in turn, delay your treatment plan (i.e., potato chips, ice cream, rock candies).

Fewer and Shorter Follow-Up Visits

Another considerable perk: there aren’t monthly, hour-long adjustment appointments with Invisalign. Instead, you’ll be given several sets of aligners so you can progress through portions of your treatment plan at home. Then, every 6-8 weeks, you’ll return to our office so we can make sure your teeth are moving as anticipated. Oftentimes, this takes less than 30 minutes!

Easier to Maintain Good Oral Health

If you had traditional braces in the past, you may remember needing interproximal toothbrushes, pre-threaded floss, and other special oral hygiene products to keep your smile healthy. Fortunately, Invisalign aligners are removable, so you can maintain your usual dental care regimen. Just make sure to clean your aligners after each meal, too!

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

Typically, it takes 2-3 years to correct overcrowding, noticeable gaps, and bite problems with traditional braces. With Invisalign, the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months. Not only that, but your teeth-straightening journey may be even shorter if your case of misalignment is milder. During your consultation, we will provide you with an estimate of the cost and discuss what to do to avoid frustrating delays, like wearing your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day, every day.

Discreet, Clear Appearance

Of course, this list of benefits wouldn’t be complete without touching on one of the biggest benefits of Invisalign: the aligners are basically invisible. This is largely because they are crafted from smooth, see-through plastic and don’t have any metal components. However, the fact that they have a low profile so they don’t protrude unnaturally helps, too!

Who Can Invisalign Help?

Now that you know how Invisalign works, you might be wondering if you’re a good candidate. Fortunately, most patients who are struggling with mild to moderate cases of misalignment are. So, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with our team at Westbury Dental Spa! You can also read on to learn more, including if Invisalign can fix crooked teeth.

Crowded Teeth

If your teeth have rotated out of position because there isn’t enough room in your mouth for them to sit in their ideal places, then you’re at an increased risk of tooth decay, premature wear, and gum disease. Fortunately, Invisalign is often a solution! If we determine that you’re a good candidate at your consultation, then we will create a custom treatment plan and series of aligners to guide your teeth from where they are now to where they should be.

Gaps Between Teeth

Of course, some patients are struggling to maintain a healthy, happy smile due to the opposite problem: there is too much space between their teeth. If that’s the case for you, then schedule a consultation with us so we can explore your treatment options. If Invisalign is one of them, then closing the gaps won’t require metal brackets, dietary restrictions, and cumbersome oral hygiene regimens. Instead, your orthodontic treatment will be clear, comfortable, and convenient!

Overbite

While it’s normal for your upper teeth to sit in front of your lower ones, several issues can arise if they protrude significantly. For this reason, we recommend exploring your treatment options sooner rather than later. If we can create a healthier bite with Invisalign, then we will use the aligners and any other orthodontic accessories that are needed, like buttons and rubber bands, to achieve the desired results.

Underbite

An underbite is when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper ones. Unfortunately, many patients who struggle with this orthodontic problem have low self-esteem, trouble chewing properly, and chronic jaw pain. The good news is that Invisalign is often an option for patients with mild to moderate cases. If that’s the case for you, then your orthodontic treatment won’t involve any metal at all!

Crossbite

What if only a few of your upper teeth sit behind your lower ones? If that’s the case, then you may have a crossbite, which is a bite problem that can negatively impact everything from your self-esteem to your chewing patterns. That’s why we recommend exploring your treatment options, like Invisalign. If you’re a candidate, then we can create a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing bite with a custom series of clear aligners.

Open Bite

Open bites can develop for several reasons, including prolonged thumb-sucking as a child and genetics. Luckily, Invisalign is usually an option for patients who want a healthier bite without noticeable brackets and wires. To find out if you’re a candidate, schedule a consultation at our office so we can review your dental history, assess the severity of your case, and learn about your day-to-day habits.