As your premier orthodontist in Litchfield Park & Buckeye, it’s our goal at Olson Orthodontics to make sure that you receive the most exceptional orthodontic care possible. We offer our patients a number of different orthodontic treatments, including Invisalign, a revolutionary way to give a patient a straighter smile. If you’re unfamiliar with Invisalign or you’d just like to learn more, we’ve provided you with answers to some of the most common Invisalign questions. Read on to learn more!
What Is Invisalign?
Instead of using metal wires and brackets, Invisalign uses clear, plastic aligners to give a patient a straighter smile. These aligners are placed over an arch of teeth and will gradually shift a patient’s teeth into proper alignment. You’ll have a series of aligner sets that are meant to be worn for one week at a time in a predetermined order.
How Long Does the Invisalign Treatment Last?
Undergoing treatment with Invisalign is typically shorter than treatment with traditional braces. It should generally take about 6 to 18 months for the treatment to be completed. The exact amount of time it’ll take will differ based upon the severity of a patient’s orthodontic condition.
How Often Do I Have to Visit My Orthodontist?
It’s recommended that you visit your orthodontist about every six to ten weeks so that we can ensure that your treatment is progressing just as planned.
How Often Do I Have to Wear My Aligners?
In order for your Invisalign treatment to work as intended, you’ll need to keep your aligners in for at least 22 hours every day. You’ll still have enough time to take the aligners out for cleaning your teeth, eating, and any other important occasions.
Is the Invisalign Treatment Painful?
Don’t worry – the Invisalign treatment is pain-free! You may feel a bit of discomfort or pressure upon initially putting in a new set of aligners though. Not to worry, however, as the discomfort will generally subside after a day or so as you get used to wearing the aligners.
What Foods Will I Need to Avoid?
Unlike traditional braces, you won’t need to avoid any certain types of food. Since you can remove your aligners before you eat, you can continue to eat all of the foods that you love!
Will My Aligners Affect My Speech?
Like any other orthodontic treatment, there will be a small adjustment period where you’ll have to get used to speaking with your aligners in. The more you speak with your aligners in, the quicker it’ll be for you to get adjusted to them.
Can I Still Chew Gum?
You can still chew gum, but we recommend taking your aligners out beforehand since the gum can sometimes stick to the aligners.
Can I Still Smoke?
We strongly discourage that patients smoke during Invisalign treatment since smoking can end up discoloring your aligners and also smoking has been shown to have a negative effect on tooth movement, which can make your treatment take longer and be less effective.
Will I Need to Wear Retainers Afterward?
Just like with all other forms of orthodontic treatment, you’ll need to wear a retainer afterward to ensure that your teeth don’t shift back into crooked positioning.
Does Invisalign Work for Kids?
Yes! Invisalign now offers treatment options appropriate for treating specific orthodontic problems in children as young as 8 years old. We also offer Invisalign Teen, a treatment which is developed for younger patients.
How Do I Get Started with My Invisalign Treatment?
That’s easy! Just get in touch with your orthodontist here at Olson Orthodontics and our entire team will help put you on the path toward a straighter and healthier smile! We use the latest technologies to make getting started as easy as possible, including a digital scanner to capture exact measurements of your teeth for the best fitting aligners. This means no more sticky impressions!
Contact Olson Orthodontics Today!
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know! We have two offices, conveniently located in Litchfield Park and Buckeye, AZ, and serve all surrounding areas including Verrado, Avondale, and Goodyear! If you’d like to schedule an appointment, feel free to give our Olson Orthodontics team a call at (623) 536-7004. We can’t wait to hear from you!