Everything You Need to Know About Straightening Your Teeth with Invisalign® at Brighton Park Dental
Brighton Park Dental provides truly complete dentistry services for our neighbors and their families in southwest Chicago, Illinois, and the surrounding suburbs. We set ourselves apart with extensive orthodontic treatments, ranging from “traditional” braces to Invisalign® clear aligners. Invisalign® is also considered a cosmetic solution because the aligners that do the straightening are made from clear plastic designed to blend in with your teeth. But the benefits do not stop there.
How can you straighten my teeth without braces?
Invisalign® aligners are custom-fit to your mouth. Simply slide them over your teeth. When worn as directed by one of our dentists, Drs. Aroon Pal, Nilay Patel, and Taylor Jemilo, each aligner, place force on the teeth to gently and gradually reposition them. No metal. No wires. No brackets. No elastics.
How often do I need to wear my aligners?
Once you insert the aligners into your mouth, they should only be taken out before eating, flossing, and brushing. You will also need to clean the aligners to prevent bacteria and plaque from building up, which can threaten the health of your mouth. Since Invisalign® is a removable solution, cleaning your teeth and the aligner is a breeze! Because of this feature, you can continue to enjoy your favorite sticky, hard, or crunchy foods throughout treatment.
How many aligners will I wear during treatment?
The total number of aligners depends on your needs. You will generally wear each set for around one week and up to two weeks (as instructed by your dentist). It is important to wear each set in the right sequence. While all of the aligner trays look similar, they each differ slightly. Every aligner is made for a different phase of treatment. To help with this, the aligners are labeled by number and also with either a “U” (for “Upper”) or “L” (for “Lower”).
When will treatment be done?
Again, this varies from person to person and depends on the total number of aligners required for treatment. Mild cosmetic cases typically require more aligners and longer duration than patients who need to correct overbites, underbites, or other bite issues. The average treatment time takes nine to 12 months; however, some patients have completed treatment in six months.
Do I need to wear a retainer?
It’s largely advised for anyone who has undergone orthodontic treatment to wear a retainer to prevent relapse, a process that can occur when teeth move back to their pre-treatment positions. Invisalign® makes a special type of Vivera™ retainer from the same advanced plastic material as its aligners. These retainers are known for their durability. We will discuss what is best for your situation following treatment.
How can I get started?
Schedule your Invisalign® consultation today. Call Brighton Park Dental at (773) 801-5171. During your consultation at our Chicago, IL office, we can show you what your smile will look like following treatment due to the use of state-of-the-art simulation/visualization software and technologies. And, if you are worried about paying for your treatment, we are happy to discuss options to make Invisalign® a reality. We accept many insurances and also offer affordable financing through CareCredit® and LendingClub®.
