Invisalign® FAQ

Like the name suggests, Invisalign® is a nearly invisible aligner that is designed to fit over your teeth and move them little by little for a better bite and smile. Before you begin Invisalign treatment, you’ll have a consultation with our family dentist to determine if Invisalign is the right choice for your smile. If you have ever felt self-conscious about your smile, you owe it to yourself to ask our Gahanna Invisalign dentist about the benefits of clear aligners.

In this blog post, the Gahanna Invisalign dentist at Pure Dental will go over the most frequently asked questions she gets from patients so you can walk into your consultation feeling prepared and confident. If you have a question that doesn’t appear here, we encourage you to reach out to our Invisalign dentist.

HOW DOES INVISALIGN WORK TO STRAIGHTEN TEETH?

Invisalign are clear aligners that fit over your smile and exert enough pressure to move teeth little by little. During your dental treatment, you will wear a series of aligners. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before it is replaced by the next one in the series. Our dentist will plan your treatment by using 3D computer imaging technology. That way, you can see how each set of Invisalign aligners brings you closer to straighter teeth and a beautiful smile. Check out our other blog post to learn if you’re a candidate for Invisalign braces.

DOES INVISALIGN HURT?

Invisalign aligners exert pressure on your teeth to move them little by little. As a result, you will experience dental discomfort when you first start wearing a new aligner. This feeling of pressure will go away after a couple of days of wearing the new aligner. While you adjust to your new aligners, you may take over-the-counter pain relievers.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INVISALIGN?

Many of our adult patients appreciate that Invisalign is more subtle than traditional metal braces. Since the aligners are nearly invisible, your family, friends, and co-workers shouldn’t even notice the aligners unless they are standing very close. Invisalign aligners can also be a good choice for teenagers who feel self-conscious about how they may look with metal braces.

Unlike traditional braces, dental aligners are removable so you can continue eating your favorite foods. Invisalign aligners also make it easy to maintain your normal oral health routine because you don’t have to brush and floss around wires and brackets.

WHAT IS THE COST OF INVISALIGN?

Each patient is different depending on insurance coverage and complexity of treatment. For an accurate estimate, we recommend scheduling a consultation with our Invisalign provider.

HOW LONG DOES INVISALIGN TREATMENT TAKE?

Most adult patients wear Invisalign for 12 to 18 months to get the results they want. How long your treatment takes will depend on the difficulty of your case and how you want your teeth to look at the end of treatment. Since each patient is different, we recommend you request a consultation with our Invisalign dentist.

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS DURING INVISALIGN TREATMENT?

You’ll need to see our dentist every 4 to 6 weeks during Invisalign treatment. During your appointment, our dentist will check to make sure your teeth are moving according to schedule. Our dentist will also give you your next set of aligners. Since you won’t have wires or brackets, you can expect an Invisalign appointment to go faster than one for braces.

HOW MANY HOURS A DAY DO I HAVE TO WEAR INVISALIGN ALIGNERS?

You’ll need to wear your Invisalign aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. Only remove your aligners when you are eating, brushing, or flossing. Otherwise, you may need Invisalign treatment for longer than what our dentist originally told you to expect. Invisalign only works when you wear the aligners consistently. This is because the aligners exert pressure on your teeth so they move into their final positions.

ARE THERE CERTAIN FOODS I SHOULDN’T EAT DURING INVISALIGN TREATMENT?

No. Invisalign dental aligners are removable, which allows you to continue eating your favorite foods. However, you will need to brush and floss your teeth after eating so your clear aligners don’t stain. Unlike traditional metal braces, you can eat foods like caramel that are sticky and/or hard to chew.

Dr. Dawn Baker is an Invisalign dentist in Gahanna, OH. She is dedicated to making sure her patients achieve their best smiles by offering a range of cosmetic dental services. If you are interested in learning if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, call Pure Dental at (614) 475-7580.

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