Straight, evenly spaced teeth are the hallmark of a beautiful smile, and for most people, achieving that goal means having orthodontic treatment to correct alignment issues. Today, lots of people are turning to Invisalign® to straighten their teeth and improve their smiles. In fact, to date, more than 10 million people have been treated with Invisalign aligners.
Aramesh Darvishian, DDS, and the team at Perfect Smiles of Reston use the Invisalign system to help preteens, teens, and adults correct alignment problems and “lock in” a lifetime of beautiful smiles. If you’re not sure if Invisalign can help your smile look its best, here’s what you need to know about this state-of-the-art treatment.
How Invisalign works
Invisalign straightens teeth in a similar manner as traditional braces — by gently repositioning them into their proper alignment over time. But the way the Invisalign system works is a lot different.
While braces use wires and brackets to shift teeth, Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners — devices that look kind of like tooth-whitening trays. Each aligner is carefully contoured to your teeth, so it’s very comfortable to wear.
Aligners are changed frequently during treatment — about once every two weeks. Each aligner has a slightly different shape, and it’s these differences that move your teeth into their new positions.
In addition to being almost invisible in your mouth, Invisalign aligners are removed for eating, brushing, and flossing, making them a more convenient option than traditional braces. Plus, treatment is often faster, and the smooth aligners make treatment more comfortable, too.
Correcting smile flaws
The design and functionality of the Invisalign system has evolved a lot over the years, and today, Invisalign can be used to treat most of the same conditions as traditional braces. In fact, Invisialign can be a great options for patients who have:
- Overbites (protruding teeth)
- Underbites (upper teeth fall behind lower teeth when biting)
- Crossbites (some of the upper teeth fall behind the lower teeth)
- Gaps or uneven spacing between teeth
- Overcrowding
- Open bites
- Overjets (teeth that protrude at an angle)
As with traditional braces, every Invisalign treatment is customized from start to finish, based on each patient’s alignment needs, jaw structure, and other factors.
Dr. Darvishian carefully examines every patient’s teeth, jaws, and bite pattern to make sure Invisalign is the best choice for helping them achieve their orthodontic goals. Some patients with more complex issues may be better suited for traditional metal or ceramic braces.
Find out if Invisalign is right for you
Orthodontic treatment helps your smile look great, but it’s also important for your oral health. Straight, aligned teeth are easier to clean, and that means fewer cavities. Plus, an aligned bite reduces jaw strain and uneven tooth wear that can lead to chronic pain, tooth breakage, and other problems.
Invisalign is a great option for plenty of patients, but it’s not always the best choice. To find out if Invisalign’s clear aligners can correct your smile flaws, call 703-436-9461 or book an appointment online with Dr. Darvishian at her Reston, Virginia, practice today.