Invisalign®
Serving Fort Lauderdale, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and Boca Raton, Florida
Invisalign® is an alternative way to straighten your teeth. If you have crowded or misaligned teeth, you no longer have to deal with metal brackets and wires. The Invisalign system uses clear plastic aligners designed for you in a series that will gradually nudge poorly aligned teeth into their correct positions. Invisalign follows the principles of orthodontics but without the metal hardware.
The aligners are like tooth-whitening trays but are designed to put pressure on certain teeth at certain angles. Every two weeks you would wear a different pair of aligners and by the end of the series, your teeth would be correctly aligned. If you have TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, also abbreviated as TMD), your Invisalign treatments can be done as part of your neuromuscular dentistry work to bring your bite into alignment.
Getting Started With Invisalign
Once you and West Palm Beach Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Sarris have discussed your options and decided that Invisalign is the best way to go, he will assess your bite and tooth positions in greater detail. He will take digital photos, X-rays, and other measurements and use Invisalign software to plan your series of aligners.
He will then send all the data to the Invisalign company, where a technician will make your entire set of aligners. When they arrive at our office, you will have an appointment for Dr. Sarris to explain how to use them and how they will work.
The clear aligners fit snugly over your teeth. When you put the first aligners in you will feel the gentle pressure they apply, although after a few days you will become used to it. Dr. Sarris will give you the first two or three pairs of aligners and every two weeks, you discard the current ones and start wearing the next pair. Appointments will be set up for you to get the next few pairs of aligners and for Dr. Sarris to check on your progress.
Comfort and Convenience
Invisalign trays are more comfortable than traditional braces because they do not contain any metal which can tear or irritate your skin. Being transparent, they are barely noticeable, even when you are speaking. You should remove your Invisalign trays to eat, brush, and floss, and you do not have to purchase any special dental hygiene products.
It is important to keep the trays in place for at least 20 hours each day, preferably longer. The carefully designed pressures must be on your teeth most of the time in order to be effective. However, aligners can be removed for important events like:
- Weddings
- Presentations
- Reunions
- Holiday parties
- Portraits
Candidates for Invisalign
Not everyone is a candidate for Invisalign. If your tooth misalignment is too severe, Dr. Sarris may refer you to an orthodontist. However, Invisalign may be ideal for you if:
Your misalignment is not too severe
You would like to maintain a professional appearance
You have important events in the near future
Neither crooked teeth nor metal braces fit with your lifestyle
If your misalignment is mild enough, you could possibly choose porcelain veneers over Invisalign. Some people prefer those immediate results. However, Invisalign retains the integrity of your natural teeth, and may be recommended in conjunction with other cosmetic dentistry procedures like gum recontouring.
Please see Questions About Invisalign for more details.
If you would like to know more about Invisalign, please contact our dental office today for your complimentary consultation. Dr. Sarris serves cosmetic dentistry patients in the Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Boynton Beach areas of Florida.
Contact Us
561.278.7450
John G. Sarris, D.M.D., P.A.
1911 S. Federal Highway, Suite 600
Delray Beach, Florida 33483
