Invisalign: Straight and Healthy Smiles Without Braces

For many people with orthodontic issues like crooked teeth, crowded teeth, tooth gaps, or malocclusion (bite problems), the idea of undergoing orthodontic treatment with traditional, metal braces is enough to prevent them from straightening their smiles. However, modern orthodontics offers a popular treatment alternative, Invisalign. Invisalign has revolutionized how we straighten patients' teeth, making the prospect of orthodontic treatment and a straighter, healthier smile more attractive than ever before.  

Why Straighten Your Smile?

Many patients seek orthodontic treatment for aesthetic purposes, to improve the look of their smile by straightening their teeth and creating a more symmetrical and balanced appearance.  

In addition to improving aesthetics, orthodontic treatment also improves oral health by reducing the risk of problems like tooth decay, cavities, periodontal disease, abnormal wear and tear, and temporomandibular joint disorder.  

Orthodontic treatment helps patients achieve good oral health while improving the comfort and appearance of their smiles.  

How Does Invisalign Work?

Instead of using a system of metal wires, metal brackets, and rubber bands, Invisalign uses aligner trays made of smooth, clear plastic. The trays are custom-designed to fit snuggly over a patient's teeth. The trays put gentle pressure on the teeth at specific angles to gradually shift the teeth into the proper alignment and orientation.  

Each Invisalign treatment system contains several sets of aligner trays. Patients wear each set for 22 hours every day for about two weeks before moving on to the next set of trays in their treatment system. Once all of the trays have been worn for the prescribed amount of time, the patient's teeth should be optimally aligned.  

The Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment with Invisalign

Treatment with Invisalign offers several benefits and advantages when compared to treatment with traditional metal braces.

• Discreet Treatment - While metal braces are highly visible, Invisalign's clear aligner trays are virtually invisible. So, patients can straighten their smiles without everyone knowing they're undergoing orthodontic treatment.  

• No Dietary Changes - With metal braces, patients must be careful about the foods they eat because sticky foods can easily get stuck in the wires and brackets and hard foods can potentially damage the orthodontic appliances. With Invisalign, patients need to remove their aligner trays during meals and when drinking anything other than water. This means that patients can continue eating all of their favorite foods during treatment - no matter how hard, sticky, or crunchy.  

• Minimal Lifestyle Adjustments - Metal braces can increase the risk of injuring soft tissues like your tongue, lips, and cheeks during sports and physical activity. With Invisalign, you can continue participating in all of your favorite activities without worrying about hurting your mouth.  

• Easy Care - Invisalign is easy to care for and makes maintaining oral hygiene simple. There is no need for special oral hygiene tools. During treatment with Invisalign, you can continue brushing and flossing your teeth like you normally do, with the addition of brushing and flossing after meals as well.  

• Comfortable to Wear - Invisalign's smooth plastic won't chafe against your soft tissues, so it's much more comfortable than metal braces.  

Get a Beautifully Straight Smile with Our Dentists in Tukwila

If you have orthodontic issues that have gone untreated, we encourage you to learn more about your treatment options. Invisalign is effective for most patients with mild to moderate cases of misalignment, crowding, gapping, and malocclusion.  

At Benca & Gee Dental Wellness, we strive to provide our patients with superior experiences and optimal treatment outcomes to achieve altogether exceptional dental care. To learn more about treatment with Invisalign or find out if it's right for you, we invite you to contact our office to request an orthodontic consultation. We look forward to joining you on your journey to a more beautiful and healthy smile!