Invisalign Clear Aligners Albuquerque

How Invisalign Works

Using clear, plastic aligners that are custom-made based on impressions of your smile, Invisalign, when worn 20-22 hours a day, places gentle pressure on your teeth, causing them to shift. After 1-2 weeks of wear, the current trays are switched out for the next set, allowing things to keep moving in the right direction.

Throughout treatment, follow-up visits to our office are essential, as these will allow our team to ensure that your progress is moving forward smoothly.

Benefits of Invisalign

Are you considering choosing Invisalign instead of traditional metal braces? If so, it might be because the aligners are see-through, making your orthodontic treatment basically invisible. While that’s certainly a perk, that’s just one of the many you will enjoy. Here are a few others!

No Soft Tissue Irritation

While traditional braces have brackets and wires that can protrude from teeth and rub against soft oral tissues, Invisalign does not! Instead, the aligners are custom-made from smooth materials that pose no threat to your cheeks, lips, gums, or tongue. In other words, your teeth-straightening journey will be considerably more comfortable if you choose Invisalign clear aligners.

Faster Results

Although not always the case, Invisalign can often be completed in just 12-18 months. In fact, there are some patients who work through their series of aligners in as little as six months, which isn’t long at all. This is much quicker than with traditional braces, which can take 2-3 years to complete. So, if you want a straight smile for an upcoming event, like your wedding, Invisalign is the way to go!

No Dietary Restrictions

One downside of traditional braces is that you can’t eat whole apples, popcorn, or any other crunchy foods since there’s a good chance it will cause a bracket or wire to break. In contrast, there aren’t any dietary restrictions with Invisalign because you can remove your trays before eating or drinking (unless it is water). In other words, you can enjoy all the foods you love during your orthodontic treatment!

Fewer Check-In Visits

Monthly adjustment appointments are quite common with Invisalign. Naturally, this isn’t ideal for busy students, parents, and professionals, which is why so many of them don’t pursue orthodontic treatment, even if they want to. The good news is that Invisalign works a bit differently and, as a result, there are fewer check-in visits. In fact, most patients only come in every six or eight weeks!

Hassle-Free Oral Hygiene

Trouble brushing and flossing with traditional braces is quite common. That’s why special oral hygiene products, like interproximal toothbrushes, were created. Don’t worry – you don’t need to buy any fancy dental care products with Invisalign. Since the aligners are removable, all you have to do is take them off first! Then, you can brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like you normally do.

Virtually Invisible Trays

Of course, Invisalign is widely loved for another reason: the aligners are virtually invisible. So, you don’t have to deal with “metal mouth” during your orthodontic treatment. Many patients share that even those closest to them – from their long-time friends to the co-workers they see every day – don’t notice the trays, which is a testament to just how discreet they really are!

Who Can Invisalign Help?

Many patients pass on orthodontic treatment because they don’t see how it could benefit them. At Valer Dental & Braces, our team will begin your visit with a comprehensive examination to determine the best steps to take to shape your smile the way you want. If our dentists think Invisalign could help you achieve your goals, they’ll recommend it. But what do they look for in a clear aligners candidate? Read more below to see the kinds of orthodontic issues Invisalign can fix.

Crowded Teeth

Crowding is a common issue that can appear at any stage of life, reducing your overall mouth health by making oral hygiene more difficult. The crooked and tight spaces become traps for food particles and bacteria that lead to cavities and gum disease. Invisalign can redistribute your smile, creating uniform spacing that makes brushing and flossing a breeze.

Gaps Between Teeth

Your jawbone’s development significantly affects the way your teeth are spaced in your mouth. This can lead to crowding but also go the opposite direction, leaving large gaps in your smile. Other oral habits from your early childhood like thumb sucking can also contribute. Not only can closing these gaps with Invisalign treatment improve your grin’s aesthetics, but it can also drastically improve your oral health by eliminating crevices where built-up plaque likes to hide.

Overbite

In the past, Invisalign was mostly useful for correcting minor alignment issues, but after years of advancement, it can effectively treat bite issues as well. Overbites occur when your upper jaw sits too far forward, letting the top teeth overlap the bottom ones. While a small overlap is normal, a significant overhang can cause jaw pain, speech issues, tooth wear, and an even greater risk of damage to your top teeth.

Underbite

Genetics, jaw injury, and oral habits can cause your bottom teeth to stick out past your top ones. This can lead to a greater risk of sleep apnea in some patients and make it harder to chew and digest your food properly. When this issue appears, it’s important to treat it as soon as possible with Invisalign attachments and elastics to gradually pull your jaw back into alignment.

Crossbite

A crossbite describes an issue where your top and bottom teeth alternate and overlap creating the perfect environment for dental decay, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, bruxism (teeth grinding), and headaches. Invisalign aligners can gently shift your teeth and jaw back into uniform alignment before these problems worsen. Not only will this provide much-needed relief, but it can also greatly improve your smile’s appearance, boosting confidence.

Open Bite

When your top and bottom teeth can’t touch or overlap when you close your mouth, it’s known as an open bite. This is an irritating and highly destructive condition that often leads to speech impediments, excessive enamel wear, and even chipped or cracked molars due to an unbalanced bite. Using Invisalign, our team can help bring your front teeth into their proper positions, allowing you to chew and speak normally.