Technology has given us a lot of advancements in orthodontic treatment that make your options both budget and lifestyle-friendly. Not only have traditional metal braces become much easier to wear, but we have had many high-quality advancements in the possibilities of achieving your perfect smile pretty close to your preferred terms without them. These advancements make it easier than ever to reach your smile goals.
The metal brackets and wires aren’t a good fit or the first choice for some dental patients. Thankfully, the Invisalign clear aligner system is one of these cutting-edge advancements that may be just right for you. Invisalign offers an innovative approach to orthodontics by using a series of custom-made, invisible aligners. Using 3D computer imaging, each aligner is made specific to your teeth and gradually and gently shifts your teeth.
Here at McGrory Orthodontics, Dr. Kate McGrory and Dr. Marion McCarty have a lot of experience treating patients with Invisalign and are excited to offer this technology to our Bellaire and Pearland area braces patients. If this sounds like your solution, make sure you keep reading to find some clarity on the facts and fiction around Invisalign and reach out to get started on your journey to a delightful smile!
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth and consists of clear acrylic aligners that fit over your teeth and are custom-made for you and only you. These aligners are made of smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible plastic using photos and x-rays of your mouth to create a 3-D image that promotes a perfect fit without the need for goopy impressions.
Most patients will wear Invisalign for about nine to fifteen months and will typically use 18 to 30 sets during treatment.
The facts
Aligners like Invisalign have been around since the nineties and earlier versions, called trays, date back decades to when patients used them for post braces retainers. But Invisalign can move crooked and misaligned teeth in stages using a series of customized aligners. Each retainer is worn for about one to two weeks, and then you will swap to the next aligner in your series, allowing for precise adjustments based on your customized treatment plan.
Patients initially used Invisalign to correct simple spacing concerns and crowding, but it’s proven to be capable of much more, from overbites to crossbites and then some. The key is to determine the severity of the issues you need to adjust and work with your orthodontist to determine if this is the right treatment plan for you. Invisalign is an excellent choice at any age, so whether you want to avoid having braces in your yearbook photo or you feel you’re too old to sport metal brackets and wire, ask our expert team at McGrory Orthodontics if this treatment is a good fit for you!
One of the most noted facts about Invisalign is seeing the changes in your smile quickly and clearly since there are no brackets and wires to hide it all while it happens. Due to the cutting-edge technology and the weekly to biweekly series of aligners that make constant minor adjustments, you will begin to notice significant changes in your smile within about three months. While we are talking about the timeline and facts of Invisalign, another benefit of the removable aligner system is that you can take them out to eat, brush your teeth, or even for a photo. To be most effective, they need to be worn for approximately 22 hours a day, but you won’t get that flexibility with traditional braces.
Our entire team here at McGrory Orthodontics believes your family deserves honest, compassionate care delivered with state-of-the-art technology, so now that we’ve gotten some facts ironed out, let’s take a look at some of the fiction floating around about Invisalign.
Not so factual
These days anything described as “innovative” or “cutting-edge” can also mean expensive. Let’s go ahead and call fiction on that now. You’ll probably be pleasantly surprised to find out that, in most cases, Invisalign can cost the same or close to the amount you’d pay for conventional metal braces. Often, insurance will even cover much of the cost as it would for those traditional metal braces. Our team is also committed to making the insurance process as easy as possible, so we will take care of your insurance coverage research and help you complete the required forms and documents once treatment begins.
Somewhere along the lines, the myth that you are limited to what you can eat while using the Invisalign system started circulating. That can’t be further from factual. It’s common knowledge that you should avoid chewy, sticky, and crunchy foods with traditional braces, or you run the risk of breaking something or food getting stuck in complicated places. However, with Invisalign clear aligners, you just take them out before you eat or drink anything more than water, but nothing is off the table. Just remember to clean your teeth before putting them back in to avoid staining the retainer or having food trapped between the retainer and your teeth.
The last common myth about using Invisalign clear aligners for orthodontic treatment is remembering to wear the trays regularly. While this may seem like it would be a lot to remember, it’s not much different than wearing contact lenses. Between the Invisalign technology itself and our custom treatment plan, you’ll quickly get into the habit of wearing your retainers to your healthiest and straightest smile.
Fact beats fiction, and the choice is clear with Invisalign at McGrory Orthodontics
You’ll get a great smile without a treatment that gets in the way of your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth. This nearly invisible option to straighten your teeth is genuinely changing how people see orthodontic treatment.
When you lay it all out, there’s a lot that factors into whether or not Invisalign is right for you. Still, our talented and experienced team at McGrory Orthodontics hopes to honestly shed some light on what to expect from this popular option. This treatment continues to change the lives and smiles of many of our Bellaire and Pearland area patients.
If you wonder if this might be the best path to your brightest smile, get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation. There’s never been a better time to take advantage of the latest in orthodontic treatment!