Invisalign® Clear Braces – Torrington, CT

Crowded Teeth

Teeth that are too close together are both unsightly and dangerous to your oral health. They can trap food between them, greatly increasing your risk of dental decay, gum disease, bad breath, and more. Invisalign, along with possible extractions, may be able to alleviate crowding and give you more attractive, more functional teeth.

Gaps Between Teeth

Large gaps between your teeth may be the result of genetics, poor bone development, or other factors. This issue could make you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your smile. The extra space can also leave your gums vulnerable to irritation and damage. Invisalign may be able to gradually move your teeth closer together, resulting in a more confident, more comfortable grin.

Overbite

A small overbite is both normal and healthy. However, if your top teeth rest too far in front of your bottom teeth, it can interfere with your oral function and increase your risk of numerous problems, including uneven dental wear, jaw pain, speech issues, and more. Invisalign, usually with the help of special accessories, is often able to address cases of overbite.

Underbite

If your bottom teeth rest in front of your top teeth, you have what is known as an underbite. This issue may be caused by genetics, oral trauma, or prolonged thumb-sucking during childhood. Without treatment, an underbite can contribute to sleep disordered breathing, difficulty chewing, and aesthetic concerns. Fortunately, Invisalign and appropriate accessories can correct many instances of underbite.

Crossbite

If some of your bottom teeth normally rest in front of your top teeth, you have a form of malocclusion (bad bite) known as a crossbite. This problem may be caused by genetics, poor habits, or the early loss of baby teeth. Invisalign can often correct a crossbite, leading to improved oral function and aesthetics.

Open Bite

If there is space between your upper and lower teeth even when your back teeth are touching, you have an open bite. This issue, which may be caused by poor bone development or non-nutritive habits during childhood, can interfere with your ability to bite and chew comfortably. In many cases, Invisalign offers a long-term solution to an open bite.

Wearing Your Trays

You should strive to wear your aligner trays for a minimum of 20 – 22 hours each day. Failure to meet your daily wear time could slow down your tooth movements and make your next set of aligners quite uncomfortable. In fact, you should only take your aligners out of your mouth when you are eating or taking care of necessary oral hygiene tasks.

You will transition to a new set of aligners every 1 – 2 weeks or so.

Cleaning Your Aligners

Keeping your aligners clean protects your oral health and keeps your Invisalign fresh and attractive. To clean them, use a soft toothbrush, lukewarm or cool water, and a mild cleaning agent, such as clear hand soap. (Do not use hot water because it might warp your aligners.) You should also make sure to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth so your aligners do not trap food particles and bacteria against your enamel.

Eating & Drinking

No foods are off-limits with Invisalign, but you should still make reasonable, mindful choices about what you eat. Your diet should support your oral and overall health! Remember that it is important to remove your aligners whenever you eat or drink anything other than plain water. Failure to do so could damage your Invisalign, causing it to become warped or stained. While you are eating, you should store your aligners in a protective case to shield them against dust and other environmental factors.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Accidents happen. You might find that, at some point during your treatment, you accidentally misplace an aligner or damage one so it is no longer usable. If that happens, call our dental team. We might advise you to go back to wearing a previous aligner while we order a replacement for the one you can no longer use. Alternatively, we might give you the go ahead to move on to your next aligner a bit earlier than originally planned.

Routine Check-Ins

We will schedule you for routine Invisalign checkups every 4 – 8 weeks. During these brief appointments, which often last just 15 minutes or so, we will check on your progress, provide you with the next set of aligners in your series, and answer any questions that you may have. At some point during your treatment, we may need to make adjustments to the overall plan for moving your teeth; these appointments can take a bit longer.

How Long Does Invisalign® Take?

The average treatment time with Invisalign® in Torrington is 12 months. However, your case may require more or less time. It depends on factors like the extent of your dental misalignment, how many aligners you require, and how well you comply with treatment instructions. During your consultation, we will be able to estimate how long Invisalign® will take to straighten your teeth. For the majority of patients, Invisalign® is a faster option than traditional metal braces.

Does Invisalign® Hurt?

Invisalign® aligner trays are made out of a smooth plastic, which is designed to rest comfortably against the gums and other soft tissues in the mouth. There are no metal brackets and wires to irritate sensitive areas like the cheeks and tongue.

However, it is important to keep in mind that orthodontic treatment can be successful only if it applies adequate pressure to the teeth. Naturally, this process can cause some discomfort, particularly when you first switch to a new aligner. You can make your treatment as easy as possible if you switch aligners at night (so you can sleep through the first part of the adjustment period). Sipping on cold water and taking painkillers may also be helpful.

What Happens After Invisalign®?

After you have finished wearing all of your aligners, we will verify that the results are what we hoped for. Then, we will provide you with a retainer. There are a few different types of retainers, but they all serve the same purpose; they prevent the teeth from drifting back out of place following orthodontic treatment. If you have a removable retainer, you must wear it full-time at first (20 – 22 hours each day). After a few months, however, we may give you the go-ahead to wear it only at night. You should not underestimate the importance of using your retainer as recommended; it could ultimately determine the success or failure of your Invisalign® treatment.

What if My Invisalign® Broke?

Invisalign® aligners are generally quite durable. However, accidents can happen that cause them to incur damage. If your aligner has small hairline cracks, you might be able to continue wearing it — just be extra careful when you are putting it in your mouth and taking it out. If the damage is more severe, do not try to wear the aligner, and do not try to repair it on your own. Instead, give our office a call. We might advise you to switch to a new aligner a few days early. It is also possible that we will tell you to go back to wearing your previous aligner until we can order a replacement for the one that is no longer usable.