The Era of the “Metalmouth”
Traditional, old-school braces were unattractive, but they were the only option for correcting crooked teeth or bite problems in Waco. Years ago, many a teenager was teased about his or her “metalmouth.” Adults needing orthodontic care often avoided it altogether because metal braces significantly altered appearance and made patients self-conscious during treatment.
How Invisalign Teeth Straightening is Different
Instead of metal braces being applied to the teeth, with sharp parts that irritate sensitive soft tissues, Invisalign treatment involves a custom set of smooth, BPA-free, plastic “aligners.”
The uncomfortable process of tightening metal braces is irrelevant with Invisalign, as well. The Invisalign patient simply begins wearing a new aligner about every two weeks, and each aligner gradually moves teeth toward the desired position.
Invisalign aligners are often called invisible braces because they’re inconspicuous and don’t alter a person’s appearance.
Caring for the teeth is simple – the patient simply removes the aligner and brushes and flosses as usual. With traditional braces, dental hygiene is more difficult and time consuming, because the patient must brush and floss around brackets and wires.
Maybe best of all, if the Invisalign patient has a special event coming up, he or she can temporarily remove the aligner. Optimal results occur for patients who wear their aligner 22 hours per day or more.
How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?
Treatment time can vary based on the individual case, but is shorter than the two years required with most traditional orthodontic treatment plans. Generally, however, treatment lasts about a year for most adults and many teens. The patient can then happily reveal his or her beautiful new smile to the world.
To learn more about Invisalign, schedule a consultation with Waco cosmetic dentist Dr. Corbet Locke by calling our Waco dental office at (254) 776-4888. We welcome patients from Waco, Woodway, McGregor, Hewitt, and surrounding communities.