Invisalign

In the past, the only orthodontic solution for misaligned teeth and bite problems was a conventional metal brace. Fortunately, today there is an innovative and highly successful alternative that eliminates many of the concerns and compromises associated with regular braces. This solution is known as Invisalign.

We understand that you want your teeth to be as healthy and attractive as possible. Misalignment and bite issues can lead to a range of unpleasant symptoms and can have serious consequences of the health and condition of your smile. People with crooked, gapped or twisted teeth are more likely to experience decay and develop periodontal disease, an inflammatory condition that has been linked to health problems including diabetes and heart disease. Meanwhile, patients with an abnormal bite can suffer from face and jaw pain, uneven wear on the teeth, headaches and more.

Fortunately, Invisalign can correct the position and alignment of your teeth to eliminate these problems. We are pleased to be able to offer the Invisalign treatment program at our modern, comfortable New York offices.

What issues can Invisalign be used to treat?

Invisalign has been successfully used to rectify a number of different orthodontic issues including:

- Crooked teeth

- Twisted teeth

- Teeth that have gaps between them

- Overlapping teeth

- An overbite – when the top teeth close too far in front of the bottom teeth

- An underbite – when the bottom teeth close in front of the upper teeth

- A crossbite – when some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth rather than outside

- An open bite – when some or all of the teeth in the upper and lower arches don’t meet at all

What is Invisalign and how does it work?

Invisalign is a revolutionary new device for straightening out orthodontic problems. The treatment program uses a series of custom-designed, aligners that are made from soft, transparent plastic. These sit over the top of your teeth in a style that is similar to a mouthguard. However, each aligner is different and designed specifically to exert gentle pressure onto the teeth in order to move them into a new, improved position. The theory is much the same as is used in conventional braces, but rather than using metal brackets, wires and bands that require regular adjustment, patients that choose Invisalign simply move onto the next aligner in the series.

Each Invisalign treatment is planned using cutting-edge mapping technology which uses images of your teeth and jaw in their original position and works out how they need to move in order to achieve better alignment and an improved bite. It breaks this journey down into phases, converting each into a different aligner. Invisalign aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours per day, in the correct order and for the recommended amount of time for the treatment to be successful. If adhered to, patients can expect their treatment to take between 12 and 24 months.

Why choose Invisalign?

There are a number of different reasons why patients are opting for Invisalign over conventional orthodontic braces, and these are largely centered around the different benefits that Invisalign offers its patients. These include:

Greater discretion

Metal braces are very obvious, and many patients feel self-conscious when they are wearing them. They may cover their mouth with their hand when speaking or eating or smile with a closed mouth in pictures. Invisalign aligners meanwhile are virtually invisible once they are in place over your teeth. This enables the wearer to have greater confidence in their appearance during their treatment.

Removability

Unlike braces, which are fixed, Invisalign aligners are removable. They must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours each day, but they can be removed for eating and for cleaning your teeth. This means that you can enjoy the foods that you like without worrying about the impact that they will have on your aligner. Sticky, chewy and hard foods are off-limits to braces wearers, but not to those who choose Invisalign. Invisalign patients will also be able to brush their teeth much more easily since they don’t have to maneuver their toothbrush around brackets and wires. This can make it much simpler to maintain great oral health.

A comfortable fit

Since Invisalign aligners are custom-designed and created from soft plastic, whilst they do exert gentle force on your teeth, patients agree that their overall design is much more comfortable to wear than a set of orthodontic braces.

Predictable results

It can be difficult to visualize what your teeth will look like at the end of your treatment with regular braces. However, the technology used to create the Invisalign treatment program will be able to give you a fairly accurate illustration of what you can expect your teeth to look like at the end of your care – before you even agree to sign up to the treatment.

Our experienced and knowledgeable dentistry team will be happy to answer any questions that you may still have about Invisalign or arrange for you to attend a consultation to check your suitability for this transformative orthodontic treatment. Contact our New York offices today to get in touch.