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Invisalign in Calgary
When it comes to straightening teeth and improving a smile, metal braces have been the long-standing treatment option. Invisalign invisible braces offer another option. Instead of a mouth full of brackets and wires for months on end, Invisalign offers clear, removable aligners that slowly work to straighten your teeth. They are perfect for both teenagers and adults and offer a great alternative to traditional braces.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a treatment designed to straighten your teeth. Invisalign uses clear aligners made from a flexible plastic material called SmartTrack. These aligners fit snugly over your teeth and are worn for 20 to 22 hours a day. Every couple of weeks, you change the aligners to a new set and they work to gradually shift the position of your teeth. The frequency of aligner changes will be dependent on your individual treatment plan. Treatment with Invisalign typically takes 12 to 18 months, though you may see changes beginning as soon as a few weeks after starting treatment.
Invisalign Versus Traditional Braces
Traditionally braces were the main treatment for straightening teeth. Braces are metal brackets placed onto each tooth and strung together with wire. The tension of the wire is gradually changed to adjust the position of the teeth. While braces are still used, these brackets and wires have disadvantages that Invisalign eliminates. Eating with braces can often be difficult, with some foods causing damage to the brackets. Brushing teeth and removing food particles can also be difficult because the brackets and wires get in the way. Invisalign aligners are removable and can be taken out to eat and provide oral care, so there are no foods you need to avoid, no fear of damage, and you are able to brush your teeth as normal.
Clear aligners are also soft and gentler on the mouth. Traditional braces with brackets and wires can have sharp edges and areas that can irritate or even cut the inside of the cheek, leading to discomfort or sores in the mouth. With the soft plastic aligners of Invisalign, this discomfort risk is removed, making it a more comfortable option as well.
Invisalign offers one more advantage that is often a selling point. 3D Imaging Technology allows you to see exactly what the aligners will do to your teeth, so you can see the smile you will have at the end of treatment before your treatment even starts.
While Invisalign can treat most cases of tooth alignment, traditional braces are still recommended for cases of severe malocclusion or badly aligned bites. In addition, if cost is a concern, traditional braces are typically cheaper but we have flexible payment plans available to make clear aligners accessible to everyone.
How Are Invisalign Aligners Made?
When you think of things like mouth guards or retainers, typically orthodontists must use gross plaster-like material in order to get an imprint mold of your teeth. With Invisalign, that is not the case. Invisalign’s iTero Element scanner allows your Calgary dentist to create a 3D image of your teeth. This image is used to create your liners through 3D printing and then, because everyone’s gum line is different, each aligner is trimmed to comfortably match your gumline.
Invisalign Offers a Compliance Indicator for Teens
Because clear aligners can be removed, it often creates a problem, especially with teens, where they are not being worn for the necessary 20 to 22 hours a day. Not wearing the aligners for that amount of time can hold back the timeframe for treatment. Because of this possibility, Invisalign created the Invisalign Teen, with compliance indicators in the aligners so the orthodontist can see whether the aligners were worn for the recommended time. Each aligner is made with a series of blue dots. As they are worn, these dots fade in color.
Things to Consider
While clear aligners offer appealing differences to traditional braces, there are some things to consider. You will likely still experience tooth discomfort as you adjust to each new aligner and as your teeth shift. While this is often described more as pressure, it still can be painful.
While one of the benefits of Invisalign is the fact that they are removed for eating, this can become inconvenient at times, such as eating out at a restaurant. In addition, you must brush your teeth after eating every meal and before putting the aligners back in your mouth.
Before deciding which route to go with, speak with your orthodontist about the pros and cons of both. He will explain which one might work best with your lifestyle and achieve the results you are looking for. If you are looking for more information on clear aligners, contact us today.
How Do I Get Started?
Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh is a Certified Invisalign Provider. He has extensive experience with invisible braces and has treated many cases here in our Calgary dental office in Inglewood.
The first step is to request your consultation with us. During the consultation, we will discuss your case in detail to determine if you’re a good candidate. After answering all your questions, we will discuss how you can get started. If you would like to learn more about Invisalign Clear Braces, please call our office at (403) 265-5888 to schedule your visit with Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh.
Call us at (403) 265-5888 to request your Invisalign Invisible Braces consultation at Inglewood Family Dental today!
FAQ’s About Invisalign Clear Braces
How Long Does It Take to Straighten Teeth with Invisalign?
For most adults it takes around a year to completely straight your teeth. This is an average period of time since everyone has different experience so results will vary from one individual to the other. It is even possible to see a difference within two to three months from the time you start using the aligners.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Cost can vary depending on a variety of factors and the amount of teeth you want straightened. We offer flexible financing and work out payment plans that are convenient for you. If you are on a budget but want to achieve the perfect smile, this is something we can work on together. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at (403) 265-5888.
How Painful Is Invisalign?
When advertised, Invisalign is known for being less painful if not pain-less when compared to metal braces. Invisalign is without a doubt less painful than the traditional metal braces as the teeth are guided to shift naturally and over time instead of trying to fix them in place with metal brackets. Some people experience minor pain when adjusting to the new aligners however once the teeth are in their new position the pain will decrease.
Are They As Good as Regular Braces?
Invisalign is a great form of treatment for moving teeth that are not in any complicated situation. One of the great things offered by Invisalign is intended in the name, they are practically invisible which is a huge perk for some individuals. One benefit of regular braces is that they do more than just straighten your teeth. Braces are great at correcting any issues with your bite which usually require special treatment and diagnosis.