Invisalign is a revolutionary way to transform smiles without the hassles and embarrassment of traditional braces. Dr. Fooladi at Smiles 4 Life Orthodontics in Park Slope is pleased to offer this method to patients. Because it is a newer way to correct smiles, patients often have questions about Invisalign. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and Dr. Fooladi’s response to them.
What does Invisalign treat?
Just like traditional braces, Invisalign can treat many issues such as crowding, spacing, overbites, and crossbites.
How long will treatment take?
It depends on the patient’s condition, but the average treatment time is between 6 to 18 months. This is less time than the average length of treatment with traditional braces.
How long do I have to wear my aligners?
For best results in the optimum timeframe, aligners should be worn about 22 hours per day. They should be removed for eating, oral hygiene, and the occasional special occasion.
Will I feel any discomfort?
Minor pressure is normal when you begin Invisalign treatment. This discomfort is a good sign though because it means your teeth are moving into their desired locations.
Will I have to avoid certain foods?
There are no restrictions at all about what you can eat or drink during Invisalign treatment because the aligners are removed. Always clean your aligners before putting them back in your mouth.
How can I keep my aligners clean?
Brush your aligners gently as you would your teeth, using a soft toothbrush and rinsing with warm water.
Will the aligners affect my speech?
You can expect a short period of adjustment when you first start wearing your aligners. Your speech may be slightly affected, but you’ll get used to them as you speak and will no longer have speech impacts.
Can I smoke during Invisalign treatment?
Smoking is highly discouraged when wearing Invisalign aligners because they may discolor or warp. If smoking is a habit you can’t break, remove your aligners first.
Can I chew gum during treatment?
Remove your aligners before chewing gum so that it doesn’t become stuck on the plastic. As you might guess, chewing gum is discouraged because removing your aligners more than a couple hours a day can impact your treatment success.
How often will I need to see an orthodontist during treatment?
Most patients visit Dr. Fooladi about once every eight weeks to ensure treatment is progressing as it should.
What happens after treatment is over?
As with traditional braces, retainers are required after Invisalign treatment to promote your teeth staying in their new positions. It’s simple though because you just wear the final set of aligners in your series instead of having to get a new appliance.
Does Invisalign work for kids?
Kids are candidates for Invisalign as long as all of their permanent teeth, including second molars, have fully erupted. Invisalign Teen is marketed just for teenagers with some unique characteristics designed for that age group.
Does Invisalign cost more than braces?
Cost varies between patients due to condition and length of treatment. Invisalign is a little more expensive than traditional braces for the same treatment time, but the costs typically even out because Invisalign treatment is often faster. The staff at Smiles 4 Life Orthodontics is happy to provide the cost information you need to help make your decision about treatment.