How Does Invisalign Work?
Before you can actually start wearing your aligners, you need to visit the best place for Invisalign in North Little Rock—Dean Dental Solutions.
When you come into our offices, we’ll use special equipment to take a precise 3D digital scan of your teeth. The results of that scan will be used to develop a custom treatment plan that’s based on the exact position of your teeth.
Only after this scan is taken can your treatment plan be mapped out, and your aligners constructed.
When your Invisalign aligners are ready, you’ll come back to Dean Dental Solutions to pick them up—during this visit, the dentist will ensure they fit properly before letting you walk out the door.
You can expect to come back to Dean Dental Solutions every six to eight weeks so the dentist can assess your progress and provide you with the next set of aligners.
What Is Invisalign Made Of?
Invisalign aligners are constructed from a patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack® that was created especially for Invisalign. This FDA-approved thermoplastic is durable, effective, and free from BPA, BPS, latex, and gluten.
What Does Invisalign Look Like?
Invisalign is an amalgamation of two words: “invisible” and “alignment.” To that end, Invisalign is designed to look like nothing—it’s meant to be an invisible way to straighten teeth. Whereas braces are noticeable from across the room, no one can tell you’re wearing your Invisalign aligners unless they’re closely examining your mouth.
Why Do People Get Invisalign?
People get Invisalign for the same reason they get braces—they want a straighter, more symmetrical smile. But people also get Invisalign because they want an inconspicuous form of treatment—whereas braces are impossible to miss, most people won’t notice that you’re wearing aligners.
How Long Will My Invisalign Treatment Last?
Each Invisalign treatment plan is customized to the patient, so there’s no way of knowing exactly how long you’ll need to wear your aligners. Having said that, most treatment plans last at least 6 months and go no longer than 18 months.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost for Invisalign will vary depending upon the amount of treatment you need to correct your smile. In most cases, your Invisalign treatment will cost approximately the same as a traditional braces-based treatment.
What Happens When I Finish My Invisalign Treatment?
Even when your Invisalign treatment plan is finished, your teeth can still move. For that reason, your dentist will recommend that you always wear a retainer at least a few nights a week when you’re sleeping to counteract any movement, and protect your new, Invisalign-perfect smile.
Invisalign Versus Braces?
While Invisalign and braces correct many of the same issues, Invisalign corrects them in a gentler, less intrusive way. Whereas braces must be worn non-stop for a period of months or years, Invisalign aligners can be removed for eating, drinking, tooth brushing, flossing, contact sports, and various other activities.
Because the aligners can be removed for eating and drinking, they have a significant advantage over traditional braces when it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene (braces are famous for trapping bits of food, facilitating the growth of plaque).
Invisalign aligners are also less painful—traditional braces have sharp, metal brackets that can catch and cut the soft tissues of the mouth (lips, gums, and tongue).
Of course, the biggest difference between Invisalign aligners and traditional braces is the appearance. Made from clear plastic, Invisalign aligners are hard to see with the naked eye when they’re being worn out in public, whereas braces are impossible to miss.
What Can Invisalign Fix?
Invisalign can fix many of the same problems that are traditionally fixed with braces, including teeth crowding, gapped teeth, overbite, and underbite.
