Invisalign®
Who doesn’t want to have straight teeth? But not many people look forward to the discomfort and inconvenience of traditional braces — metal bands irritating your lips, wires poking your cheeks, having to avoid certain foods, and the difficulty of getting your teeth and braces really clean.
Now you have another option with Dr. Siegelman— Invisalign®.
Instead of metal bands and wires, Invisalign® uses a computer-designed series of clear plastic “aligners” to move the teeth into the desired location. The results are the same, without all the metal and all the aggravation. Call (212) 974-8737 today to speak with our office and learn whether you are a candidate for Invisalign®.
What is Invisalign®?
Invisalign® is an alternative orthodontic system. Instead of using bands cemented to the teeth with wires strung through them, Invisalign® uses a series of clear aligners. The patient wears each aligner for about two weeks, from 20-22 hours per day. But, unlike braces, the aligners can be removed when eating and for brushing and flossing.
Traditional braces create movement by adjusting the pull of the wires and using various rubber bands. This leads to a fair degree of soreness every month for a few days after the wires are tightened.
Invisalign® aligners are designed using the system’s 3D computer imaging software. This projects the necessary movement necessary and designs the series of aligners to gradually move the teeth. Each series of upper and lower aligners gently move the teeth closer and closer to the end position. After wearing a set of aligners for a couple of weeks, the pair is replaced by the next pair. This process continues until the teeth are aligned and in position.
Invisalign® is very comfortable. The aligners fit snugly onto your teeth. Movement is achieved with much less daily irritation from bands and wires, and each successive aligner doesn’t create the soreness associated with “tightening” wires and changing to new rubber bands with traditional braces.
What Teeth Alignment Problems Can Be Handled With Clear Braces?
Invisalign® can handle most orthodontic needs. This system can’t be used in cases where severe movement needs to be accomplished, but most mild to moderate cases are perfect for Invisalign®. Here are problems Dr. Siegelman use Invisalign® to correct with their patients:
- Gaps between teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
What Are The Advantages Of Invisalign® Over Traditional Braces?
Invisalign® has many advantages over traditional braces:
- Cosmetic appeal — Aligners are virtually invisible, even from close up.
- Less discomfort — Invisalign® doesn’t have wires to poke your cheeks or bands to rub on your lips.
- Easy hygiene — For brushing and flossing, simply remove the aligner.
- Eat whatever you want — No more need to cut off corn on the cob or avoid chewy foods.
- Greater flexibility — Play trumpet in the band? Simply remove your aligner when practicing.
- No tightening sessions — Simply switch to the next aligner in the series every couple weeks.
- Little or no impact on daily life — Invisalign® basically allows the patient to eat, brush, and live normally, all the while straightening his or her teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is The process?
The first step toward straightening your teeth with Invisalign® is a full dental examination and analysis of your bite using our digital scanning system. This system instantly creates precise 3D digital images of your teeth. Using these, Dr. Siegelman then map out a treatment plan, including the movement of your teeth in stages. With the Invisalign® software, we can preview to the patient exactly how his or her teeth will progress through treatment. This information is then sent to Align Technology, which creates the aligners.
When your aligners arrive at our office, you’ll have your next appointment with Dr. Siegelman. They will explain how to use the aligners and will give you the first few pairs in the series. From there, every two weeks you will replace the current aligners and switch to the next pair. About every six weeks you’ll see Dr. Siegelman so we can monitor your progress and give you the next series of aligners.
Wearing Your Aligners
In your appointment, Dr. Siegelman will stress the importance of wearing your aligners for at least 20-22 hours every day. This may seem difficult, but once the aligners are on your teeth, most people forget they are there. You remove your aligners to eat and for brushing and flossing, but otherwise they should be on your teeth. Each aligner is designed to exert a certain amount of pressure on certain teeth, pushing the teeth in the desired direction. When this pair of aligners has done its job moving your teeth, the next aligners will exert slightly different pressure to continue moving the teeth toward their final positions.
How Long Will It Take To Straighten My Teeth?
Just as every patient’s teeth and bite is unique, there isn’t a set treatment time to align those teeth. Average treatment time with Invisalign® is about one year. Less severe alignment issues may take less time. If at the end of your treatment, Dr. Siegelman and you agree that more movement is needed, then we can order more aligners.
Is Invisalign® Painful?
People who have worn traditional braces can tell you that “tightening” sessions were something to dread, as the patient’s teeth were quite sore for the next couple of days. Not only do you not have to have “tightening” sessions because you simply change out aligners every two weeks, but the discomfort felt when switching to a new aligner is far less than adjustments to metal braces. Plus, the typical day in, day out pain and irritation from the bands and wires is non-existent with Invisalign®.
Will I Need To Wear A Retainer To Keep My Teeth In Place?
Those who’ve had regular braces know that a retainer is needed after your bands are removed to keep your teeth from drifting back. The same is true with Invisalign®. But instead of retainers that uncomfortably click onto the roof of your mouth, Invisalign® uses Vivera® retainers made of the same material as Invisalign® aligners. Patients receive four Vivera® retainers; the retainers are similar to the aligners, but are thicker and more durable because they need to be worn for a few months at a time.
Want straighter teeth? Contact (212) 974-8737 our experience dentists today! We proudly serve New York City, Westchester County, Long Island, and Rockland County for Invisalign services.
Call Our Dentists Today For Invisalign® In NYC!
If you wish to learn more about the benefits of Invisalign® and whether you are a candidate, be sure to call (212) 974-8737 today! Or, you can fill out our appointment request form and schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Siegelman by clicking here! Our practice serves NYC and the surrounding areas of New York!
