Invisalign Clear Aligners Los Gatos

What Kind of Bite Problems Can Invisalign Correct?

Here are a few of the most common issues that Dr. Herrera can treat with the help of Invisalign:

• Overcrowding – This occurs when there is too little space for the teeth to align normally. Overcrowding can cause tooth decay and greatly increase the likelihood of gum disease.
• Gaps Between Teeth – This can sometimes occur because teeth are missing or because the jaw continues to grow abnormally.
• Crossbite – This common problem occurs when one or multiple upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. Consequently, uneven wear on the teeth can lead to enamel erosion as well as gum disease.
• Overbite – This occurs when the upper teeth project further than or completely cover the lower teeth. It’s known to cause jaw pain and issues with the TMJ (temporomandibular joints), which connect your jaw to the rest of your skull.
• Underbite – This is the inverse of an overbite; the lower teeth project further than or completely past the upper teeth. It can cause similar issues, including jaw pain and TMD.

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign is one of the most utilized ways to perfect the alignment of the teeth, but there are others. That’s why it’s so important to talk to us about all of your treatment options! That way, we can discuss all of the things one must consider when deciding which one is best. In the meantime, you can read on to learn a few of the reasons more than 17 million patients have chosen Invisalign.

Ultimate Convenience

One key difference between metal braces and Invisalign is the fact that the latter is entirely removable, whereas braces are affixed to the teeth. As a result, you can take your aligners off before heading into an important meeting at work, going on a first date, or grabbing dinner with friends! Just make sure that you keep them on for a minimum of 20 hours a day so you don’t fall off-track with your treatment plan.

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

It’s true; Invisalign treatment timelines also tend to be a few months shorter on average compared to those of metal braces. In fact, patients often achieve the results they desire in just 12-18 months! If you are interested in getting an estimate of your teeth-straightening journey, schedule a consultation with our Los Gatos dental team. That way, we can learn more about your case, including how many aligners need to be made.

The Trays Are Comfortable and Versatile

It's also worth mentioning that many cosmetic dental treatments, including veneers, don’t actually straighten teeth like Invisalign does – they merely make teeth appear straighter. So, if you are struggling with more considerable misalignment, clear aligners are likely the best solution! With the help of rubber bands, buttons, and attachments, they can effectively correct several common orthodontic problems as well, including overcrowding and open bites.

Basically Invisible Braces

Of course, one of the biggest perks of Invisalign is that the aligners are crafted from smooth, see-through plastic. Traditional braces, on the other hand, use metal brackets and wires, making them considerably more noticeable. So, if you aren’t thrilled about the idea of your orthodontic treatment being one of the first things others notice, you should definitely consider Invisalign!

No Monthly Adjustment Appointments

To ensure continuous pressure is placed on your teeth, traditional braces need to be adjusted every month. That’s not how Invisalign works. Instead, you’ll be given a series of clear aligners, and each one is designed to move your teeth a step closer to their ideal positions. Not only does that mean a more comfortable experience, but it also means less time in the treatment chair.

Freedom to Eat Your Favorite Foods

While traditional braces come with a long list of dietary restrictions, Invisalign does not! There’s a simple reason for this: the aligners are removable. Therefore, there isn’t the same risk of an orthodontic emergency. Of course, it’s still a good idea to fill your plate with foods that benefit your oral health, like cottage cheese, cooked carrots, and scrambled eggs.

In the end, if it’s orthodontic improvement that you’re after and you’d like to do it conveniently and comfortably, Invisalign is a great choice.

The Invisalign Treatment Process

First, Dr. Herrera will devise an initial treatment plan for your specific circumstances. 3D digital images are taken of the entire jaw; these images allow Dr. Herrera to move around specific teeth during the planning phase, view them from different angles, and foresee what the face might look like in the future. In essence, this technology helps to map out the entire Invisalign process from start to finish, which simply wasn’t possible in the past!

Once planning is complete, a unique set of aligners is made that fit precisely over the teeth. Invisalign can be used to correct one or both arches simultaneously, and the total amount of aligners needed usually varies with each case, but typically, anywhere from 20 to 30 sets are needed.

Life with Invisalign

It’s normal to need some time to get used to your Invisalign aligners; wearing them for 22 hours every day isn’t something you’ll automatically adjust to. You’ll want to remove them any time you eat or drink since food debris can become trapped between the trays and your teeth. Certain items might also stain the aligners, making them much more noticeable.

Of course, you’ll also need to remove the aligners any time you’re brushing your teeth, and the aligners will need to be cleaned as well. Usually, you’ll advance to a new set of aligners every two weeks, and you’ll have regular check-ins with Dr. Herrera to ensure that things are moving along as planned.