Great News for Adults who want Straight Teeth

Louisville, KY

Many people have lived most of their lives with teeth that are crooked and/or a bite that is misaligned. Once we’re adults, we may care a bit more about our appearance, whether it’s for personal or professional reasons. Crooked or twisted teeth may prevent us from flashing a smile when we’re happy or laughing. This can impact self-confidence and a person’s overall quality of life.

But when most people think about straightening their teeth, their minds instantly turn to traditional braces and a mouth full of metal brackets and wires, most commonly worn by teenagers and adolescents. Technology in the dental world has advanced, however, and now straightening teeth has never been quicker or more discreet! Clear aligner therapy is the great news that adults with crooked teeth have been waiting for. Read on to learn more from our Invisalign dentist in Louisville.

What is clear aligner therapy?

Invisalign uses custom-designed, clear aligner trays to straighten teeth in usually a fraction of the time it takes traditional metal braces. Invisalign works exactly like braces in that it’s designed to realign teeth with slow, gentle pressure using minor adjustments throughout treatment. But Invisalign does the job much more discreetly.

The clear aligner trays used with Invisalign are fabricated using digital images and scans of the teeth. The aligners are then custom-crafted to fit snuggly around the teeth, up to the gumline. The aligners need to be worn at least 22 hours a day, being removed only for eating, brushing and drinking anything other than water. Care of the trays is easy: just clean them with the recommended cleaning solution, then store them when needed in a hard case that is provided as part of your treatment plan. Orthodontic aligners should be cleaned twice a day, just like you would brush your teeth.

How soon will I see results?

Treatment time varies on a case-by-case basis, but Invisalign treatment can be completed in as few as 12-18 months. A patient will wear each set of aligner trays for two to three weeks and then will switch to a smaller set of trays. Our cosmetic dentist near Jeffersonville will schedule routine checkups during treatment to monitor progress.

How does it feel to wear Invisalign?

Most patients report the Invisalign trays are comfortable and easy to wear. When it’s time to change to a new set of trays, patients may feel a bit of tenderness or discomfort. This is caused by the teeth gently shifting during treatment, and this is how you’ll know that Invisalign is doing its job for you! Switching to a new, smaller set of trays will apply pressure in a slightly different way than the previous set. The discomfort should go away in just a couple of days when the teeth become accustomed to the pressure. But even if you feel no pressure, rest assured that the Invisalign trays are working!

Invisalign Provider in Louisville, Jeffersonville, and Shepherdsville, KY

If you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign and using clear aligner therapy to straighten your teeth and/or correct your bite, contact our team at Exceptional Dentistry, 888-918-3336, or reach us online to schedule a consultation today.