Tired of living with crowded or misaligned teeth? Thanks to Invisalign in Long Beach, you can straighten your smile without the hassle of metal brackets and wires. Instead, Invisalign treatment uses smooth plastic aligners to gradually reposition teeth. It may sound futuristic, but over 11 million people have already used Invisalign clear aligners to transform their smiles. Keep reading to discover the step-by-step process of getting Invisalign.
Step One: Consultation
The first step in the Invisalign treatment process is to consult with your dentist to determine if you are a good candidate. While Invisalign can correct many orthodontic problems, severe misalignment may require traditional metal braces. During your consultation, your dentist will carefully examine your teeth and discuss your personal smile goals.
Step Two: Impressions
If you can benefit from Invisalign treatment, the next step is to take impressions of your teeth. While some practices still use gooey impression material to take a mold of teeth, many dentists today use advanced technology instead. For example, the iTero Scanner is a handheld wand that a dentist waves over a patient’s mouth to create a full virtual model of their teeth and gums. This model is used to plan Invisalign treatment and is sent to the dental lab where the custom aligners are crafted.
Step Three: Getting Your Clear Aligners
You can expect to wait a couple of weeks for your clear aligners to be delivered to your dentist’s office. Once they arrive, you will return for your first placement appointment. During this visit, your dentist will make sure your aligners fit properly. They will also give you advice on how to put your aligners in and take them out, as well as how to care for them. Each pair of aligners is worn for one to two weeks, for a minimum of 20 hours per day.
Step Four: Follow-Up Appointments
Throughout the Invisalign process, you will need to check in with your dentist in Long Beach periodically. Follow-up appointments allow your dentist to track your progress and make sure everything is going smoothly. If no adjustments are necessary, your dentist will send you home with your next set of aligners.
Step Five: Final Refinement
Once you’re done with all your initial trays, you may need a refinement. This involves taking a new 3-D scan of your teeth to create a few final sets of aligners. These refinement aligners will ensure your teeth move into the correct final position.
Step Six: Retainers
Once your teeth are finally aligned properly, you can stop wearing Invisalign aligners around the clock. However, to ensure your smile doesn’t shift back to its previous misalignment, your dentist will give you clear retainers. Initially, you may need to wear your retainers at all times, but over time you will slowly transition to only wearing them at night.
In just six easy steps, you can achieve the straight smile of your dreams! Invisalign in Long Beach can typically be completed in 12 to 18 months, which is significantly faster than traditional orthodontics.
About the Author
Dr. Anish Gala has over a decade of experience straightening smiles with Invisalign clear braces. He earned his certificate in orthodontics from the prestigious Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn and is an active member of the American Academy of Orthodontists. To learn more about the Invisalign treatment process, visit Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth website or call 516-517-0331.