Brace-Free Orthodontic Treatment
Invisalign
If you’d like to correct the alignment of your smile in Round Rock, Dr. Reddy and the team at SmileWell Dental are here to help. With Invisalign, you can correct most minor-to-moderate orthodontic problems without wearing braces. Give us a call at (512) 677-7411 for a complimentary consultation to see if Invisalign is right for you!
What Is Invisalign?
Understanding The Basics
Invisalign is an alternative to traditional methods of straightening crooked teeth. Instead of brackets, rubber bands, and wires, Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic “aligners.” These aligners are made of a thin plastic material and look similar to a night guard for teeth grinding or a retainer. Each set of aligners is designed to shift the position of your teeth slowly by exerting gentle, even pressure on the teeth. By switching through a series of different aligners, you can correct the position of your teeth without wearing unsightly and uncomfortable metal braces.
You will wear each set of aligners for 20-22 hours per day for 2 weeks. You’ll also have quick checkups with Dr. Reddy every 4-6 weeks. At these appointments, she’ll make sure your teeth are tracking, give you instructions if they are not, or give you your next several sets of aligners as you progress through treatment. With a faster average treatment time than traditional braces, you can have the smile of your dreams in less than a year.
Straighten Your Smile
What Can Invisalign Correct?
Invisalign is intended to correct minor-to-moderate orthodontic problems including gaps in your smile, minor jaw positioning issues, and slightly crooked, uneven, or crowded teeth. It’s ideal for patients who do not have severe orthodontic problems, and usually delivers faster results when compared to braces.
However, Invisalign cannot be used to correct severely crooked teeth, or major jaw alignment problems. If you have serious orthodontic issues, traditional braces are a better option for correcting your smile.
Not sure if you qualify as a candidate for Invisalign treatment, or if you’d be better off with braces? To find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, visit us at SmileWell Dental for an complimentary orthodontic consultation with Dr. Reddy.
Convenient, Comfortable, Discrete
The Benefits Of Invisalign?
The primary oral health benefit of Invisalign is that your aligners can be removed to eat, drink, brush, and floss. This means that, compared to braces, it’s significantly easier to clean your teeth and maintain proper oral hygiene. There are also no dietary restrictions when wearing Invisalign.
Another oral health benefit of Invisalign is that there are no metal components to poke at your mouth and irritate your oral tissue. Braces often cause mouth sores until you get used to them. These sores are harmless, but can be uncomfortable.
Beyond its oral health benefits, Invisalign is also nearly invisible when worn, and takes less time than metal braces to correct your smile and your bite.
how long does
invisalign treatment Take?
This depends on the patient, but most patients need about a year of treatment with Invisalign for the best results. If you have minor orthodontic issues, your treatment may take only six months, or if you have more severe problems with your teeth, it may take 12-18 months for your treatment to be completed.
If you’re interested in learning more, the best way to get an accurate estimate of the length of your treatment is to contact SmileWell Dental for a consultation with Dr. Reddy. She can examine your mouth and your teeth, and provide you with more details about how long your Invisalign treatment may take in Round Rock.
Discomfort During Treatment
is invisalign painful?
Invisalign will cause some pain and discomfort. This can’t be avoided, since it’s your body’s natural reaction to the pressure that’s being placed on your teeth. The good news is that Invisalign does not usually cause as much pain and discomfort as braces.
This is because your teeth will tend to move more gradually. There also are no pointy metal components that could poke or irritate your oral tissue, which is a common complaint among patients with braces.
In addition, you will only experience discomfort for a day or two after switching to a new set of aligners. After this, your teeth will become used to their new positions, and your pain will lessen.
Dr. Reddy will provide you with instructions on how to manage discomfort, such as drinking ice water, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, and taking other such steps. This will help you enjoy a more comfortable Invisalign treatment process.
Can I switch to invisalign
if i have braces?
This depends on a few different factors.
First, you must be a good candidate for Invisalign. Often, braces are recommended for patients who have more serious orthodontic issues because Invisalign simply will not provide the best results for their situation. If this is the case for you, you can’t switch to Invisalign, and you will need to keep your braces.
Both Invisalign and braces tend to work better when the entire treatment is planned out from the start, too. If you switch from one to the other in the middle of your treatment, a lot more work must be done by your dentists to ensure a smooth transition, and this could cause major treatment delays.
Finally, switching from braces to Invisalign may cost you a lot of money. Due to the contract you signed when you began treatment, you may have to pay your orthodontist the full cost of your treatment, even if you decide to switch providers and discontinue treatment. You also will have to pay full price for Invisalign, in most cases.
It’s not impossible to switch to Invisalign if you have braces. But it will take time and a lot of money, so we highly recommend that you decide which treatment is right for you before you sign up and begin straightening your teeth. This will save you a lot of time, money, and headaches.