So you know you need orthodontic work done. Maybe you’d like to improve your smile. Perhaps you’ve been told you have TMJ and need corrective work to reduce the stress on your jaw. There are plenty of reasons why you’ve decided it’s time to see an orthodontist.
Whatever the reason, everyone at Raleigh Orthodontics is glad you’ve landed here! Led by Dr. Daniel Grossman, we take pride in delivering the absolute best orthodontic care in Raleigh, Wakefield, Louisburg, and Creedmoor.
Part of that care includes letting our patients in on the newest and best treatment options available. And guess what? You may not have to mess with the hassle that comes with traditional braces. That’s right! Invisalign is an exciting alternative to traditional braces with some fantastic benefits. So read on, and we’ll discuss how to get the most out of your Invisalign treatment below!
What is Invisalign, anyway?
Great question! Invisalign is an advanced set of clear aligning trays that fit snugly over your teeth and gently move them into position over time. Much like traditional bracketed braces, they can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to render a full course of treatment.
Also, much like traditional braces, they are prescribed and administered by a trained orthodontist (or at least, they should be!).
While it might be true that any doctor or dentist technically could provide Invisalign treatment, the fact is that you are much better off coming in to see a specialist like Dr. Daniel Grossman of Raleigh Orthodontics. He has the experience and the latest in cutting-edge imaging and 3D printing tech (So you get your devices fast).
How does Invisalign work?
To start with, you’ll come into Raleigh Orthodontics for a free consultation. Then, Dr. Grossman and our skilled team will leverage the latest imaging technology to take a detailed scan of your teeth and jaw, at which point he will determine if Invisalign is right for you.
Isn’t Invisalign only for mild cases?
Wrong! While every smile is different, and there are cases in which traditional metal braces are more appropriate to unlock your best possible smile, Invisalign is much more flexible than many think when treating moderate to complex cases.
Invisalign has been around for over 20 years. Thousands of case studies of missing teeth, extractions, surgery, corrections of bad bites, and more have been successfully treated with Invisalign!
I’m cleared for Invisalign: now what?
Now Dr. Grossman will print your first set of Invisalign trays, and your treatment can get started! He’s developed an individual treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcome for your treatment. After about two weeks, you’ll come back for a new set of aligners, making tiny micro-adjustments to your teeth, bringing them closer and closer to your perfect smile!
The process will repeat every two weeks, and after what generally runs from 9-15 months, you’ll finish!
Set yourself up for Success:
While Invisalign has some great benefits compared to traditional brackets, it will be your responsibility to ensure your treatment goes as smoothly as possible. Try the following tips to keep things moving!
Wear Your Aligners!
This may seem obvious, but since they’re removable, it’s up to you to keep your Invisalign trays in! Dr. Grossman will likely tell you that you should wear your Invisalign aligners 22 hours per day and only remove them for mealtime, cleaning, and any sports or extracurricular activities such as specific wind instruments.
Keep Your Appointments!
Just like with the first tip, it’s up to you to meet with Dr. Grossman regularly and receive your new trays. You won’t have to come in for every new aligner set, but you will have to follow the schedule he gives you. Keep it up!
Alleviate Discomfort From New Aligners
While everyone here at Raleigh Orthodontics will work hard to ensure your Invisalign trays fit just how they’re supposed to and as comfortably as possible, some discomfort is not uncommon as you adjust to your new fit. You can minimize this by avoiding crunchy foods when you notice discomfort. Switch your trays out early in the morning. This will give you ample time to adjust before it’s time to go to bed when any discomfort tends to be worse.
Additionally, you can take over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil or ice your gums if discomfort is particularly challenging.
Hold On To Your Old Aligners
It’s usually best to keep your last set of aligners if you lose or break your current set. That way, you’ll have something handy to fill in while you wait for a replacement set. The previous set will ensure your teeth aren’t free to shift back to their original positions while you wait.
Keep Up Great Oral Health Habits
This one should be obvious, but you’ll want to maintain healthy brushing and flossing habits. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that, unlike with traditional brackets, you won’t have to learn a new way to brush!
Follow these tips, and you will surely have a great experience with Invisalign!
Wait – Isn’t Invisalign shorter than a course of braces?
Nope! It turns out that what determines the length of your corrective treatment is your own biology and initial conditions. Invisalign can be shorter than a course of traditional braces, but Dr. Grossman will work hard to develop the best treatment plan for your particular case.
What are you waiting for? Let’s get smiling!
Thank you so much for taking the time to learn more about your options for orthodontic treatment! We at Raleigh Orthodontics believe that it’s a motivated patient who takes an active role in their treatment that sees the biggest success story.
There’s no better option if you’re in or around Raleigh, Louisburg, Creedmoor, and Wakefield! We’re a five-star rated firm, and we believe we’ve earned that rating by being forthright, knowledgeable, and dedicated to providing the best service possible.
Dr. Grossman is passionate about giving back to the community, and that includes the work he feels blessed to do at Raleigh Orthodontics. So call for your free consult today, and let’s find out if Invisalign is right for you!