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Straighter Smiles Without Braces
Transform Your Smile with Invisalign!
Want to straighten your smile without braces? With Invisalign from Forest Lake dentist Dr. Jonathan Siverson from Forest Lake Smiles, you can get a beautiful smile without bulky, uncomfortable metal braces. Call our cosmetic dentist today at (651) 464-8207 to get started!
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Understanding the Basics
How Does Invisalign Work?
Instead of bulky, unsightly metal braces and wires, Invisalign uses a series of thin, clear plastic “aligners.” These aligners look similar to a retainer or a night guard for teeth grinding.
Each aligner is designed to gently shift your teeth toward the proper position over a period of about two weeks. By switching through multiple sets of aligners, you can shift your teeth toward the correct alignment, and get a straighter smile and a healthier bite.
However, it’s important to note that Invisalign is not quite as powerful or versatile as metal braces. If you have serious orthodontic problems, traditional braces may be a better option for you.
What Can I Expect?
The Invisalign Process
The process will begin with an orthodontic consultation at Forest Lake Smiles. Dr. Jonathan Siverson will perform a comprehensive oral exam, and determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. If you’re approved for treatment, he’ll take images and dental impressions of your teeth.
Then, Dr. Siverson will work with Invisalign to develop your treatment plan, and build your first several sets of aligners. This process usually takes about a month. We will let you know when you can come back to our office to pick up your first several sets of Invisalign aligners.
Each set of aligners is meant to be worn for 20-22 hours per day. Typically, you’ll switch to a new set of aligners about every 2 weeks. About every 6 weeks, you’ll come back to our office for a quick check-up, and to receive your next several sets of aligners.
This process will continue until your treatment is complete. Most Invisalign patients require somewhere between 20-24 sets of aligners to straighten their teeth. However, your treatment time may be longer or shorter, depending on the extent of your orthodontic problems.
how quickly do teeth move
with invisalign?
Invisalign moves your teeth relatively quickly. In most cases, each aligner will move your teeth about .25mm within the first three days of switching to a new set of aligners. This can vary depending on your treatment plan, as well.
However, it will take about two weeks for the “cementum” of your teeth to adjust to this new position and re-attach to your jaw bone in the new position, which is why Invisalign aligners usually have to be worn for at least 2 weeks at a time.
To make your teeth move more quickly, the best thing you can do is stay consistent about wearing your aligners. Keep them on for at least 20-22 hours per day, and remove them only when brushing and flossing. Remember, the more you wear your aligners, the more effective they will be!
will it hurt to get
treatment with invisalign?
Similarly to braces, Invisalign does involve shifting your teeth out of their natural positions using pressure applied by the aligners. As you may expect, this can result in some pain and discomfort while your teeth get adjusted to their new position.
While most people who get Invisalign will experience less pain compared to getting braces, some discomfort should be expected. This is usually the most severe right when you switch to a new set of aligners. After a few days, your teeth will feel normal again, and you won’t experience any more discomfort until it’s time to swap to a new set of aligners.
Dr. Siverson often recommends that patients wear their new set of aligners before they go to bed, so that they will be asleep as their teeth adjust to a new pair of Invisalign aligners.
You can also use Invisalign “chewies” to help your aligners move into position faster, and the pressure of chewing can help you get relief from discomfort. Over-the-counter medicine like ibuprofen may also help with your pain.
In addition, we recommend that you avoid hard and crunchy foods for a few days after you wear a new set of aligners. Stick to soft foods and liquids to avoid putting too much pressure on your teeth. Drinking cold water can also help numb your teeth and gums and help with discomfort.
how often do I need
to come in for follow ups?
This depends on the specifics of your case, but most Invisalign patients will need to see a dentist about every 4-6 weeks to get a quick checkup, and to get their next few sets of aligners.
During your appointment at Forest Lake Smiles, Dr. Siverson will check your teeth and make sure that your Invisalign treatment is progressing properly. Then, he will give you 2-3 more sets of aligners, as well as instructions on when to switch to each set.
That’s it! You’ll usually spend less than 15 minutes in the dentist’s chair, so this is a lot faster compared to the checkups you need if you have traditional braces.
Understanding the Value
Am I A Candidate For Invisalign Treatment?
If you have minor-to-moderate orthodontic issues like gaps in your smile, slightly-crooked teeth and minor bite problems, Invisalign may be a good option for you. You must also have good overall oral health and be free from issues like gum disease and tooth decay.
However, Invisalign is not appropriate for all patients. Seriously-crooked teeth, very large gaps in your smile, major bite issues, and other such difficult orthodontic problems are not suitable for treatment with Invisalign. If you have serious orthodontic issues, traditional metal braces may be more appropriate for you.
To find out whether or not Invisalign is an appropriate method for correcting your bite and straightening your teeth, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Jonathan Siverson at Forest Lake Smiles today.
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