Invisalign is a clear aligner system that will discreetly straighten your teeth without the hassle of wearing metal braces. This orthodontic treatment has offered many people the benefit of achieving a straighter smile with little hassle and interruption to their daily lives. Dr. Jason Baldwin is an Invisalign dentist conveniently located in Truckee, CA. He also serves patients from Reno, NV who desire straighter teeth and improved dental health with Invsialign.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a series of custom-made ultra-thin aligners made of ultra-clear, hard-soft plastic that is very durable. They are made from 3-D images of your teeth and fabricated to your exact specifications and needs.
You will wear a set of these aligners for about two weeks before moving on to the next set. In doing this, your teeth will slowly move into proper alignment in about six to twelve months. They should be worn for about 22 hours a day. You should only remove your aligners to eat and brush your teeth.
Invisalign vs. Braces
Many people, especially adults, want straight teeth but would rather their orthodontic treatment not impact the appearance of their smile. Traditional braces have a bad reputation because they are bulky and anything but discreet. They are made of brackets bonded to each tooth and connected by a thin metal wire. These parts protrude from the teeth and can often cause discomfort. Sometimes, they can scratch or cut the inside of your lips.
The Invisalign aligners are invisible and hardly noticeable compared to metal braces, which are very noticeable and unsightly. Since the clear aligners are made from molds of your teeth, they sit comfortably against your teeth.
Everyone knows that wearing braces involves avoiding a whole list of foods. One of the greatest benefits of Invisalign is that it can be removed. This means you can eat anything you want without fearing food getting stuck in your teeth, a common occurrence when wearing braces.
Also, since the invisible braces can be removed, you can brush your teeth and floss as you normally would. With braces, once they go on, they remain in place for the length of the treatment, which can last a few years. Being able to remove the aligners to brush your teeth also eliminates the risk of tooth enamel staining from permanently attached metal brackets.
How does Invisalign work?
A consultation with Dr. Baldwin at his Reno, NV, area dentist office will determine if you qualify for Invisalign. He can typically recommend this clear aligner system as a cosmetic dentistry treatment for:
- Crooked or misaligned teeth
- Crossbite
- Overbite
- Underbite
Dr. Baldwin will create a customized treatment plan by first taking 3-D images of your mouth and teeth. He uses an iTero scanner to take these digital images quickly. You can also see a simulated outcome of your results using this innovative technology.
Those images are then sent to the Invisalign laboratory, where a series of clear aligners are made for your teeth. When your aligners are ready, Dr. Baldwin will advise you on how to use them and care for them properly. Each pair is worn for about two weeks before switching to the next set.
The length of your treatment depends on your condition and your cosmetic goals. Most patients achieve the results they want in under a year. Your last set of aligners will serve as retainers to maintain your new, straighter smile.