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Invisalign® in San Francisco, CA One aspect of cosmetic dentistry that adults and teenagers both fear is the idea of braces, especially the traditional metal ones. The gluing of brackets onto the teeth can be very negative on both a person’s self-esteem and confidence, to the extent that they would rather refuse the treatment, than have it.Invisalign clear aligners allow the teeth to be realigned, into a perfectly straight smile, without the use of traditional metal braces, brackets, and wires. An Invisalign is a see-through, almost invisible, plastic retainer that sits in the mouth comfortably. It is a great alternative to traditional braces. Here at San Francisco Dental Arts we are excited to be able to give our patients the confidence they need through Invisalign clear aligner trays. Can I Get Invisalign?The first step in receiving your Invisalign clear aligners is your initial consultation. A consultation with our dentistsat San Francisco Dental Arts will help determine your eligibility for Invisalign. During this meeting, you will need to discuss your goals for your smile with us. Next, our dentist will use a digital scanning system to create a precise model of your teeth. Now, we will be able to map out your individual treatment plan. This will include the exact movement of your teeth and how long your Invisalign treatment will take. What is Invisalign?Invisalign is a well-known, advertised, and popular form of cosmetic dentistry. Invisalign can be used to treat misaligned teeth of any kind including teeth with spacing issues, underbites, or overbites. If you are seeking a virtually invisible treatment for straightening your teeth, Invisalign can help you by using a set of clear aligners. Traditional braces are attached to metal and wires to straighten your teeth. This form of treatment is not attractive because it is very visible, unable to be removed, and hard to maintain. Invisalign offers clear alignment with trays that are made of thermoplastic materials that are smooth on your mouth and also fully removable. Procedure For InvisalignWhen you come in to see one of our dentists, they may recommend the use of braces in order to straighten your misaligned teeth. There are many benefits, beyond the cosmetic reasons, to have your teeth realigned. Invisalign can be used to straighten the teeth. One of our dentists will take 3D scans of your teeth and bite, in order to assess your individual case. The average time it takes your teeth to realign using the Invisalign system is 12-18 months, but each individual case varies in how long treatment will take. During your appointment, we can show you exactly how your teeth should look once your treatment is finished, and the stages required to get there. The dentist will then give you your first set of retainers. You will be given between 12 to 48 retainers throughout your realignment plan. You will wear each set for two weeks. Each set of aligners will gradually shift your teeth. The dentist will give you three to four Invisalign sets at a time, and you will come back for regular appointments every six weeks. Invisalign clear aligners are not worn while eating, however, they can be worn while drinking water. They must be worn for a minimum of 20-22 hours a day. To clean your aligners, simply use a toothbrush with a small amount of your normal toothpaste. Invisalign retainers are generally more expensive than other teeth alignment methods, although the cost varies between each individual case. You can talk over payment plans with our dentists, as plans can be quite flexible. The Benefits of InvisalignThe main benefits of Invisalign are in its clear, see-through mold, that allows the retainer to go undetected while simultaneously improving and straightening your smile. Its other main benefit is the ease of wearing the retainer. It is easily removable, which is ideal for eating, as well as cleaning. The retainer will likely take some getting used to, but not to the same extent as traditional metal braces or retainers. In addition to the ease and look of the retainer, patients can reap the benefits of braces without the use of wires and brackets. These benefits include the reduced risk of grinding or chipping teeth, or any damage that could have been caused by teeth protruding at awkward angles. Patients have found it easier to chew food, as well as ease with talking and cleaning their teeth, since the Invisalign aligners can be removed during meals and while brushing. Invisalign is the Best Treatment OptionNot only is Invisalign the most aesthetically pleasing treatment for misaligned teeth, but Invisalign also offers the fastest treatment for crooked teeth. Invisalign is also the most comfortable treatment for misaligned teeth because the aligners are both smooth and removable. This means you can enjoy all of the same functions that your teeth provide you with normally. Invisalign also offers the most convenient treatment for straightening your teeth because visits to our dental office are only necessary every six weeks, much less often than with traditional braces. Using biweekly aligner changes that help you achieve your desired outcome, you can achieve your new smile faster than ever. It is important to note that adults will need to wait a bit longer than two weeks between aligner changes and adolescence is the best time for orthodontic practices. With an Invisalign treatment plan, you will have your desired smile in up to just six months. When your Invisalign treatment is complete it is important to maintain your progress by wearing a retainer. You will need to wear your retainer every night for the first year after treatment. Following that, you will need to wear your retainer three to five nights a week in order to maintain your newly aligned smile. If you have misaligned teeth, and want to boost your confidence with a great smile, San Francisco Dental Arts offers Invisalign clear aligners for people looking to enjoy the benefits of braces, without anyone knowing you are undergoing orthodontic treatment or ever had them. Call us today at 415-854-9396 to talk to our experienced dental professional. For your convenience, we have also collected some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Invisalign. |
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