Culebra North Dental Care offers Invisalign to patients in the San Antonio area. Invisalign works similarly to braces but many patients prefer Invisalign due to its practically invisible nature. Invisalign uses smooth, see-through plastic aligners that are more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable than wire braces.
With Invisalign, you aren’t restricted to eat certain foods since the plastic devices are removable anytime and easy to clean. Best of all, there’s less periodic office visits for Invisalign maintenance. Whereas braces require more frequent visits, Invisalign adjustments are needed once every five to six weeks.
Patients who are good candidates for Invisalign typically have:
- Crowded or crooked teeth
- Unevenly spaced teeth
- Crossbites, overbites or underbites
Advantages of Invisalign
There are many benefits to Invisalign compared to braces:
- Appearance: Designed with transparent braces that are invisible compared to metal braces.
- Comfortable: It can be removed when eating.
- Clean: It is taken out when brushing teeth or flossing, so it’s easier to keep teeth clean than with braces.
- Safe: Doesn’t cause shortening of roots like with traditional fixed brackets.
- Faster: Provides quicker results than braces.
The Procedure
At the first consultation, the dentist will discuss the patient’s case in detail to see if the patient is a good candidate. The dentist takes X-rays, and impressions of teeth, which Invisalign uses to create a digital 3-D image of them. The dentist will use these to create a treatment plan and show how the teeth will adjust with each treatment.
Custom-made aligners are then made specifically for the patient’s needs. The aligners are made of BPA-free plastic that won’t irritate cheeks and gums like braces. Teeth will slowly go to their proper place, and no one will know you are wearing them.
Every two weeks, a new set of aligners are worn that advance the teeth to the next stage of treatment. The dental check-ups are usually only every six weeks or so.
Treatment takes about a year for adults, but of course every case is different.
How Invisalign Aligners Work
Aligners are made of BPA-free, thermoplastic and look similar to teeth-whitening trays. Invisalign aligners adjust teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force. Invisalign not only controls this force, but also when the force is applied. Only specific teeth are permitted to move at each stage.
Invisalign Before/After Patient Photos
(Actual results and treatment time may vary)
Invisalign FAQs
Is the treatment painful?
No, there can be some sensitivity, but it should only be for the first day or so as your teeth adjust to the aligners.
Are there restrictions on what I can eat?
Unlike with braces, patients can eat and drink whatever they enjoy since the aligners are removed before eating.
Will the Invisalign aligners affect my speech?
Maybe for the first day or so, but after that speech will return to normal.
What happens if I lose or break and aligner?
Your dentist should be informed as soon as possible and it can easily be replaced.
Make an Appointment
More than 1.5 million patients have been treated with Invisalign all over the world. Call or contact Culebra North Dental Care today to speak to a San Antonio Invisalign dentist.
