Modern dental techniques and technology have greatly improved in recent years, giving you more choices than ever to achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. Here at Charvet Dental Center, we’re proud to offer one of the best treatments for straightening your teeth: Invisalign clear aligner therapy. While you’ve likely heard about this innovative system, you may not know much beyond the basics. That’s why we’ve got everything you need to know about Invisalign!
As one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in our Metairie office, Invisalign is a subtle and flexible way to improve your smile! The clear aligners provide the same beautiful results as braces without any metal, wires, or bands. This makes Invisalign especially attractive to adults and teens who prefer to avoid the appearance of traditional braces. It’s also a great choice for athletes, band members, or anyone who would like to continue their active lifestyle uninhibited during treatment.
If you’re not familiar with the Invisalign system, you may be wondering what it is and how our doctors can use it to straighten your smile. Below you’ll find some of the most commonly asked questions about Invisalign, and some of the benefits you can expect from this innovative treatment option. Keep reading to learn more!
What is Invisalign and how does it work?
To understand how the Invisalign system works, it helps to know more about the difference between fixed and removable appliances. Braces are a fixed appliance, meaning the brackets are attached directly to the front of the teeth and can only be removed by an experienced professional.
Invisalign aligners are removable appliances. Although the aligners are custom-designed to fit snugly over your own teeth, no part of them is actually attached directly to the teeth. The Invisalign system uses a series of personalized aligners to shift your teeth by applying constant gentle pressure. They’re made of a special type of thermoplastic resin that is designed to be both comfortable and strong enough to move the teeth into alignment over time. Aligners are virtually invisible, too, something patients love!
In order to accomplish tooth movement, the aligners must be switched out at regular intervals throughout the treatment process as determined by Dr. Charvet and Dr. Charvet Jr. Depending on your particular treatment plan, you can expect to switch aligners out about every 1 weeks. This allows them to keep up with the movements your teeth are making. In order for the system to work as intended, you’ll also need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours daily, throughout the course of treatment. This is very important! Since the aligners are removable, it’s up to you to wear them as directed. Failure to do so can result in a longer treatment time, or interfere with your overall results.
Who is a good candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign can be used to treat a wide variety of alignment issues for teens, adults, and children as young as 7, including crowded teeth, gapped teeth, overbites, and underbites. There are no teeth too complex for Dr. Charvet and Dr. Charvet Jr.’s expertise with Invisalign!
Charvet Dental Center offers free initial consultations, during which our doctors will examine your mouth and assess what treatment, if any, is best for your mouth and your goals! As your certified Invisalign dentists, they can provide you with the best recommendation based on your unique needs, lifestyle, and goals.
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
Every case is different and each patient will respond to treatment in their own way, so there’s no “one size fits all” answer to this question. The amount of time you’ll need to wear aligners will depend on the specifics of your particular case, and can only be determined by Dr. Charvet and Dr. Charvet Jr. after your initial evaluation. In general, however, most patients will need to wear aligners for about 9-18 months.
Is Invisalign an affordable treatment option?
At Charvet Dental Center, we believe in providing patients of all ages with affordable, high-quality care, and that includes Invisalign treatment. Your first consultation will include a breakdown of all applicable treatment fees. For your convenience, we accept all major credit cards and low monthly payment options tailored to your budget.
As an additional courtesy, our team will verify any orthodontic insurance benefits and file all claims on your behalf. We want to ensure you get the most out of your coverage and provide a stress-free experience down to the smallest detail.
What are the benefits of the Invisalign system?
Freedom
The biggest reason patients choose Invisalign is that it offers an incredibly discreet way to get a healthier, straighter smile! This can be a major benefit for anyone feeling self-conscious about undergoing orthodontic treatment. Removability is another feature our patients love. This system lets you remove your aligners for short periods of time, so you can let your natural smile shine through for special occasions like weddings, senior pictures, and prom.
Comfort
Invisalign aligners are made of a special thermoplastic material that is customized for a comfortable fit, even when wearing them for a majority of the day. The plastic is light and smooth, and unlike metal braces, there aren’t any wires or metal brackets that can irritate your mouth, gums, or cheeks.
Flexibility
Food restrictions are often one of the biggest learning curves for braces patients. So much of our daily life revolves around food that it can be difficult to say no to so many common snacks and treats, including popcorn, nuts, chips, and lots of candy. Because Invisalign aligners are removed at mealtimes, you’ll still be able to eat just about everything you normally would, as long as you remember to brush and floss afterward. Invisalign treatment means never having to sacrifice your favorite foods for the sake of your smile!
The benefits of Invisalign don’t stop at the dinner table, though. Wearing braces while participating in athletics of any kind can put you at risk of broken brackets and wires, irritation, and pain. With Invisalign, aligners can be removed before practice or the big game and replaced with a regular mouthguard. The aligner is simply popped back in once you’re off the court or field.
Musicians benefit from this removability, too. For those who play wind instruments, braces can sometimes get in the way. Invisalign aligners can be removed during practice or concerts, leaving you free to make all the music your heart desires!
Simpler oral hygiene
Having a good oral hygiene routine is important for everybody, but especially orthodontic patients. Brushing and flossing with traditional braces can be a little tricky, and many patients find it difficult to get into all the little nooks and crannies created by their brackets and wires. Since Invisalign aligners are removed prior to brushing, taking care of your teeth and gums is as easy as ever! Cleaning the aligners themselves couldn’t be easier, either. There are cleaning kits specifically for this job, or you can just brush and rinse them with warm water instead.
Get the smile you deserve with Invisalign from Charvet Dental Center
With removable aligners that are comfortable, clear, and as effective as traditional braces, it’s no wonder Invisalign continues to grow in popularity year after year!
If you’re in Metairie or the surrounding area and would like to learn more about how Invisalign could benefit you, get in touch today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Charvet and Dr. Charvet Jr. There’s no better time than now to take your first step towards the beautiful smile you deserve!