Invisalign – Forest, VA

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign has helped millions of patients align their smiles and turn them into a feature that they’re proud to show off. Using series of custom-fitted oral appliances that are crafted from an FDA-approved, smooth plastic, your teeth will gently and strategically be shifted into their ideal positions. These trays can correct a variety of issues including crowding, misalignment, gaps, and even bite problems.

How Does The Process Work?

The first step of the process involves an initial consultation. During this visit, we’ll ask you some questions to learn more about the desires you have for your smile. It’s also a great time to ask any questions you may have. We’ll then develop your custom treatment timeline, take images of your mouth, and impressions of your teeth. We will send all of the images and information we’ve collected to a special Invisalign lab where they will craft each set of your aligners to our specifications.

In a few weeks, we’ll call you back in to pick up your first set of trays once they’ve arrived. You’ll wear each aligner for two weeks and slowly begin noticing your teeth getting straighter. Every six weeks, you’ll visit your cosmetic dentist in Forest for a quick evaluation and to receive the next set of trays in your treatment.

Once your treatment starts coming to an end, we may fit you for a retainer to wear in order to keep your teeth from drifting back into their original positions. We’ll let you know how long you’ll need to wear it, and any additional aftercare recommendations we may have.

What Problems Can Invisalign Fix?

Invisalign in Forest is an incredibly versatile treatment that can solve a variety of orthodontic problems. During your consultation, our team will assess the severity of your case and develop a treatment plan to help improve your oral health as well as the alignment of your pearly whites.

Crowded Teeth

Having teeth that are bunched-up can create hard-to-reach areas of your mouth that are perfect for bacteria, plaque, and food debris to hideout in. This can increase your risk of developing common oral health problems such as decay. Invisalign trays will gradually adjust your teeth so they’re side-by-side, making them easier to clean.

Learn More

Gaps Between Teeth

While some people don’t mind having gaps between their teeth, others suffer from declining self-confidence because of this orthodontic issue. Invisalign aligners can close these uneven spaces and prevent the collection of plaque and bacteria between teeth.

Bite Misalignment

Invisalign trays can address overbite, underbite, and cross bite issues that can cause other conditions such as TMJ disorder. By aligning your bite, you’ll be able to reduce your risk of excessive enamel erosion caused by teeth grinding and jaw clenching.

What are the Benefits of Invisalign?

Invisalign is so popular because it offers a laundry list of benefits that traditional braces don’t. The most obvious advantage is that your aligners will be practically unnoticeable. You won’t have to deal with the cumbersome look and feel of brackets and wires. Some additional benefits that are common reasons patients choose Invisalign include:

• The trays are made from smooth plastic with no sharp or jagged edges, meaning you won’t have to endure cuts and irritation like you would with braces. Plus, they’re custom-fitted for your unique smile.
• Improved Oral Hygiene. To brush your teeth, all you need to do is take out your trays. With braces, you need to maneuver between brackets and wires, which doesn’t allow you to cover the entire surface area of your teeth.
• Removable and Convenient. Because you can remove your aligners at any time, your everyday life won’t be as heavily impacted as much as it would with traditional braces.
• Enjoy Your Favorite Foods. All you need to do to eat is remove your aligners, meaning that you can enjoy the foods you normally would without worrying about breaking your oral appliance.

If you have any questions or would like to learn if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, don’t hesitate to contact us today! Our team of professionals would be more than happy to walk you through the process and schedule a consultation.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

You likely want to know Invisalign’s cost before committing to it. After all, how else can you ensure that treatment is cost-effective? In truth, though, aligners’ price varies from patient to patient. You’ll thus need a consultation to get an accurate estimate. Fortunately, we at Crossroads Family Dentistry can see you in person to discuss your Invisalign needs and possible payment options. To learn more about this process, keep reading or call us today!

Invisalign FAQs

You’ll probably have some questions when thinking about getting Invisalign in Forest, and Crossroads Family Dentistry is here to answer them! During your consultation, feel free to voice any concerns you might have about your treatment; we’ll make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision that will lead to a beautiful, straighter smile. To get you started, here are just some of the most commonly asked questions about Invisalign.

What Kind of Orthodontic Problems Can Invisalign Correct?

While certain severe cases require the use of traditional metal braces, Invisalign can be used for a wide variety of orthodontic issues. Obviously, the treatment can help straighten crooked teeth. It can also correct bite problems, whether it’s an overbite (upper teeth too far forward), underbite (upper teeth too far back), crossbite (some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth) or open bite (upper and lower teeth don’t meet). Sometimes Invisalign can also fix some spacing problems if your teeth are too close together or too far apart.

Can I Get Invisalign If I’ve Already Had Braces or Other Dental Work?

If you got braces when you were young, your teeth might have eventually shifted over the years. Luckily, Invisalign can still work even if you’ve already had orthodontic work done; in fact, some patients might be able to switch from braces to Invisalign in the middle of treatment!

If there are porcelain veneers, crowns, or bridgework in your mouth, you might still be able to get Invisalign. It all depends on whether your restoration will still allow the trays to adjust your teeth on an individual basis. We’ll examine the state of your mouth thoroughly before deciding whether Invisalign is right for you.

How Long Will I Need to Wear Invisalign?

The Invisalign trays need to be worn for about 20 to 22 hours a day, and each tray is used for about two weeks before moving on to the next one. The length of Invisalign treatment will depend largely on the complexity of your case and whether you wear the trays as often as you should. On average, Invisalign usually takes about 12 to 18 months. Compared to traditional metal braces that might need to be worn for two or even three years, you can see how Invisalign is often the faster option.

How Can I Take Care of Invisalign Trays?

You can clean your trays using the Invisalign Cleaning System or a denture cleanser; otherwise, you can brush them with a toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste. (Be sure to rinse them in lukewarm water; if they get too hot, the plastic could be warped.) Make sure your aligners are sterilized before you put them in your mouth.

Be careful around blueberries, tomato sauce, coffee and other dark-colored foods and beverages. If any residue remains after your meal, it could permanently stain your Invisalign trays. For this reason, you should brush your teeth thoroughly whenever you’re done eating; you might consider carrying a travel toothbrush to use after lunch.