When it comes to oral health, you want safe and comfortable options.
If you’re looking for a way to improve the appearance of your smile, you may want to consider Invisalign. It is a virtually invisible orthodontic treatment that utilises custom-crafted aligners. Invisalign is a viable alternative to braces if you have crooked teeth, teeth misalignments, gaps between teeth, and crowded teeth.
Using clear plastic trays instead of traditional metal braces may be questionable at first. However, you can rest assured that these invisible braces are safe and reliable. This revolutionary technology has become increasingly popular among dental patients. It is appealing to people seeking a less invasive approach to corrective dentistry.
In this blog post, we’ll explore all aspects of Invisalign safety. We hope you make an informed decision about whether Invisalign can help you achieve a beautiful smile with healthier, straighter teeth.
Content Navigation
- How Does Invisalign Straighten the Teeth?
- Is it Safe to Wear Invisalign?
- Are there Complications with Invisalign Treatment?
- What Can I Do to Prevent Invisalign Complications?
- What are the Benefits of Having Invisalign Treatment?
- Do the Benefits of Invisalign Treatment Outweigh the Complications?
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Invisalign Straighten the Teeth?
Invisalign is a dental treatment that uses a series of clear, customised, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth. It works the same way as traditional braces. It uses constant pressure over time to shift teeth into the desired position.
The Invisalign process begins with an initial consultation with your orthodontist. They will take digital scans producing 3D images of your teeth. These are then used to create a detailed treatment plan and a series of plastic trays (aligners). As you progress through the Invisalign treatment process, you’ll move through different sets of plastic aligners. Your teeth will continue to shift into their final desired position.
Invisalign allows you to straighten your smile comfortably and discreetly. In 6-18 months (or less), people who use Invisalign can see the results they were striving for. However, Invisalign is not suitable for everybody. Cases of severe misalignment and other complex issues may benefit from other forms of orthodontic treatment.
Is it Safe to Wear Invisalign?
Invisalign is becoming one of the most popular ways to straighten teeth and get a beautiful, confident smile. The safety of Invisalign is well established, with no long-term concerns. You can feel secure in your decision to wear Invisalign.
Invisalign aligners are made from medical-grade polyurethane resin. This flexible material makes them comfortable to wear. Its use has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). It has been proven to be an effective treatment in addressing mild to moderate cases of teeth misalignment. The safety of Invisalign makes it a preferred option for many people seeking to improve the aesthetics of their smiles. Invisalign is also safe for pregnant women because it won’t harm the baby. However, it would be more challenging than usual. This is because:
- Some pregnancy hormones can make teeth less stable.
- The hormones estrogen and progesterone increase during pregnancy. These also increase the risk of tooth decay and other oral health problems.
- Pregnancy hormones affect the way your teeth respond to bacteria and plaque buildup. These can cause gums to swell, leading to pain and discomfort.
- Gum sensitivity and bleeding are common in pregnant women. This can affect Invisalign aligner treatment.
- Some pregnant women experience morning sickness. This may cause them to remove their aligners more often.
Those planning to get pregnant are advised to start treatment a month before conception. However, if you’re already pregnant, talk to your doctor or dentist. Ask them about potential risks and other oral health concerns.
Are there Complications with Invisalign Treatment?
Although Invisalign can benefit your oral health in the long run, it’s important to be aware of the potential complications that could arise from Invisalign treatment.
These can include:
- Pain or soreness in the mouth due to the contours of the aligner irritating the teeth or gums.
- Difficulty removing the aligner due to tightness on certain teeth.
- Speech impediments, as the aligners, can make it hard to form certain sounds while they’re in place.
- Misalignment from using too few sets of trays in their treatment plan. This means that too much time passes between tray changes, making it difficult for the teeth to move into position correctly.
- Tooth decay occurs if you do not properly clean your teeth and aligners, as food particles can become trapped within them.
These common risks can be minimised or avoided altogether with proper care and guidance from an orthodontist.
What Can I Do to Prevent Invisalign Complications?
As with any orthodontic treatment, it’s important to consider potential complications to help achieve the ideal outcome. Here are five tips that can help you avoid Invisalign complications:
- Make sure to wear your aligner trays as directed. They should only be out when eating, drinking something other than water, or brushing and flossing.
- Clean aligners daily with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap. This will help prevent bacteria from building up on them.
- Avoid chewing on hard food such as ice or hard candy since this can damage your aligners.
- Maintain good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing at least twice a day.
- Schedule regular appointments to monitor the progress of your treatment.
Following these tips can give you peace of mind that you are doing all you can to get the ideal results from your Invisalign treatment!
What are the Benefits of Having Invisalign Treatment?
There are many benefits of Invisalign treatment, such as:
- Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible. This makes them attractive to people who may not want to draw attention to the fact that they are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
- With Invisalign, it is easy to maintain oral hygiene throughout the process. The aligners can be removed during brushing and flossing.
- Because the aligners are made from a single mould of your teeth, they have a comfortable fit.
- Invisalign treatment doesn’t require any metal hardware, unlike conventional metal braces. Thus, there is no need to worry about wires or brackets irritating your mouth or causing discomfort.
- Invisalign uses precision technology to provide more efficient treatment than traditional methods. Customised trays are replaced every two weeks.
In short, Invisalign offers benefits in both aesthetics and comfort. This makes it a great alternative to achieving a straight smile.
Do the Benefits of Invisalign Treatment Outweigh the Complications?
When it comes to choosing orthodontic treatment, Invisalign offers many benefits over traditional braces. For most dental patients, the benefits of Invisalign far outweigh any potential complications.
Not only can Invisalign address common orthodontic issues, such as crowded or misaligned teeth and incorrect bites, but it’s also virtually invisible. This means you can enjoy your smile without feeling self-conscious about metal brace attachments or elastic wires.
Additionally, Invisalign makes cleaning your teeth much easier than other orthodontic treatments as the aligners are removable – so there won’t be food caught in difficult-to-reach places.
Final Thoughts
Many dental professionals consider Invisalign a safe orthodontic treatment option due to its gentle and effective teeth-straightening approach. The medical-grade materials used in the treatment are designed so that the entire treatment process is safe and comfortable.
Our team at Comfort Care Dental has extensive experience with the Invisalign system. We are proud to offer this gentle and effective approach to teeth straightening. Schedule a consultation today, so we can answer your questions and see if Invisalign is right for you. We know you will love the results!
Frequently Asked Questions
The answer, of course, depends on the patient and how much straightening the teeth require. On average, people achieve their desired results after 12 months – but this can range from 6 to 18 months.
Ultimately, your orthodontist can devise a suitable treatment plan for your dental case. Wearing your Invisalign 20-22 hours a day will help you get the smile you deserve in a timely manner.
It is important to wear your Invisalign for 20-22 hours per day to get the most out of your treatment. If you don’t wear your aligners as often as recommended, it can:
- Slow down your treatment progress
- Extend treatment time
- Delay achieving desired results
It is important to remove your Invisalign when eating, drinking or engaging in physical activity. Eating and drinking with Invisalign can cause staining and discolouration and damage the aligners, making them less effective.
Additionally, food particles can get stuck between your aligners and teeth, leading to cavities or gum disease. Therefore, it is important to always remove your aligners when eating and drinking and brush your teeth afterwards.
You should visit your dentist for check-ups every 6-8 weeks throughout treatment. During these visits, your dentist can check if you’re progressing with the treatment. They can also evaluate if any adjustments need to be made. Additionally, regular visits are important to help keep your gums and teeth healthy.