Deciding Is Invisalign Is The Right Choice For You
ShareThere are a number of orthodontic treatment options on the market today, but Invisalign braces are one of the more popular choices out there. Not everyone is a perfect candidate for the procedure, though. If you're curious about whether it represents a good choice for you, these are the four issues you'll want to discuss with your orthodontic treatment services provider.
Oral Health Issues
One of the primary reasons a practitioner may not want to use Invisalign with a specific patient is that their oral health may not be ideal for the procedure. For example, a history of cavities or carries might be indicative of teeth that are too brittle to be subjected to the physical pressures associated with the process. The same applies if a person is experiencing active gum disease issues. X-rays will need to be performed to determine just how suitable a patient's oral health is to using aligners.
Time Period for Treatment
Most estimates for an Invisalign treatment indicate that a patient will be using aligners for between a year and 18 months. Some cases end up going as long as 24 months, and there are some lucky ducks who can get straight teeth in about 6 months. Most patients will begin to see signs of improvement within the first 6 weeks, although results will vary.
On a daily basis, you can expect aligners to be in for 22 hours. This can present problems for younger children and even some more fidgety teens and adults.
Maturity is a serious issue that needs to be evaluated in advance because the system has to be in a lot. Hydration and meals often have to be planned around the two hours per day that the aligners are not in. This can present problems for athletes and individuals who have active lifestyles. Inform your practitioner of any such personal requirements early on in your first consultation.
Securing the Aligners
While the aligners are generally thought of as invisible, you may need to have attachments installed to keep them in place. These may number between two and 20, and they can be placed in inconspicuous locations. If they have to be on visible surfaces, attachments can also be provided in either matching teeth colors or clear materials.
Completion
Retainers are often needed all day for the first three months after the process is completed. After that, most folks will need to wear retainers at night going forward.