If you are an adult and have crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth, chances are you have considered getting braces. However, as an adult, many of us don’t want to walk around with “metal mouth.” And who could blame us?
Even though traditional braces are much more discreet than they once were and the stigma of wearing braces is basically moot. Traditional metal braces give many of us flashbacks to middle school—a time in our lives most of us try not to remember. This is why so many adults in the United States who need orthodontic treatment are opting for invisible aligners.
Just like traditional braces, getting invisible aligners is a process that will take both time and money as well as consistency on the wearer’s end. With this in mind, let’s take a look at what exactly is involved when a person decides to get invisible aligners. From researching Rexburg orthodontists to what you’ll need to do once your “treatment” is complete, the following guide will take you from start to finish on your invisible aligner journey.
Research
Before making any decision, especially one involving your dental health, it’s always best to be informed. Researching the cost of invisible aligners, how long they will take to correct your smile, what to expect, and more are just some of the things you’ll want to plug into the Google search bar. Along with doing your own research to find articles that can help to answer your questions, research orthodontists near you and set up a consultation for the orthodontists you think will be a good fit.
Consultation
No matter if you want to get traditional braces, ceramic braces or invisible aligners, you will always want to make sure that you are working with an accredited orthodontist and not just a dentist. An orthodontist has additional training that dentists do not.
In your consultation with a Rexburg orthodontist, he or she will ask you questions about your dental health as well as, take pictures, and x-rays to determine whether or not you would be a good candidate for invisible trays. During this appointment, you will also be able to get a feel for the orthodontist and ask him or her any questions concerning their practice, recommended treatment, experience, cost, etc.
Remember, getting orthodontic treatment takes time, so you’ll want to make sure that you like your orthodontist and trust their work before moving forward.
Customized Treatment Plan & Impressions
After you’ve gotten the O.K. from your Rexburg orthodontist that invisible aligners will be the most effective treatment to straighten your smile, it’s time to create a treatment plan!
Following your consultation, your orthodontist will have you come in so that they can take photos, x-rays, and impressions of your teeth to create your customized treatment road map! Then, the orthodontist will have the impressions sent out to create your “set” of invisible aligner trays that will take you from start to finish.
Getting Your First Set of Invisible Aligners
Once your trays arrive, you will set up an appointment to be fitted for your first set of trays. Most often, you will need to have attachments bonded to your teeth to help the invisible trays work more efficiently. These attachments are virtually invisible and will be removed once your treatment plan is complete.
Once your first aligners are put on, your orthodontist will walk you through the process of how to take care of them. This will include when to remove them (during meals and when brushing and flossing), and what to avoid. Your aligners will need to be worn at least 20 to 22 hours every day to work correctly.
As your teeth shift, you will need to change your tray out every two weeks, and so on until treatment is complete.
Six Week Checkup
Every six weeks, your orthodontist will want to have an evaluation appointment to see how the treatment is working. At this appointment, he or she will be able to see how much progress your smile is making and what, if any, adjustments need to be made to allow things to move faster. Along with your six-week checkup with your orthodontist, it is critical to your dental health to make a regular checkup and cleaning appointment with your dentist every six months or as needed.
After Treatment is Over
You made it!
After a year or more of treatment, you finally can stop wearing your invisible trays, and your Rexburg orthodontist has removed any attachments that were bonded on at the beginning of treatment. Now it’s time to show off that smile with confidence!
Like many orthodontic treatment plans, once your “treatment” is complete, your orthodontist will most likely recommend a permanent or removable retainer in order to keep the progress that you have made. Discuss your options with your orthodontist to see what he or she thinks will be the best course for you.
If you would like to set up a consultation to discover whether or not you’re a good candidate for invisible aligners, please feel free to contact Randall Orthodontics in Rexburg, ID today. We can’t wait to help you smile with confidence!