Invisalign
Lynnwood, WA
 Invisalign is an advanced orthodontic method employed by dental professionals to rectify misaligned teeth, aiming chiefly at enhancing your smile. The term Invisalign originates from the concept of invisible aligners, marking a significant advancement in treatments for various dental issues. Opting for Invisalign guarantees the discreet realignment of your teeth to their proper positions. At Cooley Smiles, we specialize in customizing Invisalign aligners that fit your teeth perfectly, ensuring they remain virtually undetectable.
Types of Invisalign
Invisalign uses clear alignment trays that gently push teeth into the correct position over time. Each type is designed to meet the specific needs of each patient.
Invisalign Express
This type of Invisalign acquired its name from the time it needed to have your teeth aligned. Invisalign Express is a six-month treatment program that uses ten sets of aligners, and you are home with a straighter smile.
Invisalign i7
Invisalign i7 also derives its name from the number of sets you need to fix mild alignment issues. With Invisalign i7, you only need seven aligner trays, and you are well on your way to improving your smile within the shortest time possible.
Invisalign Lite
Invisalign Lite is an invisible aligner used to make robust changes that Invisalign Express cannot handle. Instead of ten aligners, you get 14 aligners that you have to wear for six or more months.
Invisalign Full
Invisalign Full refers to the type of clear aligners our dentist will use to solve moderate to severe teeth alignment issues. You are required to wear this type of aligner for a year or a year and a half.
Benefits of Invisalign
Greater Comfort
Invisalign is more comfortable, especially compared to traditional braces. It is removable, and you only need to wear it for a specific number of hours in a day. Invisalign is also a comfortable option because it is custom-made for your teeth. Finally, it has smooth edges as it is constructed from high-quality resin. You will not have jagged metal digging into your mouth like conventional braces.
Better Dental Hygiene
Invisalign are removable aligners; they do not prevent you from maintaining your oral hygiene routine. Traditional braces can be complicated to brush and floss, which can lead to tooth decay.
Fixes Your Dental Problems
Crooked teeth are responsible for more problems than just making you afraid of smiling in public. Invisalign fixes crooked teeth, prevents gum disease, improves your bite, and prevents irregular tooth erosion.
Fewer Visits to the Dentist
By choosing Invisalign over traditional braces, you are choosing fewer visits to the dentist. Traditional braces are problematic, and you need to frequently have them adjusted back into position, change the wire position, wire specific brackets with extra wire, tighten some wires, and replace an entire bracket.
With Invisalign, your visit to our practice will be much shorter and less intrusive. You only need to see our dentist every two weeks to switch to a new set of aligners, which are pre-planned and created.
Enjoy Food and Drinks
Certain foods cannot be enjoyed with traditional braces. For example, you risk snapping or bending your metal brackets when you eat apples, caramel, popcorn, corn on the cob, or chewing gum. However, you can enjoy these foods and more with your invisible aligners because all you need to do is remove them, eat, brush your teeth, and reinsert them.
Shorter Treatment Period
Traditional braces can take up to two years or more before your teeth are perfectly aligned. With Invisalign treatment, it takes just about a year or less to get your perfect smile. It is likely that during that one year, people will be unaware that you are wearing the aligners because they are practically invisible.
When Is Invisalign Needed?
You need Invisalign treatment when you have crooked teeth. You are also a perfect candidate for Invisalign when you have overbites, underbites, open bites, crossbites, overcrowded teeth, or gaps in your teeth. Our dentist can also recommend Invisalign as an alternative to traditional braces as a treatment for your dental issues.
Invisalign Procedure
Initial Consultation and Prequalification
The first stage in the Invisalign treatment process involves our dentist assessing your oral health to ascertain that Invisalign is the treatment you need. Some teeth might need to be removed before any orthodontic work. The consultation and pre-qualification can involve taking X-rays or a 3D scan of your mouth.
Treatment Planning
Once it is certain you need Invisalign, the next stage is to plan for your treatment. Our dentist will plan your entire treatment using computer calculations, which is an indication that Invisalign is innovative. The 3D scans are fed into the Invisalign computer program to work on the correct alignment for your teeth. The computer program will then calculate all the steps it will take until the final stage. The 3D predictions may not be perfect, and things can change over time.
Preparation Stage
If there are any problems in some areas of your mouth, it is time to treat them. The treatment might involve using dental fillings, root canals, and tooth extraction. The time it takes to complete this stage depends on the extent of the issue to be fixed. Once everything is good to go, you are ready to receive your first trays.
Caring for Your Invisalign Aligners
We recommend wearing your trays for at least 20 to 22 hours each day to achieve the expressed movement needed to realign your teeth. You should only remove them before flossing, eating, brushing, and drinking any liquids other than water.
Clean your trays, either in the morning or at night, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean water. You can also clean your trays when they are still on your teeth and then remove them to clean the insides.
Do not use a dishwasher to clean your Invisalign aligners because it can potentially damage them and the cases used to store them. The high heat of the dishwasher can easily deform the plastic and render your trays unsuitable for teeth alignment. Harsh chemicals, such as bleach and mouthwash, can damage the surface of your aligners, making them more visible.
Enhance Your Smile With Invisalign Aligners
Invisalign can solve a myriad of concerns, from functional, aesthetic, and health problems. Visit our orthodontics office at Cooley Smiles to discuss your Invisalign treatment. To schedule an appointment with us, contact us at (425) 569-4545.
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