Do you have crooked or misaligned teeth? Do you have unsightly gaps between your teeth or do they make it hard to eat or speak properly? Do you loathe the ideal of traditional metal braces? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then Invisalign® orthodontic treatment might be the right orthodontic treatment option for you.
Invisalign® is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligner trays to gradually reposition crooked teeth. Using a series of progessive trays, Invisalign® can align crooked teeth and fill in the gaps between them, as well as improve the overall quality of your bite. Unlike traditional metal braces, however, Invisalign® offers a minimally-invasive orthodontic treatment that does not require the use of bulky brackets or wires. Invisalign® is easy, effective, and highly recommended by Tulsa Precision Dental.
Did you know…
The entire Invisalign® treatment process from start to finish is minimally-invasive and does not require the same lifestyle changes as traditional metal braces. Because of this, Invisalign® is a popular option for adults and teenagers with busy schedules that don’t want their orthodontic treatment to interfere with their daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for Invisalign®?
You may be a candidate for Invisalign® if you have teeth that are incorrectly spaced, crooked, or overlapping due to crowding, and you are looking for a discreet orthodontic treatment. In addition, you may also be a candidate for Invisalign® if you have an overbite, underbite, or crossbite.
However, you may not be an ideal candidate for Invisalign® if your teeth are not the correct shape to fit in the aligner properly, your teeth are too rotated, the gaps between your teeth are too far, you require correction in the back and front of your mouth, your midline is too uneven, or if you have dental restorations such as a dental bridge, veneers, or dental crown.
To find out if you are an ideal candidate for Invisalign®, schedule a consultation with Drs. Chris and Kristie Vinson of Tulsa Precision Dental today!
Does Invisalign® work as well as traditional wire braces?
Yes. If you are an ideal candidate for Invisalign®, then the treatment will yield similar results and long-term retention rates to those of traditional wire braces. However, if you require more extensive orthodontic work, then traditional wire braces may be the preferred treatment option. During your consultation, Drs. Chris and Kristie Vinson will discuss your options with you.
How does Invisalign® work?
Invisalign® works by applying concentrated pressure to certain areas on your teeth in order to gradually move them in the correct position. Because this pressure needs to be consistent, the aligners will need to be worn for at least 22 hours a day and should only be removed during meals or when brushing and flossing. Every 1-2 weeks, you will progress to a new aligner until you have achieved the desired results.
What can I expect when receiving Invisalign® treatment from Tulsa Precision Dental?
When beginning Invisalign® treatment at Tulsa Precision Dental, you can first expect to have your teeth scanned with an electric scanner to obtain information for the fabrication of your custom aligners. The electric scans of your teeth will also be used with the ClinCheck® software to determine how many aligners will need to be worn to reach your desired treatment outcome. This will give you a relatively good idea about how long your treatment will last, however actual treatment times may deviate from the initial treatment proposal.
Once your Invisalign® aligners have been fabricated, your treatment officially begins with you wearing your first aligner. In some cases, additional tiny, tooth-colored shapes may be adhered to your teeth to help the aligners work more effectively. These are called SmartForce® attachments and they are used to further concentrate the force of the aligners into a specific area. They are barely noticeable and will fit underneath your aligners.
During your Invisalign® treatment, you will need to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day and should only remove the aligners when you are eating, brushing, or flossing. You can expect to visit Tulsa Precision Dental about every 4-6 weeks to have your progress assessed and to receive your new aligners. Depending on your treatment plan, you may wear each aligner for 1-2 weeks. As you move through your treatment, Drs. Chris and Kristie Vinson will provide guidance on how long to wear each aligner.
How do I care for my Invisalign® aligners?
To care for your aligners, you will need to keep both your teeth and aligners clean. To keep your teeth clean, you will need to brush them at least twice a day and after meals, as well as floss once a day. To keep your aligners clean, you will need to rinse them after removing them from your mouth and brush them every night.
To protect your aligners from becoming damaged, you will also want to store them in their case at all times when they are not in your mouth and never wrap them in a napkin. Additionally, you will need to avoid using excessively warm or hot water when rinsing your aligners, as this will cause the plastic to warp and not fit correctly.
If one of your aligners is lost or damaged, you will need to call our office for instructions on what to do. Depending on when the aligner is lost or damaged, you may be able to simply move to the next aligner. However, do not do this without checking with us first because it can alter your treatment results.
How long is orthodontic treatment with Invisalign®?
Orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® generally lasts about 12-18 months. Depending on your individual case, your actual treatment time may be shorter or longer. During your initial consultation, Drs. Chris and Kristie Vinson will be able to give you a better idea of your proposed treatment length.
Will Invisalign® treatment hurt?
When you get a new aligner, you may experience a brief period of soreness while your teeth acclimate to the new pressure being exerted on them. This will usually fade within a few days and can be easily remedied with over the counter pain medications. Compared to traditional metal braces, however, Invisalign® does not cause the same degree of soreness, nor does it rub or cause irritation on your lips and cheeks.
Do I need to wear a retainer after Invisalign® treatment?
Yes. Retainers are an important step in any orthodontic treatment and must be worn as directed to “retain” the treatment results. In most cases, retainers will be worn full time for the first few months and then eventually transitioned to being worn at nighttime only. Invisalign® offers their discreet Vivera® retainers that are just as invisible as their aligners.
At Tulsa Precision Dental, your smile is our top priority. For a full range of dental services using the latest in dental technology, schedule a consultation with Tulsa, OK dentists Drs. Chris and Kristie Vinson today!