Are there elements of your smile you would like to change? Maybe you have considered straightening your teeth, but you don’t want to wear braces. Today, there are a few alternative options available. For example, the Invisalign system uses a series of clear, removable plastic trays to gently move your teeth into their proper positions. This revolutionary procedure is offered by Maidu Dental’s board-certified orthodontist, Dr. David Markham. At our family dental practice, we make a daily commitment to provide high-quality, compassionate care to the patients in our community. No matter your dental needs, we can help.
About Invisalign
Your smile is one of the first things people notice. For this reason, many people do not want to wear braces, retainers, or other orthodontic appliances that will become the focal point of their appearance. In particular, our teen and adult patients want to be able to participate in school and work activities without feeling self-conscious or worried about their look.
To straighten your teeth with Invisalign, Dr. Markham will provide a set of custom-made aligner trays, which will be changed out about every two weeks. The slight differences in the trays will gradually move your teeth safely and efficiently over time.
What are the Benefits?
When compared to traditional metal braces, Invisalign offers numerous advantages. For example:
- The aligners are metal-free, transparent, and virtually invisible.
- The trays can be removed for routine hygiene and easier cleaning.
- You will require fewer office visits during treatment.
- The aligners can be removed for special photo ops, such as proms, weddings, galas, and more.
- No one will know you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Who is a Candidate?
The Invisalign system is an excellent treatment option for those with mild to moderate orthodontic problems. In fact, the majority of malocclusion issues can be successfully addressed with this innovative procedure. You could be an excellent candidate if you have:
- Crowding of the teeth
- An overbite
- An underbite
- A cross bite
- Gaps between the teeth
This treatment option is particularly successful for patients who underwent traditional orthodontic treatment during their teenage years, but later relapsed. There are, however, certain conditions that necessitate traditional orthodontic treatment, such as severe rotation, misalignment, or other types of malocclusion. Dr. Markham will evaluate your eligibility during your complimentary consultation.
Your Treatment Timeline
Generally speaking, Invisalign treatment takes about 12 to 18 months to complete. However, each patient brings their own unique needs to the table, so timelines can vary for every individual.
If Dr. Markham determines that Invisalign is right for you, we will take digital impressions of your teeth and send them to a certified dental lab. Working closely with the technician, Dr. Markham will design a personalized treatment plan to establish exact and precise movements that will shift your teeth into their desired locations. The technician will then fabricate your custom trays and ship them to our office.
Once your aligners arrive, we will schedule you for an appointment to try in the first set. Dr. Markham will assess the fit and inform you when to change your trays out for the next set in the series. From this point on, your treatment can begin! You will wear your trays for a minimum of 22 hours every day. The aligners should only be removed when you are brushing, flossing, eating, or drinking.
Approximately every six to 10 weeks, you will visit our office so Dr. Markham can assess your progress. Patient compliance is the most important aspect of treatment. Following these guidelines will help you enjoy a successful and efficient process. Keep in mind, you will need to wear a retainer following your treatment to maintain your beautiful new smile. Dr. Markham will help you decide which type of retainer will work best with your lifestyle.
Learn More about Orthodontic Options at Maidu Dental
Are your teeth crooked, rotated, or misaligned? Do you have gaps in your smile? Invisalign could be the solution for you. To find out, schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Markham at our Auburn, CA practice. You can call our office at (530) 823-8771 or contact us online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Invisalign treatment?
If you’re looking for Invisalign treatment in Auburn, you should know that it’s much simpler than orthodontics with braces. The goal is the same and your orthodontist will plan to straighten your teeth and jaws with the clear aligners, but the mechanics are unique and you enjoy additional benefits.
What are the primary benefits of Invisalign treatment?
There are two main advantages when compared to braces. First, the clear aligners use a BPA-free plastic that looks almost invisible to most people. Second, they’re completely removable. This means you can take off the trays whenever you need to and most people won’t notice you’re undergoing treatment.
How will Invisalign treatment straighten my teeth?
Your clear aligners push your teeth gradually as they have preprogrammed biomechanics that realign your teeth safely. These clear aligner trays won’t perform simultaneous movements as they will only push teeth in one direction at a time, but can be more efficient at it depending on your specific case.
Is Invisalign treatment right for me?
Invisalign is an ideal solution for many patients because it helps correct many of the same problems braces do at a much faster pace and with added benefits. If you want a discreet solution that fits your lifestyle, orthodontic treatment with Invisalign is the way to go.
What is the treatment process?
First, you’ll have to come for an appointment with our orthodontist. Once here, we will create a 3D digital model to know exactly what you need and how to get it. After that, we will create the clear aligners and get them to you so you can start wearing them. Please, continue to change into the new set of aligners every couple of weeks and don’t skip your visits to the orthodontist to check your progress.
How many people have used Invisalign clear aligners?
During a press release back in April 2021, Invisalign CEO Joe Hogan celebrated reaching the 10 Million patient milestone, and the number hasn’t stopped growing. When you start your treatment with Invisalign you join a family of millions who’ve chosen to achieve the best version possible of their smile.
Does Invisalign make your teeth healthier?
Absolutely yes. As your teeth reach proper alignment, your dental hygiene becomes simpler. Unlike with crooked teeth, you won’t have to maneuver too hard to brush your teeth well and remove any and all leftover food particles caught in between your teeth. Besides, you can improve your oral hygien even during treatment, as these are removable aligners, you only need to pop them off and brush your teeth as usual.
How can I avoid losing weight with Invisalign?
Weightloss during orthodontics is a very delicate matter as it depends on each patient’s experience and circumstances. Many patients report losing weight as a result of their dietary changes. Consider that you have to wear your aligners anywhere from 20 to 22 hours every day, which won’t leave too much time for snacks.