The Most Commonly Asked Questions On Invisalign in Bridgeville

Having a crooked smile can be truly disheartening. Not only can you be afraid to smile, but your bite is at risk of damaging your teeth as you chew. This is because misalignment often causes people to apply disproportionate pressure throughout the mouth as they eat. It also leaves them vulnerable to chronic teeth grinding, which typically happens unconsciously.

However, when people learn that they can get their teeth realigned without the use of metal braces, they often have many questions about treatment. Here are the most common questions dentists get about Invisalign in Bridgeville.

What Does Treatment Entail?

During your initial consultation, the dentist will examine your smile and confirm that you’re eligible for Invisalign treatment. If so, he’ll explain the process of taking X-rays, photos, and impressions of your teeth so they can be sent to an Invisalign lab. Here, a series of customized trays are made, each pair representing a different stage of your realignment. Once you’ve worn each pair long enough, you’ll come back into the office every several weeks or so to ensure that your teeth are shifting as planned.

How Long Does it Take to Complete?

Each pair of aligners is worn for about two weeks at a time. A pair of trays should be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours per day. Failing to do so will cause hiccups in your treatment and make it longer than originally planned. Your commitment to wearing the aligners will have a strong influence on treatment time as well as the complexity of your case.

How Do I Clean the Aligners?

Cleaning your aligners is quite simple. First, remove them every time you brush, which should be at least twice a day. After rinsing them with cold water, place them in a container of water along with either denture cleanser or Invisalign’s unique cleaning crystals. Both work to loosen food debris, plaque, and sanitize your aligners.

Avoid using colored or scented soaps to clean aligners, as well as toothpaste. After they’ve soaked for at least 15 minutes, gently brush any loose plaque and food debris with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

When Do I Remove Them?

Aligners should only be removed when eating, drinking beverages other than water, and chewing gum. You may also remove them for photos or events if you prefer, but keep in mind that the longer you wear them, the quicker your treatment will be.

How Much Does Treatment Cost?

The price of Invisalign can vary depending on how many trays are needed to complete your realignment as well as how complex your case is. Even though Invisalign can fall within the similar price range of traditional braces (between $3,000 and $5,000), people often save money on less orthodontic visits needed to tighten the actual braces themselves. This is thanks to Invisalign’s self-managed system of moving on to the next pair of trays independently.

Ready to transform your smile and fix your overbite, underbite, crossbite, or other malocclusion? Schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist in Bridgeville today!

About the Author

Thanks to his continuing education at the Dawson Academy for Advanced Dental Education, Dr. Dan Rairigh is more capable of treating malocclusions (poor bites) and making you feel confident when chewing your favorite foods without causing enamel erosion. To learn more about his practice, contact him through his website.