Is It Ever Too Late To Straighten Your Teeth?

Metal Mouth. Railroad Tracks. Cheese Grater. Tin Grin. Tinsel Teeth.

Any of those nicknames sound familiar? Does your mind go to pictures of teenagers with big, metallic smiles, or even to complicated headgear?

Well, traditional braces are still around, even for adults. But if you’re an adult interested in straightening your teeth, then Invisalign is usually the most effective choice. In fact there are many adults who choose to straighten their teeth in their thirties, fourties, and even fifties and beyond, and that's just fine!

Options for Adults

For most adults, Invisalign is the treatment that makes the most sense. This system uses customized clear polyurethane plastic aligners that fit over your teeth, gradually shifting your teeth over the course of a year or two.

Treatment begins with a non-invasive 3D digital scan of your teeth, so no uncomfortable teeth molds. Then, based on these images, your orthodontist will work with Invisalign to create a plan of how your teeth will be adjusted over time. You’ll also be able to see how your teeth will look once the your treatment is done, just like taking a time machine into the future to see your new smile.

From there, your aligners will be custom-fit for your mouth. They will fit your gums perfectly. Then when they are ready, you’ll come into the office and pick up your aligners. You may need some attachments, which are ridges colored like your enamel and placed on your teeth. These attachments help Invisalign with moving your teeth in a more effective manner.

Your doctor will let you know what to expect from your treatment. Usually, you’ll get a new set of aligners once every one to two weeks, and you will wear your aligners from 20 to 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, drink, and brush your teeth. You’ll want to schedule check-up appointments every six to eight weeks.

What Invisalign Is Not

You may also have heard of other kinds of aligners that you can use at home with a remote orthodontist. And it’s true that those are cheaper alternatives to Invisalign. But you’ll be missing out on the in-office care and guidance of your orthodontist.

Aligners, just like braces, gradually move your teeth into a straighter smile, so it’s important to make sure that your smile is on track. In-office visits with your orthodontist will make sure that your smile is on point and fabulous. And, if you’re having any sort of issues with pain or discomfort, you can be treated by a doctor instead of "seen" by a remote physician.

How to Get the Best Results with Invisalign

One major benefit of Invisalign is the convenience. You won’t have painful popped wires or irritation from the metallic materials of traditional braces. Here are some tips to make the best out of your Invisalign treatment.

  1. Brush your regularly. This will help prevent your aligners from staining. It’ll also help to keep food particles from becoming stuck in your teeth and gums, which can cause tooth decay, gingivitis and other dental issues.
  2. Keep your aligners clean. This will again help your oral health. You can wash them in several kinds of solutions including just water, Invisalign's own cleansing tablets, or even a mild denture cleaner. If you have more questions about keeping your aligners clean, talk to your orthodontist.
  3. Be disciplined with your aligners. Because they are removable, you may be tempted with keeping your aligners out of your mouth for longer than the recommended two hours. But remember that your teeth have a mapped-out plan for alignment through Invisalign. To keep your teeth alignment on schedule, you must use them at least 20 hours a day.

It's never too late to get the smile you've always wanted.Contact us today at 719-574-2417 to schedule an appoint with our board-certified prosthodontist, Dr. Marina Funtik, DMD, MS, FACP.

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