Invisalign Litchfield Park AZ
Since its introduction back in the 1990s, Invisalign has helped millions of people enjoy straighter teeth and more beautiful smiles. Today, Invisalign is one of the most popular dental treatment options in the U.S., and for good reason. The clear aligners make orthodontic treatment more discreet, and the alignment technology can help many patients complete their treatment in less time than traditional braces. At our Litchfield Park practice, we help patients of all ages — tweens, teens and adults — enjoy more beautiful smiles with state-of-the-art Litchfield Park Invisalign treatment.
Clear innovation: How Invisalign works
Litchfield Park Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to move your teeth into their correct positions during treatment. The aligners work in a similar way to the brackets and wires used in traditional braces, with a couple of key differences. First, while brackets and wires are pretty much interchangeable from one person to another Invisalign aligners are custom-created to fit your mouth and the shapes of your teeth. No two aligners are the same, and that customization is part of what helps many patients complete their Invisalign treatment faster.
The second big difference has to do with the aligner material. Invisalign aligners use a special patented material called SmartTrack. Not only is the material completely clear (making the aligners virtually invisible in your mouth), but it also works to exert a gentle and continual pressure on your teeth to help them move in the right directions over time. That continual pressure also speeds treatment, and it avoids the need for abrupt monthly tightenings that can cause discomfort. The aligners are made using computer-aided manufacturing techniques for a very precise fit.
What kinds of problems can be treated with Invisalign?
Invisalign aligners might look the same as they did back in the late 1990s, but they’ve actually changed quite a bit. Today, Invisalign Litchfield Park AZ can be used to treat most spacing and alignment issues, like:
- Overbites
- Crossbites
- Underbites
- Open bites
- Crooked teeth
- Spacing problems and gaps between teeth
- Overcrowding
- Bite-related problems
Invisalign Litchfield Park AZ also offers “add-on” options to enable our team to treat more complex issues, making these clear aligners almost as versatile as traditional braces.
Invisalign treatment at our Litchfield Park practice: What to expect
At our Litchfield Park orthodontic office, your Invisalign treatment starts with a series of careful measurements and images of your teeth and your bite. The data we gather is fed into a computer at a lab that specializes in Invisalign fabrication. That computer creates a series of virtual 3D models of your mouth, showing how each tooth needs to move to come into alignment. Those models are used to create your unique series of aligners.
During your treatment, each aligner set is worn for about two weeks. Then you simply swap out your current set of aligners for the next set in the series. Each aligner set has a slightly different shape, and it’s those differences that help your teeth move in the right directions. You’ll visit us about once every six weeks so we can check your progress and make any necessary adjustments. Most patients complete their Invisalign treatment in 12 to 18 months, but your treatment time will vary depending on your individual needs.
Benefits of Invisalign Litchfield Park AZ
Invisalign’s clear design is arguably its most popular feature, but there are plenty of other benefits, too:
- The aligners are really comfortable. The smooth design means there are no sharp brackets or wires to cause sore spots or snag your lips. The SmartTrack material also makes the aligners easier to slip on and off.
- You can eat what you want. Since you remove your aligners before meals and snacks, you don’t have to worry about avoiding certain foods like you do with braces.
- It’s easier to care for your teeth. You take off your aligners to brush and floss, too. No new care routines to worry about.
- Invisalign works faster than braces for most patients.
- The aligners are easy to care for. Just clean them with a soft brush and rinse well before popping them back into your mouth.
You’ll wear your aligners for about 22 hours a day, taking them out only for meals and brushing and flossing. When you’re not wearing the aligners, you can keep them in their special case to protect them and keep them from getting bent or damaged.
See an Orthodontist for Invisalign treatment
Orthodontics is a complex medical treatment that involves moving the whole tooth — from the tips to the roots. In fact, your teeth can’t move into alignment unless the roots move, too. As those roots shift positions, the bone surrounding them has to reshape and remodel itself to accommodate the roots’ new positions. Bone remodeling is a complex process that needs to be managed by an orthodontist. Make sure you are straightening your teeth with the guidance and oversight of an orthodontic professional.
Orthodontic treatment is a lifetime investment, and your results can have an impact on your appearance and your health for many years to come. It’s not a good idea to try to cut corners with any type of medical treatment, including orthodontics. Your oral health is important. Our team will work with you individually to customize your treatment and make adjustments over time, as your treatment progresses. Plus, we’re always on hand if you have questions or concerns, so you can feel confident in both your treatment and your long-term results.
Dunn Orthodontics: Top-rated Litchfield Park Invisalign dentist
Invisalign is changing the way people think about orthodontic treatment — and it’s also helping millions of people of all ages enjoy more beautiful smiles. If you’d like to learn more about Litchfield Park Invisalign and find out if it’s a good choice for you or your child, give us a call at 602-864-0004 and schedule a visit at our Litchfield Park office today.