Metal braces aren’t the only way to straighten your smile. If you have mild to moderate alignment issues, clear aligner therapy – also known as Invisalign – is a great choice! Best of all, the aligners are practically invisible, so you can discreetly straighten your teeth. Here’s everything you need to know:

How Does Invisalign Work?

Once we’ve determined that Invisalign works for you, we take a close look at your smile. Using computer software, we design what your dream smile will look like after Invisalign. We then take impressions of your teeth and send them to a lab. The lab uses the computer-designed smile and the impressions to make your aligners.

For best results, you should wear your aligners at least 22 hours per day. After two weeks, you switch to the next set in the treatment. These clear trays use gentle force to straighten your teeth. Every 4-6 weeks, you’ll come to the office to get your next few trays. The average total treatment time is about a year. On average, Invisalign takes less time than traditional braces.

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign has many benefits over metal braces. The most obvious is that Invisalign is very discreet. The clear trays are barely noticeable, so you can smile with confidence. The smooth plastic material is also more comfortable. You take out the trays to eat, drink, and brush your teeth. Unlike with metal braces, you don’t have food restrictions! Whenever you take out the aligners, it’s a good idea to at least rinse them. They should be washed twice a day in a mild soap or a cleaning product like denture cleaner.

Get the Smile of Your Dreams at Mission Hills Family Dental

If you’ve always wanted a straighter smile, Invisalign is a great way to get there. Clear, comfortable, and often quick, the treatment has many benefits over metal braces. If you’re interested in clear aligners, Dr. Miller and the team will go over the costs before we get started. If you have any questions about Invisalign or are ready to set up a consultation at our San Marcos location, please contact us today!