Have you been to a New Jersey high school lately? Or do you have children of your own or friends with high school-age children? If so, it appears as if just about every other kid has braces on his or her teeth. While that’s probably a little of an exaggeration, braces are anything but rare. Statistics point to over 4 million U.S. children wearing braces in 2016. That number has roughly doubled between 1982 and 2008.
That means there are lots of young teens suffering through the social stigma and irritation of traditional braces. Wires were poking your cheeks and tongue. Bands were rubbing on your lips. The near-impossibility of flossing and fully cleaning your banded teeth. Not to mention the obvious stigma of having an excess of silver when you smile.
But what if you could straighten those teeth without all the metal? You can unsubscribe at Gentle Dental with Invisalign. Invisalign uses clear plastic aligner trays instead of metal bands and wires to move the patient’s teeth into the proper alignment. While not right for everyone, Invisalign is a huge improvement over the chore and stigma that is traditional braces.
What is Invisalign?
The idea behind Invisalign is the same as braces, but it moves the teeth with a series of plastic aligner trays instead of bands. Each tray is slightly different than the others, and puts subtle pressure on the teeth, moving them slightly until the end goal is accomplished.
What is the process with Invisalign?
At Gentle Dental, our Invisalign process begins with a visual exam and consultation (not every orthodontic need can be addressed with Invisalign). We take photos and x-rays and create a digital image of how your treatment will progress, and the result. Once satisfied, we take impressions of your teeth and send them to the Invisalign laboratory where they will fabricate your aligner trays. All of the trays are created at once and shipped to our offices. Each tray has a specific place in the progression.
There is no installation; you simply place the trays over your teeth. The fit is snug, and after awhile you won’t notice you’re wearing them. You need to wear the trays for 22 hours per day. After two to three weeks, you discard the tray you’ve been wearing and replace it with the next in the series. This keeps constant, gentle pressure on your teeth, moving them subtly. You come to see us at Gentle Dental every six weeks or so to ensure everything is progressing as planned. Since Invisalign treats moderate realignment cases, treatment is usually shorter than with traditional braces — usually lasting from six to 18 months. After your teeth are in the correct final position, you’ll be fitted with a retainer to keep them there.
Want straighter teeth without the metal mouth? Call us at Gentle Dental, (732) 549-5660, and let’s see if Invisalign is right for you.
