Do you have crooked teeth? Are you looking for an orthodontic alternative to traditional braces? Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligners to straighten teeth gradually. These clear aligners are simple to use and allow patients to brush their teeth and eat without restrictions. Here we will answer frequently asked questions about the Invisalign process in our Bethesda, MD dental office to help patients who are interested in Invisalign but unsure if it’s right for them.
FAQs: Invisalign Treatment in Bethesda, MD
Read answers to popular questions many patients have about Invisalign:
How long is Invisalign treatment?
Every patient is different, so their specific orthodontic needs will impact the length of their treatment. However, Invisalign treatment can take 12 to 18 months or longer. How patients care for their aligners and how often they wear their aligners will contribute to their total treatment time.
Am I a candidate for Invisalign treatment?
Invisalign is best suited for patients who have mild to moderate orthodontic problems. Patients with tooth gaps or crooked teeth can benefit from Invisalign. However, if patients made moderate to severe problems that can include a crossbite, overbite, or underbite, we may recommend metal braces.
Do you need to wear Invisalign during sleep?
We recommend that patients wear their Invisalign aligners for 22 hours daily. This means that they will wear their aligners during sleep. However, patients can remove their aligners to eat and drink anything other than water.
How long does Invisalign last?
After Invisalign treatment, patients will wear retainers to keep their teeth in place. Wearing a retainer prevents teeth from shifting and ensures that results with Invisalign last.
Is Invisalign treatment painful?
You should not feel much pain during Invisalign treatment. As you get accustomed to each new aligner set, you may feel some soreness. However, this will quickly pass.
What can you eat with Invisalign?
You cannot eat any food with your Invisalign aligners on your teeth. However, you can remove your aligners to eat. It is still a good idea to avoid overly sticky, chewy, or hard foods, but there will not be any orthodontics in the way when you eat.
Do I have to brush after every meal with Invisalign?
We recommend that patients brush and floss after meals before placing their aligners back on their teeth. Brushing and flossing can prevent bacterial buildup and staining in the aligners. It is important to not eat or drink with the aligners on, unless you are drinking water.
Are you interested in Invisalign treatment? Schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Srotalina Khanna online or call Bethesda Family Smiles today at 301.500.2205. Let us know if you have any more questions about Invisalign, and we can help.