If you would like to have a smile that’s straight and looks great, you need to consider your many options in the fields of cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics. Traditionally, to get a straight smile it was necessary to get traditional braces that used brackets and wires. Today, that is not the case. At the Downtown Dentists, we are proud to offer Invisalign®.
About Invisalign®
Invisalign® is a teeth straightening treatment option that is a fine alternative to traditional braces of the past. Rather than using brackets and wires, Houston Invisalign® uses a series of clear plastic aligners to achieve a better smile. These aligners are worn at all times save for when eating, drinking, or cleaning your teeth.
Good Candidates for Invisalign®
Most people who have crooked teeth are generally good candidates for Invisalign® treatment. First, however, you will need to meet with Dr. Sutherland for a consultation. During this consultation process, he will determine if Invisalign® is the right option for you and your needs. In some cases, you may not need Invisalign® and may benefit from getting porcelain veneers instead. In other cases, traditional braces may be required rather than Invisalign®.
The Invisalign® Treatment Process
The Invisalign® treatment process is simple and straightforward. After it’s determined that Invisalign® is right for you, a digital picture will be taken of your teeth. This information will be used to determine your treatment plan. A custom Invisalign® aligner will be created just for you that you will wear. Again, it should be worn at all times except when eating, drinking, or when cleaning your teeth.
After two weeks, you will receive another Invisalign® aligner. This next aligner will continue the straightening of your teeth. The process continues, with each subsequent aligner getting you closer to a more perfect smile. You’ll wear Invisalign® aligners as long as you’d wear braces, but no one will know they’re in place.
Benefits of Invisalign®
One of the most significant advantages of Invisalign® is that it is invisible to others. This is great if you have a job that requires you to be in public a lot or play sports that require the use of a mouthpiece. Both adults and teens benefit a lot from this near invisibility of Invisalign®. The Invisalign® aligners also come out easy and can be kept discreetly.
Since it’s only aligners that are used rather than brackets or wires, there is less potential irritation of the inner lips and the gums thanks to Invisalign®. Additionally, you can still eat your favorite food and not have to worry about problematic clean up.
Additional Aesthetic Smile Enhancements
Since Invisalign® aligners can be removed easily, many people undergo other smile makeover treatments in combination with Invisalign®. For example, it’s not unheard of for people to undergo Zoom!® teeth whitening at some point during or after their Invisalign® treatment. The same is true for other dental treatments and enhancements as well. In a sense, the convenience of Invisalign® is not just a benefit to patients but it allows dentists to enhance smiles without working around other dental appliances.
Schedule a Consultation for Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry
For more information about Invisalign® and your many other options for smile enhancement, contact our Houston cosmetic dentistry practice today.
