Three easy steps for straighter teeth and a confident smile with Invisalign®
Dr. Sanjay Dhir and Dhir Dentistry in San Diego, California, are proud to provide a blend of authentic, relationship-based care and advanced dental technologies and treatments. Invisalign® represents a high-tech way to straighten teeth and correct bite problems comfortably, precisely, and efficiently without braces.
The basics
Braces use stainless steel brackets, wires, and specialized rings or bands to place pressure on the teeth and incrementally reposition them. The braces are “fixed.” So, they can only be removed or adjusted by your dentist or orthodontist. Invisalign® is different. First introduced in the late 1990s, this treatment uses a series of removable aligner trays or oral appliances to place consistent force on the teeth, gradually moving them into proper alignment. The trays are made from smooth, transparent BPA-free plastic. Patients appreciate that they can be:
- Removed for comfortable eating and easy brushing and flossing.
- Are not visible in the smile because the plastic is clear or see-through.
- Do not poke up against the inside of the mouth.
- Require little to no adjustment period.
- Effectively correct a wide range of alignment and bite problems.
Check out Sophie's Invisalign experience to see whether this is the right solution for you!
Sophie Parker was embarrassed because of how her crooked teeth looked and never had the confidence to show off her teeth in public and photos. She had difficulty flossing and had trouble maintaining good oral health. She had neglected her teeth for many years without knowing a proper treatment to align her teeth. Sophie began to hear about Invisalign, a clear brace that is barely visible, it sounded perfect. Sophie visits Dr. Dhir, a professional dentist recommended by her friend, to get Invisalign treatment. After conducting the necessary examinations, Dr. Dhir decided to implement an Invisalign treatment plan to get Sophie’s smile back on track.
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that straightens teeth without using metal braces. It is a series of custom-made, clear braces that gently pull your teeth into the proper position over time. Invisalign clear aligners are made from BPA-free plastic and will align your teeth in half the time needed with traditional braces. You will have beautiful and precisely aligned teeth in no time. Sophie’s teeth were realigned, and she was amazed that Invisalign made it possible to have highly effective and discreet treatment that did not affect her social or professional life. Restore your smile with Invisalign, the virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth and achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
The process
Our patients also like that we can show them exactly how their Invisalign®-treated teeth will look post-treatment during their initial consultation, thanks to the beauty of advanced software. Using proprietary software, we can create a 3-Dimensional model of your mouth. This model aids in educating the patient about treatment and allows you to see exactly how your teeth will look like treatment progresses. Think of it as a form of “try before you buy.”
From this model, your aligners will be fabricated. You slip the aligner trays in your mouth, like a retainer or whitening tray. Only remove the trays for eating meals and cleaning your teeth. After around two weeks, you will wear a different aligner tray. Each tray corresponds with a further step in treatment. So, you must wear the trays in the correct order. The total number of trays, and in turn, total treatment time, depends on the type of misalignment that we are correcting and the severity of the condition. Generally, 20 to 29 sets are needed to complete treatment successfully.
You will visit Dr. Dhir as instructed. He will check to see how the treatment is coming along and assure everything is progressing as it should be. We can also provide suggestions and recommendations for caring for your aligners properly. All in all, Invisalign® is a coveted, stress-free, no-hassle way to get a smile that you can be proud of! Plus, evenly spaced teeth are easier to clean, which makes Invisalign® a great way to keep your mouth healthy.
Call us at (858) 358-5801 to schedule your Invisalign® consultation.
FAQ
Invisalign can correct some of the below issues, depending on the severity of the problem.
- Crooked teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Open bite
- Crossbite
- Crowding
- Gapped teeth
- The transparent plastic trays can be worn discreetly without being noticeable.
- Can be removed for comfortable eating and easy brushing and flossing.
- Correct a range of alignment and bite problems.
- Require little to no adjustment period.
- Do not poke against the inside of the mouth.
Most patients do not report any adverse effects on their speech after starting treatment. However, it may take a while for a person to adjust to having a foreign object in the mouth, which is natural even with traditional braces. You may initially have a slight lisp, but once you get used to your orthodontic appliances, which may only take a few days, you will be doing all your normal activities, including speaking, clearly and confidently.
Brush and rinse them in lukewarm water. Speak to Dr. Dhir about using the special Invisalign cleaning crystals or tablets. Brush your teeth after each meal before re-inserting your aligners to maintain good oral hygiene. Food residues in the mouth may stain your aligners otherwise.
If you have completed orthodontic treatment, whether it is Invisalign or traditional braces, your doctor will likely recommend wearing retainers to prevent your teeth from gradually shifting back into their original position. However, every person and every case is different, so discuss this issue with Sanjay Dhir, DDS, to get everything cleared up about your treatment.
