It’s never too late to get a straighter smile. While Morgan Family Dental offers early orthodontic treatment for children as young as seven years old, we also straighten older smiles, too. With advanced orthodontic treatment options such as Invisalign, it provides older teens and adults with an alternative way to fix common malocclusions (“bad bites”) using only clear, transparent materials.
Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a system of clear, custom-made aligners that look similar to mouthguards. These aligners fit over the teeth and provide the exact amount of pressure needed to gradually shift teeth into the ideal position. In order to get these aligners our family dentist will need to map out your treatment plan from start to finish using special computer technology.
Digital images are taken of your teeth and the images are then uploaded onto the computer where we map out every tooth movement that will need to happen in order to achieve a perfectly straight smile. This information is then sent out to an Invisalign lab where they will create your special set of aligners.
Invisalign Treatment: What to Expect
Once your aligners have been created you’ll come back into our office where one of our dentists will fit you with the first set in the series. These aligners are removable; however, as tempting as it is to remove your aligners regularly, you’ll want to wear them for at least 20-22 hours each day in order to see results. Of course, aligners can be removed prior to drinking, eating, brushing and flossing, which make them easy to clean and care for. You also don’t have any dietary restrictions during the Invisalign treatment process.
Length of treatment will depend on the type and severity of the issues you are dealing with. Those with minor misalignments may see results in as little as 4-6 months; however, the average length of treatment for an adult is about one year. Length of treatment for teens is around 18-24 months, which is comparable with traditional braces. During your consultation, our dentists will be happy to talk you through the process and give you an estimated length of treatment.
Do you want to find out if you or your teen is an ideal candidate for Invisalign? Call Morgan Family Dental in Prior Lake, MN, at (952) 447-4611 today to schedule a free consultation.