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Discreet Orthodontic Treatment in Allen, TX
At the office of Dr. Maryam Mojdehi-Barnes, our mission is to help each one of our patients achieve a beautiful, healthy smile that they're proud to show off. As a leading orthodontic practice serving Allen, TX and the surrounding areas, we're proud to provide a wide range of treatment options for our patients, and we work hard to personalize care and tailor treatments to fit the lifestyles of our patients. Traditional metal braces are still one of our most popular treatment options, but one alternative is Invisalign clear aligners, which have been steadily gaining popularity over the past decade.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign clear aligners have become increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional metal braces. As the name implies, Invisalign clear aligners are made of nearly-invisible polyurethane plastic. Rather than being cemented or bonded to the teeth as metal or clear braces are, clear aligners are completely removable — for important social occasions, for eating, and, most importantly, for tooth-brushing and flossing. This means that during treatment, you'll have to be careful to resist the temptation not to wear your aligners, but it also comes with a host of advantages. Here are some other advantages of the Invisalign system:
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Improved Oral Hygiene — With an orthodontic appliance that is removable, you will be able to clean your teeth much more easily than if you were wearing metal braces. You'll never have to deal with floss threaders or any other special tools - just remove the aligners and brush and floss as normal.
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A Discreet Look — If you consider your orthodontic treatment to be a private matter, or simply feel that metal or clear braces don't fit with your self-image, a practically invisible form of orthodontic treatment might suit you.
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More Dietary Choices — To protect metal wires and braces, some diet modifications are necessary. With clear aligners, you have fewer dietary restrictions than with traditional metal braces, but you still have to be careful with the small pieces bonded to your teeth that help facilitate movement and keep your clear aligners in place. Even with fewer food restrictions, it is still important to thoroughly brush your teeth after you eat.
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Comfort — The soft, flexible material of which Invisalign is made will not irritate the soft tissues of the mouth, as metal wires and braces can.
Clear aligner technology has been improving over the years and can correct some malocclusions that once would have been too complicated for this form of treatment. However, there are still many situations for which traditional braces would still be best. As a premier orthodontist serving Allen, we can treat many cases with Invisalign, but we'll talk with you to decide if Invisalign is the best option for you.
Getting Invisalign in Allen, TX
Invisalign clear aligners work the same way traditional braces do: they apply gentle, carefully-controlled forces to teeth to move them into a better position. The difference is that they don't use metal wires and brackets to do this. Instead, they use clear, flexible plastic aligners.
What's the treatment process for Invisalign?
Invisalign treatment relies on specialized computer software that helps us design a plan for moving your teeth to create a bright and radiant smile. This movement will be broken down into perhaps several dozen stages. For each stage, the Invisalign company will manufacture plastic mouth "trays" or "aligners" to fit over your teeth. You will wear this first set of trays for two weeks, for a minimum of 20 hours per day. You will then move on to the next set of aligners in your series to accomplish the next stage of gradual movement. You will continue to do this until your teeth are correctly aligned.
Invisalign Teen in Allen, TX
In the past several years, two features have been added to create a type of Invisalign more appropriate for adolescent orthodontics: Invisalign Teen. Special "eruption tabs" hold the appropriate amount of space open for molars that have not fully grown in. Invisalign Teen also comes with "compliance indicators" built into the aligner material, which fade with wear. This allows parents, dentists, and the teens themselves, to make sure the trays are being worn as prescribed. Treatment with Invisalign can only be successful if this is the case.
Caring for Your Teeth
As mentioned above, one of the main advantages of the Invisalign system is that the trays can be removed for easy cleaning. So please don't neglect to do this! You'll need to brush your teeth after every meal or snack so that food and plaque do not get trapped in the aligners, which could promote tooth decay and gum disease. Your aligners, too, will have to be cleaned regularly; you can do this by brushing them and then rinsing them with lukewarm water.
Also, please keep in mind that while wearing clear aligners is very different from wearing braces, the importance of retaining your post-treatment results is exactly the same. You'll want to be sure to wear your retainer(s) exactly as prescribed after your treatment is completed to protect your investment in a beautiful new smile.
Schedule a Consultation with Your Allen, TX Invisalign Specialist
Invisalign offers a convenient, comfortable option for straightening your teeth, and if you think Invisalign might be right for you, we'd love to help. Contact us today with any questions you may have about Invisalign treatment or about our practice in general. We recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Maryam Mojdehi-Barnes, and you can do so by filling out our easy online form. We can't wait to hear from you, and we're looking forward to helping you achieve a beautiful new smile!
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