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.
Invisalign, or invisible braces, have become exceedingly popular over the years due to them being practically invisible while still working to straighten teeth. At our office in NYC, Dr. Mishaan actually prefers them over traditional braces, and is an expert at using Invisalign to craft the perfect smile.
The beauty of Invisalign is that the aligners are made from flexible plastic which can be removed when eating and you will usually receive different aligners during the course of your treatment. This ensures that your teeth continue to straighten out and remain comfortable while wearing the braces.
There can be many benefits when choosing Invisalign over braces. If convenience, comfort and appearance are important to you, then this option might be for you!
What is the Difference in Appearance When Wearing Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces?
The main difference when it comes to Invisalign braces and traditional braces is the fact that nobody can even tell you are wearing them!
Metal braces contain things like buttons, bite ramps and brackets and although your teeth may look beautiful afterwards, a mouth full of metal can be exceptionally unsightly. With a practically invisible tray, your professionalism at work will not be jeopardized (not to mention if you are at social functions and parties as well).
Convenience of Aligners vs. Braces
Another element that makes Invisalign braces different from braces is that you can remove your trays. Braces are cemented onto the teeth and can only be taken off when treatment is complete. You also need to pay exceptional attention to cleaning your teeth every single day when wearing braces. With Invisalign aligners, you can take them right out when brushing your teeth and they are easy to disinfect or clean using the proper solution.
The invisible trays are immensely easy to maintain because you take them out when you eat or drink anything and with braces, components like buttons, bite ramps and brackets can break or become damaged and require you to make an appointment to see your doctor immediately. They can also get things like food or bacteria stuck in them and it can be difficult to remove. With aligners, the only maintenance is taking them out before eating and soaking them in warm water to clean them.
Average Treatment Time With Invisalign
Not only are the invisible trays more comfortable, removable and more convenient, but they can also straighten your teeth faster than mental braces. They can also fix and treat a wide variety of issues such as over or under bite, overcrowded teeth, cross bite, open bite or gap teeth.
The average time for Invisalign treatment is only around 6 to 18 months and they only need to be worn 22 hours a day. With traditional braces, the average time span is approximately two years!
Treatment with braces can not only take a long time but they can also be painful or awfully uncomfortable while Invisalign is reported to be a lot more pleasant feeling and if they are bothering you too much, you can always remove them and take them out.
How Does Invisalign Work?
These clear plastic aligners work by being custom fit to your teeth and they gradually shift your teeth because you wear each tray for 22 hours throughout the day.
When you first have a dental consultation, Dr. Mishaan will perform an examination to determine the overall condition of your teeth and gums. If the dentist concludes that you have periodontal disease or cavities, those issues will be taken care of first to ensure your teeth are healthy enough to be moved and shifted.
If Dr. Mishaan determines Invisalign to be the right option for you, you will then get impressions made and your personal trays will be made. It can take up to a year of treatment and wearing the aligners, but each case is different and length of time can vary on a case-by-case basis. Visits to get new trays are typically every 4 to 6 weeks.
In addition, Invisalign retainers will be recommended once you finish treatment. Although the retainers are not required, teeth can shift back to the original position if you do not wear them. Dr. Mishaan’s ability to craft the perfect smile using Invisalign is second to none, but it’s important that dentist and patient work together to ensure the best results!
It is our goal at Midtown Dental Group to help you look and feel your absolute best and our leading dentist, Dr. Mishaan, can determine exactly how to get you there with his experience and expertise. Contact our office today to schedule a free Invisalign consultation.
One of the first things people notice about you when making a first impression is your smile. If you’re concerned that you may have crooked or unaligned teeth that are sending the wrong impression about you, you have a range of options to fix your smile including cosmetic dentistry, braces, or more popular due to the comfort and hidden appearance, Invisalign.
In most cases, Invisalign are a cost-effective and manageable solution to perfecting your smile and here are some of the benefits associated with an Invisalign smile.
With Invisalign, You Can Proudly Look Your Age
One of the top reasons that many adults avoid traditional metal or ceramic braces is because they don’t want to look like a teenager from the 80s. It is estimated that almost 4.5 million Americans wear braces, the majority of which range from the ages of 6 to 18 years old.
While it’s flattering when our waiter or waitress asks for an ID at dinner, you might feel more conscious about your age if it’s questioned due to visible hardware in your mouth. By straightening your teeth with invisible aligners, no one will know that you’re working on your smile except for you and your dentist.
Invisalign Are More Comfortable Than Braces
It’s not a surprise that the process of straightening your teeth can come with some minor discomfort, as your teeth are physically being moved and aligned over a period of time. One of the benefits of choosing an Invisalign over traditional braces is that they are often times reported as being more comfortable than traditional metal or ceramic braces.
Each invisible aligner is completely removable, unlike traditional braces which are affixed directly onto your teeth. The smooth plastic aligners also are less-likely to irritate your gums, lips, and cheeks.
Invisalign are Convenient
Unlike traditional metal or ceramic braces that need to be manually moved and adjusted every few weeks, your dentist will work with you to create a systematic series of custom aligners that will gradually move and straighten your teeth. You can minimize the time needed to take a long lunch break or rearrange your schedule to have your braces adjusted.
The Invisalign clear aligners are removable, you’re also able to remove them when needed. This means that you can take them off during meals, and maintain your normal oral hygiene routine without having to invest in specialty oral care products.
If you don’t like your smile, you’re not alone. In a recent study conducted by the American Association of Orthodontists, more than a third of Americans said that they avoid smiling because they don’t like their teeth.
Having been proudly practicing cosmetic dentistry for many years, we know that a brighter smile and straighter teeth can boost your confidence which is why so many people are happy with the results they get when they seek Invisalign for fixing their teeth.
If your teeth have shifted over the years, this is known to occur naturally and it can be corrected.
What Can Invisalign Help With?
If you’re wondering if you’re a candidate for Invisalign, it’s highly likely that you are. And if you happen to be one of the few that needs a different solution, we’re experts in Cosmetic Dentistry and can gladly find your path to a brighter smile.
Invisalign can successfully treat and address the following dental conditions:
Overbite
Underbite
Crossbite
Open bite
Gap teeth
Invisalign for an Overbite
An overbite is the overlapping or protruding of the upper teeth over the lower teeth and we typically see patients with either a vertical overbite whereby the top teeth significantly overlap. The other overbite we treat is a horizontal overbite which is when the top teeth not only overlap but also protrude. On some occasions, a patient have both.
Left untreated, an overbite can lead to many dental complications that are far more serious than cosmetic issues. Some patients with an untreated overbite suffer from jaw pain; difficulty speaking and chewing; and wearing down of tooth enamel which can contribute to tooth decay.
Invisalign is a subtle way to treat an overbite, aligning the teeth, giving you a perfectly aligned, and healthier, smile.
Invisalign for an Underbite
This is a similar condition, but an underbite occurs when the lower teeth overlap with the the upper teeth. The dental concerns and challenges we see with an underbite are very similar to that of an overbite. Often, a patient with an underbite may also have significant crowding of the teeth. Invisalign is an excellent option to reduce the crowding in the mouth and leave you feeling more confident with your smile.
Invisalign for a Crossbite
A crossbite will often present itself in childhood as a result finger sucking or prolonged use of a pacifier. A crossbite is a lateral misalignment of the dental arches. When this happens, the teeth are either closer to the cheek (more buccal) or lingual (closer to the tongue) position than is normal.
A crossbite is a relatively common reason for needing realignment of the teeth and Invisalign aligners can correct the crossbite. Invisalign is a successful solution for a crossbite, even if you choose treatment during adult life.
Invisalign for an Open bite
When the upper and lower teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed it is called open bite. Causes of open bite vary and can range from simple genetic inheritance to habits like thrusting of the tongue which over time push the incisors forward. Additionally, open bite can develop from temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJ.
TMJ can lead to pain and discomfort, jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and clicking and locking of the jaw. Realigning the overbite with Invisalign can lead not only to a to a more confident smile, but a more functional, pain-free jaw.
Invisalign For Gap teeth
The term gap teeth is used to describe a space between the teeth which can lead to the teeth becoming poorly aligned. This can lead to problems with biting and tooth decay as well as a noticeable gap in your smile. Invisalign is an excellent solution for patients with gaps in their teeth and we often find patients are very pleased with the results.
Invisalign Can Be Used With Veneers
If you have veneers and need your teeth straightened, Invisalign is a great choice because the aligners work to move your teeth into place using a unique approach. Whereas traditional braces use an arch wire and brackets that are bonded to your teeth with strong cement, Invisalign does not use brackets and wires. Rather, it uses plastic aligners, thereby protecting veneers from damage.
Daniell Mishaan D.M.D. is an expert New York City Dentist specializing in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Midtown Dental is located in the Manhattan Garment District in the heart of New York City. Dr. Mishaan has been named one of New York City’s best Dentists by Yelp and is loved by his patients. Contact Dr. Mishaan to make your appointment.
