Thinking about straightening your smile? Then you’ve probably considered treatment with Invisalign. This state-of-the-art system isn’t only a proven, effective way to straighten your teeth — it’s also a much more discreet option than traditional braces. In fact, Invisalign aligners are so comfortable that you’ll barely notice them and they’re nearly impossible to see! So if you want to get straighter teeth incognito-style, Invisalign might be the orthodontic treatment for you.
But before you go full steam ahead on treatment, you probably have a few questions. How does Invisalign work? What are those aligners made of and how do they straighten your teeth? Well, as Platinum Invisalign Providers in Upstate South Carolina, Dr. Buddy and Dr. Adam are experts in Invisalign. Here, Carolina Oaks is sharing everything you need to know about the Invisalign procedure so you can make the best choice for your smile.
Step 1: Have a Free Consultation with Dr. Buddy or Dr. Adam
Like any orthodontic treatment, your new smile kicks off with a complimentary consultation. You’ll come into our office where a member of the Carolina Oaks Orthodontics team will take digital x-rays and photos of your teeth and face. Then, we’ll do an examination of your mouth and use this information to develop a diagnosis.
As we mentioned, we are a Platinum Invisalign Provider, so we have the knowledge and experience to help you achieve your perfect smile — even in more complex cases. During your consultation, we’ll tell you exactly what to expect from Invisalign treatment. We’ll chat about the length of treatment, how much it will cost, and insurance coverage, as well as answer any questions you have. We can even show you what your results will look like post-treatment with the Invisalign Outcome Simulator. Pretty cool, right?
Step 2: We’ll Create a 3D Image of Your Mouth
Next up, it’s time to bust out the technology. We will use our iTero® scanner to comfortably take high-resolution images of your teeth, jaws and gums. No more goopy, messy molds here! This is the gold standard in orthodontic technology. The data we collect will go into our computer program and a 3D model of your mouth will be created. One of our Upstate South Carolina orthodontists will then move each individual tooth directly on the screen to create the most accurate treatment plan possible. We’ll then send this prescription directly to Invisalign to make your custom aligners.
Step 3: Pick Up Your Custom Aligners
Now Invisalign works its magic. Invisalign will use Carolina Oaks’ specifications to create a series of clear, plastic, removable aligners that are custom made just for you. Over time, these aligners will progressively straighten your teeth. When your aligners arrive at our office, you’ll come to pick them up. And then it’s up to you to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. Yes, really. You should only take them out to eat, brush your teeth and floss. The number of aligners you’ll need over the course of treatment varies by patient, but most people require between 18 and 30.
Step 4: Wear Your Aligners for At Least 20 Hours Per day
We’re saying it again because we can’t stress this enough. For Invisalign to be effective, you have to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day. If you don’t, you’ll stall your treatment time and it’ll only take longer to see your dream smile. We want you to get the most out of your Invisalign treatment — so trust us on this!
As you move through treatment, you’ll pop in a new set of aligners every one to two weeks. Each time you do, your teeth will move a little closer to their final positions. Unlike with traditional braces, we don’t need to do adjustments, but we’ll have you come by for a quick progress check every six to eight weeks to make sure your treatment is on track.
Step 5: Show Off Your New Smile
And now the part we’ve all been waiting for. Once you take out that last set of aligners, you’ll have a gorgeous, healthy new smile! All that patience, hard work and diligence will be totally worth it when you see the brand new you smiling in the mirror. But even though you’re done with the treatment phase of Invisalign, there’s still some work to do to maintain your results.
If left to their own devices, your teeth will gradually shift back to their original positions, which we obviously don’t want. That’s why you’ll need to wear a retainer after treatment. Once your treatment ends, we’ll fit you for a custom retainer. In the beginning, you’ll have to wear it every day but over time, you can switch to wearing it only at night. Trust us: a retainer is key to maintaining your new smile. So wear it according to our instructions and you’ll be able to enjoy your straight smile for life.
Still have questions about how Invisalign works? Ready to find out if Invisalign is right for you? Call Carolina Oaks Orthodontics to book a complimentary consultation today.
