Around half of all Americans say they feel insecure about their teeth. Are you part of that group? Many times, these insecurities come from crooked teeth or gaps in the mouth. If you want to feel more confident in your smile, you might be thinking about finally getting that orthodontic treatment you’ve always dreamed about, either in the form of braces or Invisalign. When it comes to Invisalign, how does it work?

How do you know if it’s the right option for your teeth? We’re here to help. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Invisalign so you can make an informed decision for your smile.

Invisalign: How Does It Work?

First, let’s talk about how Invisalign actually works. Unlike metal braces, which are attached to your teeth until the straightening process is complete, Invisalign works through the use of removable clear trays that are fitted to your teeth.

Your orthodontist will use 3D computer imaging technology to map out a plan for your teeth and create the trays accordingly.

When you wear your trays regularly, you’ll start to notice your teeth gradually shifting over time. Then, when you visit your Invisalign dentist, they’ll fit you for new trays as needed. You can usually expect to get new trays every few weeks.

As long as you consistently wear your Invisalign trays, you’ll continue to see improvements in your smile, and before you know it, you’ll have the straight teeth you’ve always wanted.

Who Can Benefit From Invisalign?

Now that you know more about how it works, you might be wondering if Invisalign is even an option for you. The good news is that Invisalign works for teens and adults alike! This is especially helpful if you want to avoid the look of traditional metal braces.

Regardless of your age, Invisalign will straighten your teeth discretely. Not only will this make you feel more confident in your smile, but it could even make you happier! Studies show that smiling can lower stress levels and boost your immune system. If you have a smile that you’re proud of, thanks to Invisalign, you just might find that you feel better overall.

A Closer Look at the Invisalign Process

Now that you know more about Invisalign, what can you expect if you decide to move forward with this treatment plan? Here’s a closer look at the step-by-step process you’ll experience when you work with our team here at Bennion Lambourne Orthodontics.

Initial Consult

First, you’ll come into our office so you can have a face-to-face conversation with our team. During this appointment, we’ll tell you more about how Invisalign works, detail the costs you can expect, and answer any questions you may have.

If you decide to move forward with Invisalign treatment, then we’ll take several x-rays and photographs of your mouth, from multiple angles. We’ll use these to help create a treatment plan that will straighten your teeth in the most effective way possible.

Finally, we’ll take impressions of your teeth that we’ll use to mold your first set of Invisalign trays.

First Fitting

Once your first set of aligners are ready, you’ll come back into the office for a fitting. The Invisalign trays will feel tight at first, but that’s normal! However, they should not be painful.

At this point, we’ll ask you if the aligners feel comfortable so we can make any adjustments if needed. Remember, it might take a while for you to get used to how they feel in your mouth, but you should never be in pain while wearing your trays. Soon enough, you’ll get so used to them that you’ll forget you’re even wearing them.

Follow-up Appointments

After your initial appointment, you’ll get instructions on how often to wear your aligners. As a general rule of thumb, you should only take your aligners out to eat and brush your teeth. Other than that, you need to wear them as much as possible.

Simply put, the less you wear your aligners, the longer it will take for them to work. If you don’t wear them as much as you should, your progress may start to regress, so really try to commit to wearing them.

Every few weeks, you’ll come back into our office for follow-up appointments, so we can check your progress. As your teeth get straighter, you’ll get new sets of trays to continue the progress.

Caring for Your Invisalign Trays

In between appointments, you’ll need to keep your aligners clean. Each morning and night, we recommend soaking your trays in a dental cleaner to help remove buildup and bacteria. This will also prevent the trays from getting food stains and developing an unpleasant smell.

You can also use a gentle toothbrush (but no toothpaste!) to scrub your trays to remove any stubborn buildup. When you come in for your follow-up appointments, we can also clean your trays for you.

Finishing Your Treatment

On average, you can expect the process to take between 12 and 18 months, but timelines vary for each patient. When you come in for your initial appointment, we can give you a more accurate estimate based on your teeth.

If you follow our advice for your treatment plan, before you know it your teeth will be straight and any gaps will be gone!

Straighten Your Smile

After reading through this guide, you now know how to answer the question, “Invisalign: how does it work?” If you’re interested in straightening your smile through this easy and discrete process, we’d love to help you.

Contact our team today to schedule your initial consultation to learn more about how Invisalign can benefit you. A straighter smile that you can be proud of is just a click away!