Invisalign Clear Braces
No Metal Braces
Whether a patient is young or just young at heart, all of our dentists agree that they should receive a checkup and cleaning at least once
every six months.
If you opted out of braces as a teen, you may think that means you’re stuck with an uneven smile unless you want to deal with the hassles of traditional braces as an adult. Luckily, Shipley’s Dental Care of Millersville offers an alternative – Invisalign clear braces.
These routine exams give them the chance to catch problems early so they can be treated quickly and conservatively, plus professional cleanings can remove plaque and tartar from those areas of the mouth a brush and floss simply can’t reach. With regular preventive visits and consistent oral hygiene at home, a patient can enjoy a cavity-free smile for years to come.
Why Choose Shipley’s Dental Care for Invisalign Braces?
Invisalign Certified Dentist
Fast, Convenient Smile Alignment Solution
Share Camera-Ready Smiles Throughout Treatment
The Benefits of Invisalign
Optimal Oral Hygiene
Patients who wear metal braces often have a hard time cleaning between teeth and around their orthodontic appliance. They’re also encouraged to purchase additional supplies and instruments to ensure an effective clean. Invisalign eliminates this problem because the trays must be removed before brushing and flossing can begin.
While you will need to clean your teeth more frequently (after each meal), this process will be much smoother and less cumbersome, which means you can enjoy better oral health and hygiene throughout your treatment.
Greater Flexibility
Invisalign offers a more flexible approach to orthodontic treatment. Not only is it non-invasive, unlike metal braces that are bonded to the surfaces of teeth, but it does not inhibit your daily lifestyle or routine.
You can continue to eat your favorite foods, maintain a normal oral hygiene routine, and enjoy more convenient follow-up appointments, which is helpful if you are a busy student or professional.
Clear, Transparent Aligners
Invisalign aligners are made of clear plastic, so they are highly discreet. This is a preferred benefit among self-conscious teenagers and adults. Their transparency makes it harder for others to notice your braces, so you can remain confident when talking to others or smiling in a photo.
Another advantage of wearing clear aligners is that they will not be visible when participating in a big event, such as a wedding or reunion. Instead of worrying about shiny metal showing up in photographs, all you’ll see is a straighter set of teeth.
Smooth Trays That Offer Greater Comfort
The material that is used to create Invisalign aligners is designed to be smooth so that minimal irritation (if any) occurs. Unlike metal brackets and wires that protrude and rub against your gums, lips, cheeks, and tongue, Invisalign glides seamlessly across these soft oral tissues, reducing the chances of irritation.
While minor soreness may occur when initially wearing a new set of aligners, it is only temporary and can be easily managed with an OTC medication.
Greater Confidence In Your Appearance
Traditional braces often do not help when it comes to feeling confident in your appearance; however, Invisalign is the complete opposite. Whether you’re planning a sales pitch to a specific client, preparing to give a speech before the class, or meeting someone new, your clear aligners will blend in seamlessly so that you can remain confident in the way you look.
Faster Follow-Up Appointments
Throughout Invisalign treatment, you will be expected to maintain regular follow-up appointments with our Shipley’s Dental Care team. These are normally every 6-8 weeks and only last 30 minutes maximum. Since there is no wire to tighten or replace, you can expect to spend less time in the treatment chair – a drastic difference for anyone wearing traditional braces, as these visits can require an hour or more because of the adjustments that often need to be made.
You can expect your follow-up appointments to focus more on making sure your teeth are continuing to move in the right direction.
Types of Invisalign Treatment
The Invisalign company offers two treatment options – traditional Invisalign for adults and Invisalign Teen.
Whether you’re an adult who doesn’t want to spend years with metal braces or a busy teen who can’t keep up with all the orthodontist appointments, Invisalign alignment tray orthodontics may be a better solution. Keep reading to learn more about the clear braces orthodontic process or call the Shipley’s Dental Care team to schedule a consultation to discuss Invisalign in Millersville.
Invisalign for Adults
The traditional Invisalign system shifts smiles into alignment over the course of twelve months of treatment or less. Depending on the individual case, most people complete treatment with 20 to 30 sets of alignment trays (one every week on average). Depending on the individual circumstances, patients will only need to come into our office about every six to eight weeks for a quick checkup to ensure their smile is moving according to plan.
Invisalign Teen
For teens, Invisalign has a unique system that offers the same treatment technique with a few added features that help younger patients stay on track with their Invisalign treatment. Some of the added elements of Invisalign Teen include a few free replacement aligners and built-in tracking technology that allows dentists and parents to determine whether or not teens are wearing their aligners as directed.
How Do I Care for My Invisalign Aligners?
With Invisalign, there’s no need to give up your favorite foods or change the way you brush and floss your teeth. Caring for your alignment trays only requires a few extra minutes during your daily oral hygiene routine and between meals. When you brush and floss your teeth, take a few minutes to brush your aligners as well. Whenever possible after a meal, we recommend taking the time to brush your teeth and the aligners. If you don’t have time to brush between meals, at least take a few minutes to rinse out your mouth and clean off your aligner trays with water after you eat. When you don’t have the alignment trays in your mouth, you should make sure to store the aligners in their carrying case to prevent them from being warped or broken. You should always use cool water when cleaning the alignment trays as warm water can cause the alignment tray to warp.
Invisalign FAQ’s
If you’re ready to do something about your misaligned smile, you won’t regret choosing Invisalign in Millersville. Our team at Shipley’s Dental Care understands that although you may be eager to start the process, you likely have many questions about Invisalign and what life will be like throughout treatment. Fortunately, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions that you can review before meeting with our team. Feel free to take a look and if you don’t see yours listed, give us a call to schedule an appointment.
Does Wearing Invisalign Aligners Hurt?
If you’ve worn metal braces before, or you know someone who has undergone orthodontic treatment, you may be worried that your Invisalign aligners will hurt. Unlike metal brackets and wires that are forcibly tightened, Invisalign causes minimal discomfort. First, there are no protruding pieces of metal to rub against your soft tissues because Invisalign is made of smooth plastic. Second, while there will be some soreness because of your tooth movement, this can be remedied with an over-the-counter pain reliever and should dissipate in a few days.
Are There Certain Foods I Can Eat During Treatment?
One of the greatest benefits of Invisalign is that you can eat all your favorite foods! There are virtually no food restrictions when choosing this type of orthodontic treatment. Metal braces can make it difficult to eat some of the foods you love because of how easy it is for small pieces to get stuck in your brackets and wires; however, with Invisalign, you’re required to remove your trays before eating. This makes it easy to enjoy meals and worry less about the impact it has on your braces.
Can I Expect Invisalign to Change the Way I Talk?
You will notice that initially, your voice will sound a bit different. You’ll likely develop a slight lisp, but this will quickly go away the more you practice talking. Remember, the oral structures inside your mouth (i.e., your tongue, cheeks, lips, and teeth) must adjust to these new objects (your trays). As you begin to speak or even read aloud, you’ll find that it becomes easier to say certain words, syllables, or phrases. In just a few weeks, you can expect that you’ll sound more like your normal self.
Can I Wear Invisalign if I’ve Had Metal Braces Before?
In most cases, patients who previously wore metal braces can undergo Invisalign treatment. The choice, however, is up to our team at Shipley’s Dental Care. We will need to evaluate your current oral health to determine if the shift in your teeth and/or bite is significant enough. If we find that Invisalign will not produce the kind of results you need, you’ll likely be required to return to metal braces. However, if your teeth or bite have shifted only slightly, there is a good chance that you’ll be cleared to receive clear aligners.
Am I a Candidate for Invisalign?
In the early days of Invisalign treatment, it was only recommended for mild orthodontic treatment like correcting slightly uneven tooth spacing, but as the materials and techniques have been improved over the years, Invisalign clear braces can treat almost any case, including over, under, and crossbite. During your consultation visit, we will examine your smile and help you determine whether or not Invisalign is the right option for your smile.