For years, dental braces were the go-to solution for crooked teeth. However, advances in dental technology help today’s patients enjoy a range of choices in their orthodontic care. At Historic Hyde Park Dentistry, we provide Invisalign in Tampa, FL, to straighten crooked teeth.
Invisalign uses a series of aligners to shift teeth into a straighter position. This cosmetic dental treatment straightens teeth and improves the appearance of the smile. Invisalign aligners are a much more discreet alternative to traditional braces in our Tampa, FL, dental office.
Benefits of Invisalign in Tampa, FL
Metal braces use brackets, wires, and elastic to shift teeth into a straighter position. Alternatively, Invisalign uses clear aligners that fit over the teeth like mouthguards.
There are many benefits of Invisalign treatment, especially over metal braces. Invisalign aligners offer:
- Removable Aligners: You can remove your clear aligners to eat and drink what you want. You do not have dietary restrictions against hard or crunchy foods like popcorn, nuts, or hard candy.
- Easy Cleaning: You don’t have to try to floss or brush between wires and brackets when you undergo Invisalign treatment. Instead, you can brush your floss as normal after you remove your aligners.
- Clear Aligners: The clear Invisalign aligners are less noticeable than metal braces. Clear Invisalign aligners blend in with teeth for a more discreet treatment.
- Quick Treatment: Most patients complete Invisalign treatment in twelve months. Your Invisalign treatment time often depends on how crooked your teeth are and how you care for your aligners.
Who is a Candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign is best for teens and adults with mild to moderate orthodontic problems. Clear Invisalign aligners can fix gaps between teeth, crooked teeth, overbites, crossbites, underbites, and open bites.
We do not recommend Invisalign for children because their jaws are not fully developed. If you experience bruxism or teeth clenching and grinding, please let us know before treatment. Clenching and grinding will damage the Invisalign aligners. We will recommend TMJ treatment before Invisalign treatment.
How Much Is Invisalign?
Every patient has unique dental needs. The cost of your Invisalign treatment will depend on the severity of your orthodontic problems. It will cost more to receive treatment over 18 months than 12 months. After an examination and consultation, we will estimate the cost of your Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign Treatment in Tampa, FL
To begin treatment, Dr. Benedict will examine your smile to see which areas of the smile require treatment. Then, using the iTero scanner, Dr. Benedict will take a quick and precise 3D scan of the teeth. Using this scan, Dr. Benedict can help plan your Invisalign treatment. Dr. Benedict will also send specifications to Invisalign.
Technicians will create the aligners from durable plastic materials. After your aligners arrive from Invisalign, we will ensure they fit correctly. Then, we will send you home with your aligners and case.
You will switch out your new aligners for a new set every one to two weeks. We will help you schedule follow-up appointments with Dr. Benedict approximately every two months. Invisalign shifts teeth gradually into their ideal position by gently applying a calculated force through each clear aligner.
Caring for Invisalign Aligners
Invisalign is made from dental-grade plastic material. It’s essential to care for Invisalign aligners for the best treatment possible. Here are some of the best practices to care for your Invisalign aligners:
Clean the Aligners Regularly
Just as you brush and floss your teeth twice daily, you must clean your aligners regularly. Gently rinse them with water and scrub their surfaces with a soft-bristled toothbrush. This helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy during the treatment phase. Do not clean the aligners with mouthwash, soap, or denture cleanser. These substances are too hard on the Invisalign materials.
Do Not Eat with Invisalign
Invisalign uses removable aligners. You may take your aligners off whenever you need to eat, drink, or brush your teeth. Eating with your aligners on could damage them. They can also make the aligners ineffective.
Eating with Invisalign on your teeth could change the shape of the aligners. Additionally, it could change the pressure applied to teeth.
Clean Your Teeth Thoroughly
You can remove your aligners to clean your mouth. Once your teeth and gums are clean, you can place your aligners back on your teeth. Proper cleaning can ensure the treatment progresses as desired.
If you have any food lodged between the teeth, it could affect the pressure the aligners apply to the teeth. You would also feel uncomfortable with the aligners in your mouth.
Keep the Aligners Safe
Invisalign has a storage case to keep them safe when you take them off. Please store your aligners in the case whenever you’re not wearing them. Avoid leaving them outside their case, on the bed, table, etc. Keep the aligners away from children and pets to prevent any damage.
Avoid placing your aligners in a tissue, napkin, or paper towel. You can accidentally throw away your aligners. Instead, keep them in their case.
How to Prevent Future Crooked Teeth
Orthodontic relapse occurs when your teeth shift out of their straightened positions. If you do not wear a retainer after Invisalign treatment, you can experience tooth gaps and crooked teeth.
We will provide retainers after you complete Invisalign treatment. Retainers are mouthguard-like appliances that will keep your teeth straight. Once you complete the Invisalign treatment, we will take impressions of your teeth to create your retainers. Then, when your retainers are complete, you will return to our office for a fitting. You will bring your retainers and their case home.
At first, you will wear your retainers for twenty to twenty-two hours a day. Then, you can wear them at night months after you complete treatment. You can care for your retainers like your clear aligners. Use a mouthguard soak to clean your retainers daily. Remove your retainers to eat and drink.
You will notice that your retainers will no longer fit your teeth if you do not wear your retainers long enough. Please get in touch with our office if you lose your retainers. You may need more orthodontic treatment if your teeth revert to their previous positions.
Straighten Your Smile
Do you want to address crooked, overcrowded teeth? We invite you to schedule a dental appointment with our dental experts to get all your oral concerns addressed as soon as possible. Please call us for Invisalign treatment in Tampa, FL, today at 813-733-6981. You can also schedule an appointment online.
Please let us know if you have questions about the Invisalign treatment. We will answer them during your next visit.