Invisalign Clear Aligners Falmouth
When Better Oral Health Means Straightening Your Smile
Living with crooked or misaligned teeth can cause you to feel self-conscious about the way you look. Not to mention, these problems can make eating and even speaking more difficult. However, with Invisalign in Falmouth, Dr. Hill and our team at Hill Dental Wellness can bring teeth into proper alignment, letting you embrace a more confident and beautiful smile. Call us today to schedule an appointment to find out if Invisalign is right for you.
Why Choose Hill Dental Wellness for Invisalign Clear Aligners?
- Dentist with Extensive Invisalign Training & Experience
- In-House Dental Membership Plan Available
- Caring Dental Team Members Who Put Patients’ Needs First
How Invisalign Works
Using a series of clear aligners that are custom-made based on the progression of your smile throughout treatment, Invisalign is a more subtle and flexible alternative to traditional metal braces. These aligners are worn 20-22 hours each day to ensure teeth move accordingly. After 1-2 weeks, you will be required to change out your existing trays for a new set so that your pearly whites will continue to shift. As you maintain your follow-up appointments with Dr. Hill, she will make changes if necessary until you reach your smile goals.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Fortunately, Invisalign isn’t just for patients who are struggling with overcrowding and spacing issues; it can also help those who are experiencing low self-esteem, trouble chewing properly, and difficulty enunciating clearly due to common bite problems, like overbites. So, if you are interested in pursuing a healthier and more confident smile with clear aligners, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation at our office! In the meantime, you can read on to learn more on the topic of who Invisalign can help.
Crowded Teeth
If your teeth overlap considerably, you might be curious if Invisalign can fix crowded teeth. The short answer is “yes!” If we determine that you’re a good candidate for this discreet orthodontic treatment, then we will have a custom series of aligners made to gently and gradually move your teeth into their ideal places. Oftentimes, the entire process can be completed in just 12-18 months!
Gaps Between Teeth
While some patients are interested in Invisalign because there isn’t enough room in their mouth, others come to our office because there is too much room. Once we complete a comprehensive oral exam and assess the severity of the gaps, we can determine if clear aligners are right for you. If they are, then the process of straightening your teeth won’t involve any metal at all.
Overbite
When you bite down, do your upper teeth protrude beyond your lower ones considerably? If that’s the case, then you may have an overbite. Unfortunately, this bite problem can lead to several issues if left untreated, including difficulty enunciating clearly. That’s why we advise against taking the “wait and see” approach. Instead, come to our office so we can explore your treatment options, like Invisalign.
Underbite
If you’re struggling with low self-esteem or chronic jaw pain because you have an underbite, then you’ll be happy to hear that metal braces may not be your only option. In fact, we’ve helped countless patients achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing smile with clear aligners. So, the journey to your best smile may be more discreet and convenient than you originally thought.
Crossbite
What if only a few of your upper teeth sit behind your lower ones when you bite down? If that’s the case, then you likely have a crossbite, not an underbite. The good news is that Invisalign is usually still an option for patients with mild to moderate cases. Even if additional orthodontic accessories are needed, like rubber bands, you don’t have to worry – they are still more discreet than metal braces.
Open Bite
As you may have guessed from the name, an open bite is when there is a space between the upper and lower teeth that prevents them from meeting evenly. It can develop for several reasons, including prolonged thumb-sucking as a child. Luckily, there are several solutions, including Invisalign. If you’re a candidate, then a custom series of aligners will be made to move your teeth and bite into alignment.
Benefits of Invisalign
For years, patients who wanted a straighter smile had one choice: traditional braces. While the metal brackets and wires are certainly effective, they aren’t the most discreet, comfortable, or convenient. Fortunately, Invisalign is all of those things and more! If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of clear aligners, then read on.
Basically Invisible Aligners
Let’s start with one of the most common reasons patients choose Invisalign: there aren’t any metal components. Instead, teeth are gently and gradually moved into their ideal positions with clear, barely noticeable aligners. So, if you choose this smile-perfecting treatment, you’ll have the opportunity to keep it secret!
No Dietary Restrictions
Another benefit of Invisalign: there aren’t any dietary restrictions! Since the aligners are removable, you can enjoy all of your favorite foods. All we ask is that you eat well-balanced meals (while limiting your intake of added sugar) so your teeth and gums stay healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment. This is important because even a small cavity can lead to significant treatment plan delays.
Hassle-Free Dental Care
Oftentimes, patients with traditional braces need pre-threaded floss, interproximal toothbrushes, and other special products to clean around the brackets and wires. With Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about anything getting stuck in your braces or adopting a cumbersome oral hygiene regimen. Just remove your aligners, place them in their designated case, and continue with your usual dental care routine!
Shorter Average Treatment Timeline
Although there are several factors that play a role in how long your treatment timeline is, it usually takes longer to achieve the desired results with traditional braces (around 2-3 years). Invisalign, on the other hand, has an average treatment time of only 12-18 months. So, if you start now, there’s a good chance that you’ll be done with the teeth-straightening process by this time next year!
Improved Comfort
Another perk of having metal-free braces is that they are considerably more comfortable. In fact, many patients who have straightened their teeth with Invisalign report that they didn’t experience any soft tissue irritation! Plus, if one of your aligners does have a rough edge, you can always cover it with some dental wax to protect your gums, your tongue, your lips, or the insides of your cheeks.
Less Time in the Treatment Chair
Since Invisalign allows you to progress through portions of your treatment plan at home, you’ll spend considerably less time at our office. Not only that, but the progress visits are often 30 minutes or less. So, if you have a demanding semester ahead, a big project at work, or something fun, like a summer vacation, you won’t have to worry about your orthodontic treatment getting in the way.
Invisalign FAQs
Does Invisalign Hurt?
This is a very common question, especially among patients who had traditional braces growing up. The good news is that there aren’t metal components or monthly adjustment appointments. Instead, teeth are gently guided into their ideal places with clear, comfortable aligners. Plus, if any discomfort does arise from the movement of your teeth, you can sip on cool water, stick to soft foods, and take OTC pain medication as directed to alleviate it.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Most patients achieve the results they desire in just 12-18 months. Once we know more about your case, including how severe it is, we can provide you with a more precise estimate. We can also share what you can do to avoid lengthy treatment plan delays, starting with wearing your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours each day.
Can I Use Toothpaste to Clean My Invisalign Aligners?
No, you should not use toothpaste, mouthwash, or bleach to clean your Invisalign aligners. All you need to remove saliva, food particles, and other debris on a daily basis is a soft-bristled toothbrush, cool water, and mild dishwashing soap. If you need to wear your trays a little longer than originally planned, then you can use the cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit as well! Just place them in some slightly warm water and allow your aligners to soak in the mixture for 15-20 minutes.
Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Invisalign?
Since Invisalign aligners are removable, they don’t come with a long list of dietary restrictions. In fact, the only rule that you need to keep in mind is that you can’t eat or drink anything other than water with your trays in. Outside of that, do your best to eat well-balanced meals and limit your intake of added sugar. This will go a long way in keeping your teeth and gums healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment.
What Should I Do If I Lose One of My Invisalign Aligners?
We recommend the age-old advice: retrace your steps, starting from the last place you know you had your aligners. Since they are clear, it’s important to be thorough in the process. It’s also important to look in the waste bin in your kitchen, the center console of your car, and other places you might not initially expect.
If you’ve looked everywhere you can think of, but you can’t find your trays anywhere, then call our Falmouth dental team. That way, we can take a look at where you are in the teeth-straightening process and help you decide what to do from there. For instance, if you’re only a day away from progressing to the next set in the series, we may give you the green light to do so a bit early.
Can I Drink Coffee with Invisalign?
Yes! Just make sure to remove your aligners, rinse them with clean water, and place them in their case beforehand. This will prevent them from staining, warping, or accidentally getting misplaced.