Who doesn’t dream of having the perfect smile? However, a lot of us don’t want to go through the trouble of getting braces to achieve our dream smile. Fortunately, Invisalign clear aligners give you the option to get straight teeth without the hassle of braces!
Braces are still used to straighten teeth, but they are not the only option for patients. Braces use brackets with wires connecting them. These wires are made to move the teeth slowly in one direction as they guide the teeth to a more even position. The brackets come in clear plastic or metal materials and have bands that come in a variety of colors. But, unfortunately, braces are limiting to what a patient can eat, and they can be uncomfortable and not very aesthetically-pleasing.
Invisalign offers a great solution to these problems. They work in a similar fashion as traditional braces, but they are removable and transparent, making it a virtually invisible treatment option for people who want to keep their dental treatment on the down-low. Invisalign aligners are custom-made retainers that change the position of the teeth over time. They serve the purpose of braces, but they are clear and don’t have the same restrictions as braces do with their brackets and wires.
Why would I choose Invisalign?
Apart from their convenience and invisibility, there are still even more reasons as to why they may be the perfect option for you. Below are many benefits to Invisalign that demonstrate why so many people love this treatment option.
Confidence
Many of us hate the look of traditional braces and feel uncomfortable getting them, especially as an adult. Invisalign offers a great way to feel confident showing off your smile while striving to perfect your teeth and bite.
As effective as traditional braces
Invisalign aligners offer fantastic results, as good as traditional braces. Overbites, underbites, gaps, and overcrowding can all be fixed with Invisalign. During this treatment, you will be fitted with several different invisible retainers that make tiny adjustments to the position of your tooth over time. These aligners are made from a plastic material, and they fit perfectly over the teeth.
Eating habits
There are some things that you cannot eat when you have braces. You have to avoid eating certain sweets, popcorn, raw carrots, apples, bagels, etc. With Invisalign aligners, you will bypass these restrictions because you can remove them when you are eating and indulge in anything you want!
Cost-effective
Invisalign is also a cost-effective way to straighten your teeth. You can get them directly through your dental office, so you already know if your dentist takes your insurance and can work with them to find out how much coverage you have or a payment plan that works for you. Some dentists and orthodontists even offer monthly payments to make the treatment affordable and convenient.
Convenient Treatment
The Invisalign treatment takes 12 months on average depending on the condition of the teeth that need to be moved. Your follow-up visits to your dentist along the way are usually very short, about every 6 weeks or so. This allows your dentist to make recommendations and check your progress to ensure your teeth are moving together correctly.
Aesthetics
This is probably one of the main factors as to why Invisalign is the preferred treatment by most people over traditional braces. Not only do they give you the great results you are looking for, but they are also almost invisible! People will barely notice you’re wearing them, and you are able to remove them at any time to fit your lifestyle.
Fix your bite
This aligner doesn’t only help you feel confident smiling, but it also works to improve your health. When your bite is corrected, you can relieve jaw and joint pain, headache pain, and improve how you chew to better your overall health.
Reduced pain during treatment
If you grind your teeth, it can make your muscles sore and cause other dental problems. The treatment for this is usually a custom mouthguard. However, wearing Invisalign aligners will also help protect you from grinding your teeth because of the protective layer between the teeth.
Improve your dental hygiene
When you have traditional braces, there are a lot of hard-to-reach places to brush and floss to keep your teeth clean. On the other hand, with Invisalign, you can remove your aligners and you can brush and floss your teeth easily without barriers. Not to mention, that when you have crooked or cluttered teeth, it is more difficult to clean them and bacteria can grow with ease. Once the aligners straighten your teeth, it will be easier to clean them and ensure you don’t have plaque or tartar build-up.
No discoloration
It is possible to get teeth discoloration when you have other dental treatments like braces. This can occur when the patient is eating sugary foods or drinks that leave stains, such as coffee, tea, wine, etc., and not taking time to clean all the nooks and crannies of his or her braces. Although you can still get teeth discoloration without braces, your chances are lower with Invisalign, as you can take out your clear aligners at any time and easily brush or floss each area of your teeth.
How to use Invisalign
To be successful with this treatment, you need to wear them at least 20 to 22 hours a day. This means that you need to wear them all day and night with the exception of removing them when you are eating or brushing your teeth. This ensures that your teeth are moving in the right direction and not reverting back to their original state. After your Invisalign treatment has been completed, you risk the teeth returning to their original form. To counter this, your dentist can offer you a retainer to wear at night to ensure that you maintain your beautiful new smile.
Most of us would agree that your most magnetic facial feature is your smile. Since the field of dentistry has seen tremendous advances in technology and procedures to help restore and maintain great smiles, you don’t have to worry about having chipped, uneven, stained or crooked teeth on your wedding day, graduation, or any other upcoming event! 5 Points Advanced Dentistry offers procedures that can help you smile with confidence as you prepare for a graduation or a wedding. Dr. Imm will help you in the selection of the most suitable options, depending on your desired results.
Teeth Whitening At Our Office
Teeth whitening is probably the easiest way to make your smile stand out and help you feel more confident attending any upcoming events. There are many different options for teeth whitening. In our office, we use the ZOOM! Whitening system to help our patients have white smiles. It is very convenient for busy patients, as we can brighten and whiten your smile by several shades in just a single visit! The ZOOM! system is suitable for almost anyone and we customize the treatment to help you achieve the results you want. Schedule your in-office teeth whitening session today at 5 Points Advanced Dentistry to enjoy the benefits of Zoom!® advanced teeth whitening technology!
At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
There are also other options if you don’t want to get your teeth whitened in the office. If you would prefer to whiten your teeth gradually in the comfort of your own home, talk to us about the DayWhite® or Opalescence® Boost teeth whitening kits. You can wear a tray filled with a whitening solution when it is most convenient for you and see results within 10 to 14 days. We have many busy patients looking for a simple and effective teeth whitening solution that love their results with our take-home whitening systems.
Dental Crowns
The purpose of dental crowns is to restore the normal size, shape, and strength of your tooth, and also to cover any imperfections in your teeth. Unlike teeth whitening that cleans the teeth, a crown covers the tooth. A crown can make teeth look great and feel stronger. If you have a tooth filling you don’t want to be seen, for example, a crown can cover it up, whereas teeth whitening cannot. A crown is a great way to cover teeth that are out of position, uneven, or discolored.
Do you have weak teeth that you and your dentist are concerned they might break? Dr. Imm can prepare a crown to prevent brittle teeth from chipping or breaking, as well as to restore already broken teeth. This is a great treatment option that allows you to keep your natural tooth, but ensure that it will be stronger and aesthetically pleasing. There are several materials that are used to make crowns and they range from very strong to very aesthetically appealing. With your help, your dentist will choose the right one for you. The crown is custom-made to fit your tooth and goes over top of the natural tooth. Essentially, it looks like a thimble and it is cemented to your tooth. If a crown is recommended by your dentist, then it is the chosen procedure to solve the dental issues listed above. Always remember that the primary objective of the dentist is to ensure that you have a healthy smile for life!
Bridges and Implants
Do you have missing teeth that are affecting your confidence in your smile? Or do you have a hard time chewing or speaking due to a gap in your teeth? To replace missing teeth, there are two types of replacement procedures: an implant and a fixed bridge. Bridges or dental implants are used to fill in this space and help you to be more confident smiling as well as reduce discomfort when you are eating and drinking.
In a fixed bridge replacement procedure, an artificial tooth is used to replace the missing tooth. For bridges, the restoration can use alloys, gold, porcelain or combinations of those materials, and it is hooked to the teeth to close the gap for support. It is a great alternative because it looks great and it can even fill the space of several missing teeth.
Implants are installed by placing a titanium fixture directly in the jawbone and screwing in a fully-functional fake tooth into your gums. They can take some time to heal, however, implants are a great permanent solution for tooth loss that can give you confidence smiling, as well as eating any type of food. You can have no fear of biting into an apple or an ear of corn after dental implants!
The success of an implant or a bridge depends on the foundation of the teeth, the gums, and the jaw bone. It is important to keep your gums, teeth and a jaw bone healthy to help these procedures be successful!
What’s the best procedure for me?
The decision of which procedure to go for will be different for every patient, and cannot be made before visiting your dentist! The final decision is made after your dentist has examined your mouth and spoken to you about your desired outcomes, and any questions or concerns you have. Each of these procedures has different results, costs, recovery, and time associated with them. But before you go into your appointment, it’s great to know what options you have and help yourself become educated on the different procedures we have available! We are always more than happy to discuss each option in detail and advise you on what we would suggest for your individual treatment plan.
No one wants to feel uncomfortable smiling, especially with all of your upcoming spring and summer events! We love transforming our patients’ smiles and getting to see them become excited to show them off! Schedule your visit with us today to discuss your ideal results and how we can get you there! We look forward to speaking with you about your vision for your smile!
If you have cracked or dull teeth, you may suffer from low self-esteem. If this is the case, and you no longer want to be embarrassed by your teeth, a smile makeover may be a worthwhile consideration. A smile makeover begins with a dentist looking at your entire mouth, discussing your concerns, and choosing procedures that will improve your smile. Afterward, you will want to show off your pearly whites instead of hiding them.
What are the Benefits of a Smile Makeover?
A smile makeover will restore both function and aesthetics to your mouth. For example, if you have a misaligned bite, we can correct the problem so you can chew properly and smile without being self-conscious. Damaged or crooked teeth can also be repaired, and missing teeth can be permanently replaced. After a complete smile makeover, you will enjoy a beautiful smile, enhanced tooth structure, better jaw health, and improved self-confidence.
What Procedures are Involved in a Smile Makeover?
A smile makeover usually consists of numerous cosmetic procedures. For example, a patient may receive dental implants, veneers, Invisalign, or whitening treatments. Before forming a plan of action, a dentist will examine your gums, teeth color, and the overall condition of your mouth.
Color. If your teeth are stained, or you have amalgam fillings that bring a damaged look to your teeth, the color can be improved with white fillings or a whitening procedure. Thanks to today’s technology, it is possible to perfectly match the color of your existing teeth. A professional whitening treatment provides faster and better results than an OTC product or kit. In-office procedures include the application of high-dose hydrogen peroxide. When performed correctly, it is possible to whiten teeth a few shades after one visit. Also, veneers may be placed over teeth to improve their shape and color.
Alignment and Spaces. If your teeth are crooked, or your mouth has visible gaps, we can correct this as well. Invisalign is a set of clear molded braces that straighten teeth without the use of traditional metal brackets. Clear trays are custom fit and work to correct misalignments. It is possible to wear them without people noticing, and remove them for cleaning. Also, veneers may be applied to teeth that are chipped, leaning, or imperfect in other ways.
Missing Teeth. One of the most common ways that a smile makeover improves a person’s appearance is by replacing missing teeth. If you have spaces in your mouth, it may be impossible to eat or speak correctly. Dental implants are permanent solutions that look and function like real teeth. They are implanted into the jaw, which means that they are not removable like dentures. Dental crowns are placed over the implants to make them look just like your natural teeth. These may also be used as part of a bridge. Both bridges and crowns are cemented on top of existing teeth to repair them. Bridges are used to fill spaces where more than one tooth is missing. By filling in these gaps, your jaw and facial shape can be preserved. Crowns offer strength to damaged teeth as well.
Bone Reshaping. If you have lost one or more of your teeth, there will be a hole left behind in your jawbone. Your gums will eventually heal, but the bone will encounter various highs and lows. These can cause dentures or similar restorations to rub and cause soreness. In time, the bone will become lost. To smooth the bone, a reshaping surgery, or alveoplasty, may be necessary.
Targeting Teeth in a Smile Makeover
A smile makeover targets your teeth so that they look aesthetically pleasing. It is important to pay attention to the smile line. This goes along the upper teeth and should follow the curve of your lips during a smile. It is essential to adjust tooth length and proportion as well. When a person is young, his or her teeth are longer. With time, teeth begin to wear down and become shorter. Veneers can restore length. Also, it is possible to modify the gums. Gum tissue reshaping helps people who have uneven, obtrusive or receding gums.
Besides leaving a smile looking better, it also helps to prevent periodontal disease. When gums are receding, teeth are left exposed and pockets commonly develop. These pockets accumulate bacteria that can cause severe problems.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Smile Makeover?
Anyone looking to improve their oral and overall health may take advantage of a smile makeover. If you are unhappy with the look of your teeth, Dr. Imm, who specializes in cosmetic dentistry, can help. He can meet with you to do a thorough examination of your teeth and mouth and discuss exactly what results you are looking for in the smile makeover.
How to Maintain Results of a Smile Makeover
After undergoing a smile makeover, a patient must change his or her oral hygiene routine in order to maintain positive results. It is essential to brush with a non-abrasive toothpaste and to floss each day. Removing debris from between teeth will elongate the lifespan of any cosmetic procedure and keep tooth decay from starting.
If you receive composite fillings or crowns, it is best to avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol. This is known to have negative effects. Also, we will advise you to avoid foods that are packed with sugar and items that are known to cause staining (coffee, cigarettes, etc.).
Finally, please avoid biting or chewing hard objects (such as ice). Even though cosmetic restorations are sturdy, the best way to ensure a long life for your new smile is to act with care. Your dentist will be able to provide more advice when you meet so that you can easily maintain the results of your smile makeover.
Before you decide to pursue a smile makeover, it is vital to understand what can realistically be accomplished. At 5 Points Advanced Dentistry, we offer all patients previews of expected results. We use state-of-the-art imaging technology and various mock-ups so that it is possible to see all of the improvements that a smile makeover will bring. We provide customized plans for all of our patients so that individual needs are targeted. For more information, call our office today.
