Invisalign is a great solution for those who want to enhance the look of their smile. It is also useful when the functionality of your teeth, oral health, and bite need to be improved. Below, we cover 9 key questions to ask during your Invisalign consultation.
9 Questions to Ask During Invisalign Consultation
However, getting Invisalign treatment is a commitment in terms of time and money. So, naturally, you would want to know what to expect before, during, and after the treatment. Here is a list of some important questions to ask during the Invisalign consultation.
1. How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign treatment utilizes a series of aligners that shift your teeth to a desired position over time. The aligners are made from plastic material. They are clear, smooth, and almost invisible in your mouth. The trays are custom-made and respond to the individual needs of every patient.
Invisalign trays work by applying pressure to your teeth. Teeth respond to pressure by moving along the periodontal membrane and getting into the right position. In this process, the gum tissue decreases in the place where the pressure is applied. Then, new tissue grows in the space where the tooth was positioned before.
In the course of treatment, you will most likely have to switch your Invisalign trays every 1 or 2 weeks. This will ensure that the proper amount of pressure is applied to the teeth that have to be moved.
2. What Issues Can Invisalign Solve?
Invisalign is useful in solving a variety of dental issues:
- Overbite, underbite, and crossbite
- Overcrowding
- Spaces and gaps between teeth
- Crooked teeth
Our top Hollywood dentist will carefully examine your teeth and let you know if your dental issues can be effectively solved with Invisalign treatment during the first consultation.
3. How to Use My Invisalign?
For your Invisalign to deliver the desired result, it must be worn 22 hours a day on a daily basis. You should take out your tray while eating and brushing your teeth. It is also necessary to clean your aligners properly every day.
4. What if I Can Not Wear My Invisalign All the Time?
Unfortunately, wearing Invisalign for 22 hours every day is something that you will have to commit to, if you want to see the results from the treatment. It is a great advantage of Invisalign compared to braces that the trays can be removed while eating and brushing your teeth, but that should be the only time when you remove them. The pressure has to be applied to your teeth constantly for them to gradually move into a desired position.
Whenever you skip a day of wearing your trays, you should be prepared that it will inevitably prolong the overall treatment time. Apart from time, it can also cost you additional money, as you will need more visits to your dentist’s office and potentially additional trays to be made.
5. Is Invisalign Treatment Painful?
Compared to traditional metal braces, Invisalign is considered to be a less painful treatment option. However, because pressure is applied to your teeth, forcing them to change their position, some discomfort is inevitable.
The level of pain and discomfort depends on such factors as pain tolerance of every patient and the severity of the case. But you are likely to experience some of it in the first couple of days after you switch to a new set of trays. These feelings usually go away soon and can be remedied with over-the-counter painkillers if intolerable.
6. How Long Will I Have to Wear My Invisalign?
The overall length of the treatment depends very much on the issues that need to be solved. Typically, you can expect the treatment to take between 9 to 18 months. For some patients who need only minor adjustments, the treatment can take as little as 6 months. For others with severe dental issues, it can take up to 24 months for the teeth to be straightened. Most likely, your dentist will let you know the approximate length of treatment in your specific case during the consultation.
7. When Will I See the Results?
In most cases patients start noticing changes in about 4 months after the treatment begins. Some people say that you start seeing results a bit later than with traditional braces. This happens because braces move all your teeth at once, while Invisalign affects only those teeth that need adjustments. However, that does not mean that Invisalign treatment is less effective or takes longer than braces.
8. How Often Will I Have to Visit My Dentist?
Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign treatment requires less visits to the dentist. Usually, you will need to visit the office every 2 to 3 months for your doctor to monitor the progress and make necessary adjustments. It does depend on the individual case, so your dentist will discuss the appointment schedule with you during the consultation.
9. How Will the Treatment Begin?
Your Invisalign treatment begins with making an appointment at GLO Modern Dental. During the consultation, one of our qualified specialists will examine your mouth and make an x-ray of your teeth to determine the course of treatment. Then, they will take an impression of your teeth to make a custom set of aligners and walk you through the treatment process.
Do not hesitate to sign up for a consultation and ask us all the questions you have about Invisalign. We are looking forward to helping you achieve the best results.