With so many options for straightening the teeth these days, we understand that going through the process can feel both overwhelming and confusing. In fact, you may think that all braces involve those little metal brackets that were popular in the not-too-distant past.
While metal braces still exist, Invisalign braces are now the more popular choice, especially amongst professionals in NYC who want to look their best while at work and play! The clear Invisalign braces make them far more discreet than traditional metal braces; most times people can’t even tell you’re wearing them.
Learning more about Invisalign can help you to understand what these braces do and whether or not they offer a permanent solution for straightening your teeth.
Understanding Invisalign
Whether you’re looking into adult braces or getting ones for your kids, this type of straightening method is as the name implies. While metal brackets are visible on the front of teeth, Invisalign structures are virtually invisible.
People of all ages tend to worry about what they will look like after having this dental procedure done, and the good news is that wearing Invisalign braces doesn’t really change one’s appearance. It’s unlikely that anyone would even be able to tell that you’re wearing this invisible set!
The initial suggestion that your bite may need correcting usually comes from your general dentist, who then recommends that you see an orthodontist or Cosmetic Dentist like Dr. Mishaan, who can prescribe this treatment option. Here in our NYC office, we are actually able to both recommend and treat with Invisalign, saving you an extra step!
Invisalign can be used to straighten the teeth, or it may also serve as a tool for helping individuals with an overbite or an under-bite. Treating an irregular bite can be an important cosmetic treatment that not only helps you look your best, but preserves the health of your jaw and bone structure.
The only way to know for sure what you qualify for is to have an appointment with an Invisalign specialist. Dr. Mishaan can guide you toward the best plan for your mouth.
Permanency
As with virtually any procedure, we understand that you probably want to know how long the treatment is going to last.
So now for the main question: Is Invisalign a permanent solution?
The short answer is that yes, the purpose of Invisalign braces is to provide you with straight teeth for life. However, it’s not quite that simple.
Think about your teeth right now. If you are seeking any type of orthodontic treatment, they are likely crooked in some capacity. While Invisalign helps straighten them, if you do not properly care for your teeth and the Invisalign structures while wearing them. In other words, imagine that the doctor prescribed you medicine but you never took it. It wouldn’t work!
So, let’s learn more about Invisalign treatment and about proper care in order to ensure the long-term success of wearing these invisible braces.
Caring For Your Invisalign Braces
Back when people almost always wore metal brackets for these types of issues, they had many restrictions placed on them. For example, they could not eat certain types of food. Invisalign’s invisible structures generally come with fewer rules, restrictions and suggestions; however, in order to get the most out of wearing the braces, you need to follow the information that you’re given. Failure to do so could interfere with the tool’s ability to permanently straighten your teeth.
Don’t Skip Your Dental Visits & Follow-ups
During your time wearing these structures, you’re going to need to schedule check-ups with your dentist or orthodontist, or Dr. Mishaan if you’re planning to visit our dental office here in NYC.
If you constantly skip your appointments or entirely disappear until the time comes to have them removed, you are decreasing the chances that the invisible units will permanently straighten your teeth.
We always recommend that our patients make sure to keep up with the appointments until the dentist (or orthodontic specialist if you’re going elsewhere) tells them that the treatment is complete.
Wear Your Retainer
When the structures are removed from your teeth, you are probably going to get an Invisalign retainer. This practice is certainly a common one in the field of orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry.
Dr. Mishaan, an Invisalign specialist, is then going to give you instructions about wearing the retainer. For example, you may need to wear it all day at the beginning and then slowly start wearing it for shorter periods of time each day. It’s also possible that you will need to wear it for only portions of the day from the start. Situations vary from one another. What’s important here is that you do exactly what the orthodontist/dentist says in order to optimize the possibility of long-term success.
As you can see, the answer to the question of whether or not Invisalign is a permanent solution is really that it depends on your commitment and care to the treatment! Yes, this procedure is designed to be one that will provide you with permanent results. However, in order to get those results, you need to make sure that you are caring for your mouth.
As a team, we find that our patients and Dr. Mishaan can work together to craft the perfect mouth and smile.
If you’d like to learn more about Invisalign, contact our office today. Dr. Mishaan and our staff would be happy to review your options with you and see if Invisalign may be right for you.