Exploring Invisalign and How to Make the Treatment Work for You

These days, people will do just about anything to look good, even if they have to dig deep into their pockets or dip into their emergency funds. One of the physical things people obsess about is their smile, which is how we create those very important first impressions. It is truly important for most people to get it right the first time as they may never get the chance to redeem themselves once that chance is ruined by uncertain smiles due to unsightly teeth.

 Whatever problems maybe that are plaguing you and affecting your ability to smile confidently and dazzle the world, remember that they are only temporary and like all our troubles, will come to an end. As to what end that it comes to will be determined by you, your finances, and the type of dental procedure you go for to rectify the problem. One of the most popular dental procedures people are curious about these days is invisible braces, commonly referred to as Invisalign treatments.

 Invisalign was designed to treat people with mild cases of crooked or protruding teeth or those with malocclusion, overbites, or underbites and those with overcrowded or widely-gapped teeth that are usually recommended to wear metal braces. With Invisalign treatments, they now have the option of getting their teeth straightened and corrected without anybody else knowing about it. Not only are Invisalign treatments more affordable than metal braces, but they are also less embarrassing since they won’t likely set off any alarms or cause food to get stuck in all the wrong places, making your mouth look like a mini trash compactor.

 While Invisalign is considered a fairly new concept that was introduced in 1999, it has actually been in the planning stages since 1945, when dentists did studies showing tooth movement as a series of planned individual stages using set up models for use with positioners. In 1964, they studied the possibility of a vacuum-formed dental contour appliance and in 1971, experimented with using clear, overlay appliances for staged treatment. The distinct advantages they had over metal braces was the fact that they moved your teeth as little as possible, without the pain and discomfort.

 Treatments start when the dentist makes a rubber-base impression of your mouth and sends it to the laboratory along with copies of x-rays, photos, and a detailed treatment plan. Laser scanning is then used to create a 3D surface map of the teeth and based on the treatment plan sent by your dentist, technicians generate a virtual correction that will be emailed to your dentist who will check it and send it back for revisions if necessary. You will then be shown a virtual representation of how your teeth will move in each stage of treatment.

 From there, a series of aligners will be made for you, to be worn on a specific stage of treatment. They will be changed every two weeks, with your progress being monitored via check-ups scheduled every six weeks or so. The great thing about Invisalign is that you can remove them when you eat, brush or floss and that they are also easier to clean because you only need to soak them for 10 minutes in a solution that is made up of 4 drops of sodium hypochlorite and water. As for health benefits, you not only get your teeth straightened in the most comfortable way possible, you also get healthier teeth and gums and the best possible defense against potential periodontal diseases.

 To know whether Invisalign is the best option for you, you need to remember a few things, the first of which is that you’ll need to be committed to wearing them for 22 hours a day. Next, you also need to consult with an orthodontist rather than a general dentist when it comes to getting to know more about Invisalign since an orthodontist specializes in it as opposed to a general dentist who only knows some things about it.

 You must also be open to the fact that there are no cheap Invisalign treatments and that even with insurance (which will cover only about a $1000) it is still quite an expensive endeavor. You may fare better with a flexible spending account that pays up to $2500 but this will depend on IRS rules pertaining to FSA contributions. Then again, there are also dental clinics like Straightenmysmile.com.au that allow extended payment options so you’ll really need to do your research on this one.

 Again, your full commitment is needed if the treatments are going to work for you. If you don’t or can’t follow your orthodontist’s instructions, you might as well consider other options because just like training for a decathlon, you cannot hope to win without training diligently. If you keep taking them off and only wear them from time to time, you won’t get the results you want. Also, remember that patience is a virtue and those who exercise it are rewarded accordingly.

 Of course, don’t forget to brush and floss regularly lest the braces become visible because of all the plaque buildup. So if you think it is a process you can undertake without too much difficulty, check out Invisalign via straightenmysmile.com.au and be on your way to dazzling the world with your perfect new smile.