Invisalign in Virginia Beach, VA
The Clear Choice for Straighter Teeth!
If someone told you that getting a straighter smile was possible without metal hardware, would you think it was too good to be true? Invisalign in Virginia Beach works to straighten teeth and fix uneven bites through a series of clear trays, all made from high-quality, FDA-approved plastic, while still maintaining your appearance. Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, the Invisalign we offer in Virginia Beach has the potential to change your at-home oral care habits and smile for life.
Contact our dental office today to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Patel.
How Invisalign Works
During your consultation, our cosmetic dentists in Virginia Beach will examine your teeth and determine the exact issues you’re facing. After confirming any present misalignment and malocclusions, they’ll take a digital impression of your teeth using the iTero Element 2 Digital Impression System; reducing the need for the traditional putty material used for taking impressions.
After capturing images of your teeth, they’ll send the 3D images to Invisalign’s offsite lab where they use highly advanced computer software to design your series of aligners. Essentially, your treatment plan is created from start to finish and sent to our dentists for final review. After they’ve signed off on it, Invisalign will create and mail the series to the dental office so you can begin treatment.
While the first pair of aligners won’t feel exactly right, that’s intended. As you wear them, along with every subsequent pair, your teeth will begin shifting to their new and straighter position. After about two weeks, you’ll move on to the next pair until you’ve completed every pair in the series. These are coupled with dental visits every four to six weeks to ensure your teeth are shifting as originally planned.
The Advantages of Invisalign
Invisalign offers many benefits compared to traditional braces, including:
- A truly transparent orthodontic experience
- Easy removal for brushing, eating and drinking fluids other than plain water
- A faster orthodontic treatment overall
- No metal hardware, meaning a more comfortable treatment experience and a lower risk of dental emergencies
- The ability to maintain your professional appearance during orthodontic treatment
Indications for Invisalign
Invisalign is ideal for anyone with mild to moderate levels of teeth crowding, odd spacing, or bite issues. We recommend it primarily for adults and older teens because it does require some self-discipline to wear the trays consistently, and younger smiles are usually better treated with traditional braces.
Crowded Teeth
When teeth have little to no room between them, this can cause problems with your oral health. From tooth decay to gum disease, harmful bacteria can wedge between your teeth, making it impossible to remove with brushing and flossing. Using Invisalign, the clear aligners can shift your teeth and create the necessary room for improved health and smile aesthetics.
Space Between Teeth
Gapped teeth may be cute as a child, but as a working adult, but whether you are a child or an adult, it can be harmful to your teeth and gums if food and bacteria are trapped in the large spaces. Invisalign can work to bring your teeth closer together, eliminating the gap and putting your poorly aligned teeth back into proper alignment.
Bite Alignment
A misaligned bite can be problematic for your jaw, teeth, and overall oral health. Overbites, underbites, crossbite, and even open bites can make it hard to open and close your mouth without experiencing pain as a result. Invisalign is a proven method of treatment, shifting the position of your bite and ultimately, giving you the relief you need to live life pain-free.
During a FREE consultation, you’ll not only get to learn if you or your child is eligible for Invisalign, but we can also show you what the teeth will look like after treatment. It’s just another perk of having state-of-the-art devices like the iTero scanner available in our dental office.
Caring for Invisalign Aligners
Fortunately, taking proper care of your Invisalign aligners isn’t hard to do. There are some simple steps your cosmetic dentist in Virginia Beach will recommend you follow to make sure you don’t put yourself in a position that could delay your treatment.
- Rinse your aligners when you take them out. This will remove dried saliva and plaque and prevent it from transferring to your teeth.
- Soak your aligners using a denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystals. This will keep them sanitized.
- Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, clean your aligners with clear soap and using a gentle hand.
- Brush and floss your teeth prior to reinserting your aligners.
- Never use hot water to clean or rinse your aligners, as it can warp the plastic.
- Don’t eat or drink while wearing your aligners. The only beverage you are allowed to consume and keep your trays in is cold water.
- Never leave your aligners unprotected while out of your mouth, as this will expose them to germs and bacteria, as well as potential damage.
- Don’t use toothpaste because it is too abrasive and can scratch your aligners.
Cost of Invisalign
The overall cost of Invisalign can vary quite a bit from patient to patient depending on the complexity of the misalignment that needs to be corrected, which will directly influence how many trays a person requires. Typically, Invisalign tends to cost the same or a little more than traditional braces, but many patients are happy to pay the difference thanks to the numerous advantages of using clear aligners. To find out what your specific treatment will cost, the best thing to do is give us a call to schedule a FREE consultation.
Don’t hesitate to achieve a truly healthier and more attractive smile. Contact our dental office today to make the clear choice!