Invisalign – Kent, WA
Beautify Your Smile without Metal Brackets or Wires
A beautiful and straight smile is a valuable trait to have. It can give you the confidence to tackle any social or professional situation, so you can work your way up the ladder. Unfortunately, most people aren’t born with perfectly aligned pearly whites. They have to wear metal braces that are uncomfortable and cumbersome for years before they can dawn a grin that they feel proud of. Fortunately, our doctors offer the more-discreet alternative to traditional braces - Invisalign in Kent, WA.
Why Choose Complete Dental Care for Invisalign Treatment?
- Experienced & Kind Dental Team
- We Accept Dental Insurance
- Customized, Discreet Orthodontic Treatment
How Does Invisalign Treatment Work?
Invisalign and traditional braces use the same concept to straighten teeth, they just use different materials and techniques. Unlike traditional braces that use metal brackets to hold arch wires in place, Invisalign is completely metal-free. Using clear, FDA-approved, smooth plastic aligners, Invisalign trays place a strategic amount of pressure on crooked and misaligned teeth to shift them into their ideal positions. Because each aligner in your treatment is custom-fitted, you won’t have to worry about them slipping in and out of your mouth.
Every four to six weeks throughout your treatment, you’ll visit our dental office for a short checkup. During this appointment, we’ll give you the next set of clear aligners in your treatment and make sure that you’re on the right track.
Indications for Invisalign
Dr. Hainer or Dr. Dhaliwal will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign after you visit us for a consultation. This orthodontic system can be used to correct a number of smile flaws including rotated (crooked) teeth, several minor bite problems, and even teeth that are irregularly spaced.
Crowded Teeth
Having misaligned teeth or ones that are too close together can increase your risk of developing oral health problems because they’re harder to clean. Invisalign works to shift these teeth so they line up properly, making it easier to brush and floss them.
Gaps Between Teeth
For some people, having gaps between their teeth can make their smile less attractive. These spaces in your mouth also provide nice hideouts for food particles and bacteria to get trapped in, putting you at a higher risk of chronic bad breath or dental decay. Invisalign aligners can shift these teeth so they’re evenly spaced.
Bite Alignment
Bite problems like overbite, underbite, and crossbite can put pressure on select areas of your jaw, causing you to develop bad habits like grinding and clenching your teeth. Not only does this wear down your enamel, but it also causes visible damage such as cracks and chips. Invisalign can correct several minor bite problems.
Benefits of Invisalign
One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign treatment that draws patients to choose it over traditional braces is that it’s significantly more discreet, allowing you to maintain your professional image. Some other benefits that you can enjoy from using Invisalign as your orthodontic treatment include:
- Easy maintenance.
- Improved oral health.
- Shorter treatment times.
- Custom-tailored oral appliances.
- Removable oral appliances.
- No need to alter your diet while undergoing treatment.
After you’ve worn your last set of Invisalign aligners, you will need to wear a retainer for some time. Dentists like to say that teeth have memory, meaning they tend to move back to their original positions. Wearing retainers helps keep them in proper alignment. If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, contact Complete Dental Care. We’ll be happy to let you know if Invisalign is right for you.
Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions
You might already be aware of the numerous advantages that Invisalign in Kent has over metal braces. But how do the day-to-day process and average treatment time compare to traditional orthodontics? We’ve provided the answers to these questions as well as a few others to give you a better idea of what to expect when undergoing Invisalign treatment. If you still have questions after reading this page, give us a call and we’ll be more than happy to help!
How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?
One of the many reasons people choose Invisalign over conventional braces is that its treatment time is much shorter on average. The process usually takes between 12 and 18 months, but this will depend on multiple factors, such as the original position of your teeth and your dedication to wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours a day.
What Can I Expect After Invisalign Treatment is Over?
Once you’re finished wearing your last aligner, that doesn’t necessarily mean your treatment is complete. It takes a long time for your teeth to remember their new position. To prevent them from shifting back to the way they were before, we’ll most likely have to prescribe you a retainer. You’ll be expected to wear it as often as you did your aligners, for a few weeks or months. This amount of time varies for each patient. After that, you might be able to switch to only wearing it to bed.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Without examining your individual mouth, it’s nearly impossible to estimate the price of Invisalign. There are many factors that can influence the cost of your treatment, including your age, how committed you are to wearing your aligners, the degree to which your teeth are misaligned, your overall oral health, and whether you’ll need any aligners repaired or replaced. If you need help paying for your treatment, we’re happy to help you apply for CareCredit, which breaks up your payment into monthly installments that can fit into virtually any budget.
How Do I Take Care of My Aligners?
Although your aligners start off clear, they won’t stay that way if you don’t take proper care of them. Once a day, use a toothbrush, clear hand soap, and room temperature water to scrub your trays clean. Using hot water can alter the shape of the plastic, making your treatment ultimately take longer. Also, make sure to brush and floss after eating and before placing your aligners back in your mouth. Failure to do so could trap food particles and bacteria against your teeth, contributing to dental infections.