Invisalign® in Cary
Your Invisalign® Dentist
Invisalign® is a commonly chosen teeth-straightening option offered by our experts at Charles Ashley Mann, DDS & Associates.
It involves a series of clear plastic aligner trays… opens in a new window to Invisalign website… that discreetly fit over the teeth. Along with being difficult to notice, they are easy for patients to remove when eating, brushing their teeth, playing sports, taking pictures, and more.
While most people invest in teeth straightening treatment for the uniform appearance they create, they can also benefit one’s oral health. However, investing in various types of options will produce different results. As an Invisalign® dentist, we can provide patients with a professional, efficient, and customizable teeth straightening treatment.
If you are interested in getting straighter teeth discreetly and conveniently, Invisalign® may be the perfect option for you. Contact our Cary office today to schedule your Invisalign® consultation.
How Does Invisalign® Work?
The Beginning
First, an impression of your teeth is taken to create your personalized series of aligners in a dental lab.
The Aligners
The aligners themselves are made out of a thermoplastic material that is both strong and flexible in order to be comfortable when worn for long periods. Plus, the material is virtually invisible.
The Process
You’ll be required to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. Every two weeks, they’ll be switched out with the next one in the series. During the following months, the aligners will slowly and gently move your teeth into place.
Once you are done wearing your aligners, your teeth should be perfectly straight.
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Patients may prefer wearing Invisalign® because of how convenient it is in comparison to wearing traditional braces.
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The aligners are clear, so no one can tell you are straightening your teeth.
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You only need to wear them for 22 hours a day, so you can take them out to eat dinner, go on a date, or make an important presentation at work.
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You can brush and floss your teeth like normal, and no additional tools are required.
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There is less of a risk that your teeth will become stained compared to wearing metal braces that can be difficult to clean.
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The procedure is more comfortable than metal braces since the aligners move teeth into place slowly and only focus on a few teeth at a time.
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Aligners are easy to take care of, and you only use the same aligner for a couple of weeks.
FAQ About Invisalign®
- How do I care for my aligners?
We recommend that patients remove their aligner and rinse it with warm water on a daily basis. You may also want to brush them with a soft toothbrush.
- How long will my Invisalign® treatment last?
For most of our patients, the procedure takes around twelve months. The exact timeframe will depend on your situation, and only our team can tell you how long you’ll need to wear them. Overall, the treatment time can be less than with metal braces. This is partly because you do not have to schedule appointments to keep your teeth moving; all you have to do is wear the new aligner.
- Does Invisalign® work for adults?
Yes, Invisalign® was created for adult teeth. While braces are traditionally associated with children, using clear aligners is better suited for adult teeth. This is because Invisalign® works using a series of clear aligners specially created to suit your smile. Your entire treatment plan is created using 3D images of your teeth, high-tech computer software, and input from our team of professionals. The Invisalign® lab will then make the aligners. Since the aligners are created at the beginning of the process, it works best on fully mature adult teeth. Some older teens can also benefit from straightening their teeth with Invisalign®.
- Does Invisalign® work as well as traditional braces?
For the most part, yes. There are some cases where aligners are not able to address all of the issues with the teeth. In such a situation, we will let you know if Invisalign® can work to straighten your teeth or if you should try a different procedure altogether. In some cases, oral surgery may be necessary mid-way through. A perfect example is if your jaw is too far out of alignment to be corrected with just orthodontics. In this case, patients start straightening their teeth and then have their jaw treated before finishing the procedure. These details are entirely dependent upon your teeth and jaw position, so we will let you know what to expect after your examination.
- Can my teen wear aligners during other activities such as sports?
Yes, your child can play sports with this treatment. It may not sound significant, but allowing your child to play sports without braces is beyond important. Whether they play soccer, basketball, football, lacrosse, etc., sports are aggressive and can lead to mouth injuries – with or without braces. The problem is that if your teen plays with brackets on their teeth, any time that their mouth is touched, they can get a cut. Things that would never cause a sports injury, can when wearing braces. At Charles Ashley Mann, DDS & Associates, we highly recommend Invisalign Teen® for athletic teens because it is far safer. If they want to remove the aligners and wear a mouthguard, they can. Regardless, there will be no metal brackets to increase their risk of an injury.
