Invisalign Clear Aligners – Mississauga, ON
Helping You Straighten Your Crooked Teeth
Does someone in your family have a crooked smile? Misaligned teeth affect more than just appearances; they might also lead to issues with chewing and speaking, and they could lead to gum disease since it’s harder to clean between them. Dr. Patel may be able to help you achieve a straighter grin with an Invisalign treatment. Call us if you would like more details about how Invisalign in Meadowvale works and what might make it a good fit for you or your loved ones.
Why Choose Meadowvale Family Dentistry for Invisalign Clear Aligners?
- Personalized Treatment Plans
- Saturday Appointments Available
- Family-Focused Dentistry
How Invisalign Works
When your teeth are out of position, Invisalign can help move them to where they should be. This is thanks to the aligners that you’ll be told to wear for a minimum of 20 to 22 hours daily. There are many aligners involved with the Invisalign process; after wearing the first set for about two weeks, you’ll switch to the next one. Our team will make sure your teeth are moving as expected during routine progress checks, which will take place every six weeks or so.
The Benefits of Invisalign
When patients are in the process of deciding which orthodontic treatment is best for them, they often focus on how discreet Invisalign is. In reality, that’s just one of the many benefits of this orthodontic treatment! If you want to learn more reasons millions and millions of people around the world have chosen clear aligners, then keep reading.
Shorter Average Treatment Timeline
Invisalign can be used to correct several common orthodontic problems, including underbites, crowded teeth, and small gaps. Not only that, but the clear aligners can address issues like these in just 12-18 months! This is a significant improvement since traditional braces often take two or three years. So, if you want your dream smile sooner rather than later, Invisalign is definitely worth considering.
Discreet Aligners
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning how discreet the aligners are. Since they are custom-made to fit you perfectly and are crafted from low-profile, see-through plastic, they are virtually invisible. In fact, people meeting you for the first time may not even realize that you’re currently in the middle of an Invisalign treatment – it’s that discreet!
You Can Eat Whatever You’d Like
Traditional braces are certainly effective, but one of the reasons patients are a bit hesitant to commit to this orthodontic treatment is because there are dietary restrictions. Essentially, patients need to steer clear of all crunchy, hard, and sticky foods, including whole apples. With Invisalign, the aligners won’t stop you from eating whatever you want since you’ll be able to remove them when necessary.
Hassle-Free Oral Hygiene
Easy oral hygiene might not seem like much of a perk at first. However, when you consider the time and products needed to brush and floss with traditional braces, you will quickly see why this is so important. Since Invisalign aligners are removable, your dental care routine doesn’t need to change (outside of brushing your teeth after lunch, if you weren’t doing so already).
Fewer Check-in Visits
Typically, patients with traditional braces need to come in for adjustment appointments every month. Conversely, Invisalign check-in visits are every six or eight weeks. That’s because you’ll be able to progress through a series of trays at home. You’ll only come in so we can make sure your teeth are moving, answer any questions you have, and provide you with your next set of aligners.
Metal-Free Trays
Metal-free trays certainly win in the aesthetics department, but that’s not the only perk. The lack of brackets and wires also makes Invisalign considerably more comfortable. In fact, soft tissue irritation is pretty rare since the aligners are custom-made to fit the unique contours of a patient’s mouth. So, any (temporary) soreness you feel will be from the movement of your teeth, which is good news!
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Living with Invisalign doesn’t require extensive lifestyle changes. Many patients who choose this method of orthodontic treatment do so because of how easy it is to wear and maintain clear aligners. If you have yet to decide whether to move forward with Invisalign, this section can help explain what you can expect should you choose to straighten your teeth with a more subtle solution.
Wearing Your Trays
Clear aligners do not bond to your teeth like traditional brackets and wires. Instead, they easily slip on and off, allowing you to remove them when it’s time to clean them. While wearing Invisalign, you must adhere to the 20-22-hour rule, as this ensures your teeth will continue to shift accordingly. Wearing them as instructed will help you avoid treatment delays by continuing to provide the necessary amount of pressure your teeth need to shift into alignment.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Invisalign Cleaning Crystals are available when receiving your aligners. You can use these to soak your aligners and provide them with the thorough cleaning they need. You may also choose to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, clear soap, and cool or lukewarm water to remove dried saliva, bacteria, and any stains.
Eating & Drinking
Invisalign in Mississauga allows you to eat all types of food, but you will need to remove your trays first before enjoying your favorite meals. You will also need to rinse them off and give them a thorough cleaning before reinserting them. This will prevent food and other particles from accumulating over time.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Each time you remove one or both of your aligners, make sure to keep them in a protective case. Placing them in a napkin or setting them down next to your plate can lead to them being accidentally thrown away. Instead, keep them in a protective case, as this will lower the risk of loss and potential damage. You should also keep them out of reach of small children and pets if you want to avoid requesting a new set of aligners from our office. If you should lose or damage your Invisalign, be sure to call our team and let us know so that we can provide the next best steps.
Routine Check-Ins
Throughout your Invisalign treatment, you will be required to maintain regular check-in visits with us. Our team will evaluate your progress and make sure no adjustments are required. These appointments should take no longer than half an hour, as there are no wires to tighten, adjust, or replace.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Not only are clear aligners incredibly effective, but they can also correct numerous orthodontic problems with the help of attachments, rubber bands, and the like. In other words, if you want to straighten your teeth without the metal, there’s a good chance that you’re a candidate for Invisalign! Until your consultation with us, you can read on to learn more on the topic.
Crowded Teeth
Overcrowding is extremely common. It’s also more than an aesthetic issue. That’s because the unique crevices that are created when your teeth overlap are difficult to clean, which increases your risk of oral health problems like cavities and gum disease. The good news is that – if your case isn’t too severe – we can create a custom series of clear aligners to guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions gently and discreetly.
Gaps Between Teeth
Noticeable gaps often make teen and adult patients feel self-conscious. Plus, like crooked teeth, gapped teeth can negatively impact your oral health. In that way, Invisalign can positively impact both your oral health and self-esteem! This is done with custom-made aligners, which you will wear for 1-2 weeks at a time. Once you’ve worn every tray in the series, you’ll have the healthy, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.
Overbite
If your upper teeth jut out far beyond your lower teeth, then you might have an overbite. There are a few problems with this bite issue outside of aesthetics, including that it can make it difficult to enunciate clearly. Fortunately, Invisalign has proven to be effective at addressing mild to moderate cases. Sometimes, this requires the use of other orthodontic accessories, like attachments, but they are just as discreet as the aligners, so they won’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile.
Underbite
An underbite is when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. Since this bite problem places the jaw in an unnatural position, patients often experience chronic jaw pain as well as difficulty chewing and enunciating clearly. That’s why it’s important to schedule a consultation – even if you aren’t having any trouble yet. From there, we can explore your treatment options, including Invisalign, to determine the best way to proceed.
Crossbite
A crossbite is when some of your bottom teeth sit in front of your top teeth and vice versa. Like the other bite problems on this list, there are several concerns, including premature wear and tear on your teeth, chronic jaw pain, and TMJ dysfunction. So, whether you have a mild or more severe case, don’t hesitate to reach out to us so we can schedule your appointment and determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign.
Open Bite
When you bite down, your teeth should come together evenly. If they don’t, then you may have an open bite. This orthodontic problem can develop for several reasons, including genetics, and it’s important to address it before complications arise, like premature wear and tear.
Invisalign FAQs
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
The average treatment timeline with Invisalign in Mississauga is only 12-18 months, which is considerably shorter than traditional braces. However, the length of your teeth-straightening journey may fall outside of that time frame. For instance, if you want to fix a small gap between your two front teeth, then it may only take 4-8 months to achieve the desired results. Conversely, if your case of misalignment is more severe, then it may take closer to 24 months.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Once you’ve progressed through your series of aligners, you’ll come to our office so we can make sure that you’re happy with your results. If you are, then we will take impressions of your teeth so a custom retainer can be made. Usually, it takes a few weeks for it to arrive at our office, so you’ll need to wear your current set of aligners in the meantime.
At your “final” appointment, we will make sure your retainer fits comfortably. Then, we will show you how to clean it so it lasts for at least a year or two. Finally, we will share how often you need to wear it in order to prevent orthodontic relapse, which is usually nightly.
Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat with Invisalign?
As long as you remove your aligners beforehand, you’re free to eat all of your favorite foods throughout your orthodontic treatment. With that said, it is important not to overindulge on chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, and other sugary treats since the development of a cavity can lead to considerable treatment plan delays. Instead, focus on filling your plate with seasonal fruits, fresh vegetables, healthy fats, and lean protein. Not only will this reduce your risk of common oral health problems, but it will also help keep you full between meals.
How Often Do I Need to Wear My Aligners?
You need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours each day. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re meeting the mark, then try using the stopwatch on your phone! It’s also helpful to only take them off when it’s absolutely necessary, like before completing your oral hygiene regimen, and to multitask where you can. For example, instead of slowly sipping on your coffee throughout the morning, drink it alongside your breakfast.
What Should I Do If I Accidentally Lose One of My Aligners?
If you accidentally misplace your aligners, then try retracing your steps, starting from the last place that you remember seeing them. In the process, look in the waste bin in your kitchen, the pockets of the pants you were wearing earlier, and other not-so-obvious places. If you’ve checked everywhere you can think of, but your trays are nowhere to be found, then call our team at Meadowvale Family Dentistry. That way, we can determine if it’s safe for you to progress to the next set a little early or if it’s better for you to revert to the previous pair while a replacement is being made.