Our Invisalign treatments are ideal for adolescents and adults who want to straighten their teeth conveniently and affordably.
Mathews is a small Virginia town that’s big on charm. Whether you enjoy relaxing on pristine beaches or taking strolls on wildlife trails, you won’t be bored here. You can also bike or walk along the peaceful roads or stop by a local restaurant or shop.
Smiles of Mathews can be another friendly stop on your regular travels around town. Our Invisalign treatments are ideal for adolescents and adults who want to straighten their teeth conveniently and affordably.
You might be aware that Invisalign is a brand name for what we call clear aligners that help straighten teeth. That's the overall picture. They have come a long way since their inception, and we can do quite a lot of things that we weren't able to do 20 years ago. However, there's still a place for traditional braces that I refer for. I don't do braces personally; I do Invisalign when we have lots of crowding or we're trying to do big movements. But Invisalign nine times out of 10 takes care of what we want to do as far as straightening, getting rid of gaps, opening up, getting rid of crowding, helping with bite, things like that. It improves your smile and makes it easier to clean and floss, which reduces disease, which is what we're all about.
What is the process involved with an Invisalign treatment?
The process here is I would do a digital scan with the scanner behind me and then take some photos. All that information is compiled and sent to Invisalign. Invisalign and I then work together to develop a specific treatment plan depending on our desired outcomes, yours and mine. They develop a set of trays, and you will get a series of sets of trays, anywhere between five to 50.
Everybody's different, depending on how severe the issue is and what we're trying to correct. You'll then get those trays and wear them for 10 days to two weeks each until you're done, and there you go. Sometimes at the end, we have to do some modifications, so you get new trays and a new scan, but we work towards getting you what you want. Unfortunately, we can't guarantee anything because everybody's different. Every body is different. Sometimes a tooth or two won't move because they're what's called ankylosed, or frozen, or fused to the bone. That can happen. Sometimes we just don't know until we start trying to adjust things.
Do I sleep with Invisalign in?
Invisalign trays need to be left in for at least 22 hours a day. This leaves you two hours in total to take them out to eat. You can drink with them in, but we usually recommend avoiding things like coffee, red wine, or tea—things that can stain. It doesn't hurt the trays or your teeth to have a stain; it's just that most people don't like the look. You take them out to eat, and when you're done, you do have to brush and floss to make sure there's no food debris when you put the trays back in.
Is it uncomfortable to wear Invisalign?
The discomfort that is felt is usually at the beginning of a new set of trays. It's applying a force to certain teeth that we're trying to move at that time, and it can cause some discomfort or soreness. Advil, Aleve, aspirin, or Tylenol usually takes care of that. It's only for a day, maybe three days, that you'll really notice it.
Is there anything that could disqualify me from using Invisalign?
There are a few things that might disqualify or at least severely limit the ability to use Invisalign, and that would be left up to your treating dentist and/or orthodontist.
Are You a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign aligners are designed to be removed when you eat, drink and brush your teeth. Although you can remove them at will, you should wear them as often as possible to produce the best results. The best candidates for Invisalign have the discipline to wear the aligners around the clock and keep track of them when they are removed.
For this reason, Invisalign is an excellent option for adults. They’re also a useful method for adolescent orthodontia if the child can remember to replace the aligners after eating. This is no different than asking an adolescent to keep track of a retainer.
This is also an ideal option for people who need minor orthodontic changes. If you require significant alignment or have dental work that could interfere with the aligners, traditional braces might be the best option.
Dr. Marks Explains How Straight Teeth Impact Health
Why I like straight teeth as a dentist is because they’re easier to clean, which does what? Reduces your risk for cavities and gum disease. You have better chewing function, you have better skeletal structure or lip support, cheek support. If you have a narrow face, it’s probably because your teeth are narrow or your arch, because sometimes the arch can look like that or fanned out or, you know, like that. So yeah. It’s not just about looks. Looks are secondary for me. I’m concerned about your health and that’s healthy.
Adolescent and Adult Orthodontics
Whether or not you had braces in your younger years, your teeth shift as you age. Missing teeth and other dental problems can contribute to the misalignment.
But many adults don’t want to deal with the uncomfortable, obvious traditional braces. Fortunately, there’s a solution.
Invisalign is a teeth-straightening method that gently aligns your teeth over time. It requires no braces, wires or cement. Instead, temporary aligners are created to fit over your existing teeth. These are clear, streamlined and comfortable. No one will know that you’re wearing them.
You’ll get a new set of aligners every few weeks to guide your teeth toward their optimal position. Most adults complete their treatment within six months to one year.
How to Get Started
The best way to get started is to schedule a consultation with our doctors. We will discuss your goals, evaluate your dental health and go over all of your options for straightening your teeth. In some cases, we may have to perform additional dental work to get your teeth ready for Invisalign.
If you decide to move forward, we will send scans and impressions of your mouth to Invisalign. You’ll return to the office to ensure that the aligners fit. We will also schedule regular follow-up appointments to gauge your progress and give you new aligners as your teeth shift into place. We will work with you every step of the way so that you get the best results from your orthodontia.
Contact Us For a Consultation
At Smiles of Mathews, we offer complimentary consultations with a free smile design. We want to offer honest advice about how to optimize your oral health without pressure. We know that most people in Mathews would prefer to go to the beach or eat at one of our fabulous restaurants than visit the dentist. That’s why we aim to provide the most conservative treatments possible to remedy your dental issues and focus on your oral health.
We use advanced methods and state-of-the-art tools to maximize your comfort. A visit to Smiles of Mathews should be enjoyable, relaxing and productive. Hopefully, you’ll smile the entire time you’re with us and keep smiling long after you’re gone. Contact us to schedule your consultation today.