At Bunker Hill Dentistry in the Memorial area of Houston, we are dedicated to helping you find the orthodontic treatment that’s right for you. We utilize advanced dental technology to create a 3D model of your mouth which helps us achieve the best results. One such treatment option is Invisalign clear aligners. Invisalign is a type of dental aligner used to treat mild to moderate cases of misalignment in teenagers and adult patients. Invisalign can be a very attractive option due to the aligner trays being nearly invisible. Here we will discuss the many benefits of Invisalign aligners, the procedure of being fitted for aligners, and more. Discreet, Comfortable, and Effective: The Advantages of Invisalign Removable – Invisalign aligner trays can be removed for eating, drinking, and brushing. A faster fix – Invisalign treatment can be faster than traditional braces for some patients. Savings – Invisalign treatment can be a more affordable option than metal braces. Fewer office visits – Straightening your teeth with Invisalign involves fewer appointments with our dentist. A clear choice – These clear aligners are nearly invisible while being worn. Custom fit – The Invisalign trays are custom designed for your teeth. Fewer restrictions – Aligners have fewer dietary restrictions compared with traditional braces. The trays should be removed for eating and drinking anything except water. The Invisalign® Treatment Process: From Consultation to Completion Dr. Le will perform a dental exam to see if you are a suitable candidate for Invisalign. We take detailed pictures of your teeth, using a 3D dental imaging device – the iTero® scanner – which we use to create a detailed treatment plan. The images are then sent to the laboratory, along with our treatment plan, where your custom clear aligner trays will be manufactured out of Invisalign’s SmartTrack material – guaranteed to be more comfortable and durable than other types of aligner trays. You will be provided with a series of trays – each one usually worn for about 2 weeks. You can take the trays out to eat, drink, and to brush and floss, but the trays need to be worn at least 22 hours per day. Dr. Le will perform monthly check ups to look at your progress and to address any problems that come up. Typical Invisalign treatment lasts between 12 and 18 months. Most patients need to use a retainer after they are finished with their aligner tray treatment, in order to stop their teeth from shifting back to their old position. The duration a retainer is needed as well as the length of time the retainer needs to be worn per day varies from patient to patient. How the Invisalign Procedure Works Living with Invisalign Once you have your custom aligners, they must be worn 22 hours every day – when you are not eating or drinking, or brushing and flossing. Inconsistent wearing of the aligners is the most common reason for Invisalign treatment failure. There are few dietary restrictions once you’ve taken your aligners out to eat, though it is still a good idea to use caution around foods that can damage your teeth, which could interrupt your Invisalign treatment. Your aligners do need to be cleaned and rinsed regularly, otherwise their clear appearance can become stained. Clean the trays with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice daily – once when you wake up and once before you go to bed. Clean them with a small amount of antibacterial soap, and then rinse them with warm water. Toothpaste should not be used on the trays due to its abrasive quality. It is extra important to have a good brushing and flossing routine while using Invisalign. Putting clean trays back onto teeth with food particles on them can lead to cavities and other problems. Since saliva, which helps fight cavities, is kept from your teeth while using the trays, staying on top of your brushing and flossing is key. Invisalign Alternatives Invisalign trays aren’t the only treatment available for aligning your teeth. Let’s look at a couple of common alternatives to Invisalign to see how they compare. Invisalign vs Braces Invisalign and braces are often not a one-to-one comparison. Invisalign is intended for mild to moderate cases of misalignment such as gaps between teeth, crooked teeth, underbite, overbite, and crossbite. Braces on the other hand can be used to treat severe or complex misalignment issues which Invisalign clear aligners cannot, as well as able to deal with teeth that are too short or round for Invisalign aligners to get a good grip on. In either case, Dr. Le is able to advise you on the best solution for your teeth. Invisalign vs Braces Invisalign vs DIY Orthodontics At-home orthodontic solutions have become increasingly available. Smile Direct is a popular one. Patients have the option of visiting a SmileShop for a digital scan or using an at-home kit to take an impression of their teeth. A remote dentist reviews the scan or impression and approves the treatment, sets up a treatment plan, and schedules regular remote checkups to monitor the patient’s progress. The appeal of at home treatments is apparent, but some of the detractors are harder to spot. The biggest difference is that you aren’t having in person professional monitoring and care when you use an at-home service. The proper professional supervision that comes along with in-office Invisalign treatment is an added benefit that shouldn’t be overlooked. Invisalign vs Smile Direct Our Hybrid Approach to Orthodontics For people, especially older teenagers and young adults, who wish to straighten misaligned teeth and correct bad bites, our hybrid approach to teeth straightening may be an option. This approach utilizes traditional braces at the beginning of treatment in order to correct severe bite problems and malocclusions. Once the teeth have reached a certain phase in treatment, our dentist may recommend Invisalign to finish the teeth straightening process. This allows you to wear traditional braces for less time and still achieve the same results. Are You a Candidate for Invisalign? While Invisalign is a widely applicable treatment, it can be more suitable for some people than others. The best way to decide if Invisalign is right for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Le, but you can also use the following information as a basic guide to see if you are an eligible candidate. Complexity of misalignment Typically, Invisalign is an appropriate treatment for fixing mild to moderate teeth alignment issues, including: crooked teeth gap teeth crowded teeth protruding teeth overlapping teeth open bite some instances of crossbite, underbite, and overbite Major orthodontic problems may require work on the jaw itself, something that can’t be achieved through Invisalign. Age There is no strict age limit for patients seeking Invisalign treatment, provided all their permanent incisors and molars have come in as the shape of the mouth changes when we lose our baby teeth, and people can lose their baby teeth at different ages. There is no upper age limit to being a candidate for Invisalign treatment. The more important factor is motivation and commitment to personal oral health. Oral Health Invisalign candidates should be in good dental health – any cavities or gum disease will need to be treated prior to starting Invisalign treatment. Invisalign is often still carried out in the case of a missing tooth in order to align the space to where it needs to be for the future tooth loss solution. Source: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels Previous Dental Work Having had crown or veneer work done does usually not prohibit patients from receiving Invisalign clear aligners. Implants and bridges can provide more of a complication, as implants are fixed in place into the jawbone and aren’t meant to be moved. We may be able to work around these issues though, so it’s important to schedule a consultation. Learn More About Invisalign Candidacy Why Bunker Hill Dentistry? Dr. Le and his wife and office manager Ann Le Specialists – Dr. Le is a highly skilled dentist and experienced in a range of orthodontic treatments. Serene setting – Our office is designed to provide a calm, relaxing environment to help put your mind at ease during treatment. Take a tour. Client satisfaction – We have one mission – total client satisfaction. “Care, Comfort, Convenience”is our guarantee to every client. More about Bunker Hill Dentistry. Reception room at Bunker Hill Dentistry State of the art – We utilize other advanced technology such as the i-CAT 3D x-ray machine, All-On-4® implants and an anesthesia-delivery wand, for faster and more accurate diagnosis and treatment. Conveniently located – Located in Memorial, just a short drive from Houston’s city center. Find us on the map. Schedule a Consultation with Bunker Hill Dentistry If Invisalign treatment is something you think you could benefit from, schedule a consultation with Bunker Hill Dentistry today to find out the best option for you. Schedule a Consultation Not been to Bunker Hill Dentistry before? To help you prepare for your first visit, read our new patient information page.
