Invisalign® in Fairhope, AL
Invisalign® clear aligners prove that effective orthodontic treatment doesn’t have to be difficult. These ingenious appliances have helped millions straighten their teeth and achieve better-looking smiles, and they can help you too.
Clear Braces With World-Class Results
Are you suffering from crooked teeth, large gaps in your smile, or a misaligned bite? Are you put off by the unsightly image of a mouthful of wire braces? If so, Invisalign® braces in Fairhope, AL, offers a discreet, clear alternative to achieving perfectly straight teeth. By utilizing a series of custom invisible aligners, Invisalign® corrects severe gaps and misalignments in just a fraction of the time compared to traditional wire braces. Plus, you can’t even tell that they’re there! Invisalign® is also fully removable, meaning you can eat the foods you want and maintain regular brushing and flossing without the added hassle of cleaning around braces.
Invisalign® aligners are custom-made using models of both your current teeth and the end result you hope to achieve. With Invisalign® aligners, you will switch to new aligners about every two weeks with each set shifting the teeth slightly—this continues until you have achieved your final results, which usually takes about two years.
To find out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign®, give our office a call or visit Fairhope Dental Associates today in Fairhope, AL.
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How does the Invisalign® process work?
To begin, we will take photographs of your teeth and face, dental impressions of your teeth, and X-rays. Those records are sent to Invisalign® with detailed instructions on how we want the final result to appear.
Invisalign® will scan the impressions to create a 3D model of the teeth and work with your dentist to get the mold to its exact proportions. This step is done before the treatment's commencement to give you a clear image of the projected outcome.
Once final, the trays are made and mailed to your dentist's office. Each set of aligners in the series has to be worn continuously for about two weeks and removed only when eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. You must visit your dentist every four to six weeks to ensure treatment progresses as planned. The treatment is complete once all the set of aligners in the series are worn. The standard treatment time, which depends on the case's complexity, usually is six months to one year. However, it is suggested that you wear a retainer after treatment is complete to stop your teeth from relocating to their original positions. Similar to the braces, the length of time the retainers should be worn may vary.
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Invisalign® vs. braces - what's the difference?
There are many differences between Invisalign and braces. We’ve listed some of the largest ones here. Ultimately, the decision is up to you, but the introduction of Invisalign® to the market introduced a more efficient, less painful way to straighten teeth.
Invisalign® uses clear transparent aligners, while braces use wires and brackets.
Invisalign® aligners can be removed by the user at any time, while braces can only be removed by a professional.
Invisalign® allows a user to eat whatever they like and not make changes to their oral care practices, while braces restrict what the user can safely eat and require special maintenance and care.
Invisalign® aligners do not present any injury risks, while braces can lead to cuts and other injuries.
Invisalign® aligners are nearly impossible for others to notice, while braces are almost impossible to miss. -
Who can use Invisalign®?
Most teens and adult patients requiring mild to moderate orthodontic corrections can use Invisalign®. This includes patients with teeth that are crooked and misaligned or teeth that feature noticeable spacing problems. Invisalign® can even help patients with minor bite issues—however, not all orthodontic issues can be treated with Invisalign. More extensive problems will require additional treatment.
More Questions?
If you have more questions about Invisalign®, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further.
