Over 10 million people have used Invisalign to get the straight teeth they need.
Misaligned teeth can cause problems with eating and speaking, not to mention insecurity about your appearance. If you’re living with crooked teeth, you’ve probably wondered about getting aligners. But how can you know if Invisalign is the right orthodontic care solution for you?
If you’re ready to figure out if invisible aligners could help you, keep reading. We’ll explain the five most important questions about Invisalign that you can take to your dentist.
1. Can Invisalign Aligners Fix My Teeth?
Aligners are a good solution for many common tooth problems, including:
- Overbites and underbites
- Individual crooked teeth
- Overcrowding of your teeth
- Tooth gaps
- Crossbites
However, if you have more complex tooth problems, you may require traditional braces.
2. Are Invisalign Aligners Safe?
Dental health should be your first priority when it comes to getting straight teeth. Fortunately, Invisalign aligners are safe.
When you visit an Invisalign-trained orthodontist near you, you’ll receive custom aligners made from a bite mold of your mouth. This ensures that your aligners fit you correctly. Once you begin using them, they apply gentle pressure to your teeth that slowly re-aligns them.
Invisalign aligners can exacorbate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems. If you have TMJ issues, aligners may not be right for you.
3. How Long Will I Have To Wear Them?
The average length for Invisalign treatment is 12 to 18 months, as long as you get dental care on a regular basis. Your dentist will keep adjusting your aligners until your teeth are straight. During your Invisalign treatment, you should wear your aligners for about 22 hours per day.
4. Do I Have to Wear Them All the Time?
You’ll get the best results from your aligners if you wear them consistently. However, one of the benefits of Invisalign is that you can remove them at any time.
Aligners are virtually invisible, but you may want to go aligner-free on special occasions. Unlike braces, you can take a break from your aligners whenever you need to.
5. Can I Eat and Drink While Wearing Aligners?
Food and drink can stain and scratch the surface of your aligners, making them opaque instead of clear. This will make them more noticeable to others while you are wearing them. Hot drinks can also make your aligners warp, which can cause problems with straightening your teeth.
To make sure that your aligners stay invisible and crystal-clear, remove them before you eat or drink. However, water won’t discolor your aligners, so it’s safe to take a sip from your water bottle without taking your aligners out.
Safe and Efficient Orthodontic Care
There’s no need to live with insecurities about your smile. Invisalign aligners are a safe and effective form of orthodontic care for many people, and you could be one of them. Start by finding the best orthodontist near you for your initial check-up.
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