You may have seen commercials on TV, or perhaps you know someone who has worn Invisalign® aligners. At our office in Fort Worth, TX, we offer these clear orthodontic aligners to help patients enjoy better alignment. But who benefits from Invisalign®? Can anyone wear them?
Interceptive Orthodontics
Aligners, retainers, and other orthodontic appliances for children, known as interceptive orthodontics, may help address misalignment in early ages. As the child grows, these devices help improve alignment and limit the severity of misalignment in the teen years. At this point, the patient will be more likely to benefit from clear aligners. We suggest children undergo an orthodontic exam at around age seven, at which point we will see if they need to begin orthodontic treatment. Addressing the issue early helps limit the amount of time needed to address misalignment in the teen and adult years.
Teen and Adult Patients
Invisalign® helps address minor and more substantial cases of misalignment for patients of nearly all ages. We will need to carefully examine the patient’s smile to see if he or she will benefit from clear aligners, or if braces would be a better option. The amount of treatment time will vary, but adults usually require about a year. Since teen smiles are still developing, treatment could take between a year and 18 months to see optimal results. Our teen and adult patients tend to prefer aligners over braces due to the system’s practically invisible appearance. Remember, if you want to see if these aligners will help, let us know and schedule a consultation today.
The Invisalign® Process
How does Invisalign® work? Well, we don’t need to employ metal brackets or wires. Instead, using digital imaging technology we take detailed digital impressions of your smile. At a lab, experts will use the impression to create a series of aligners from a clear material. The patient then wears the aligners for between 20 and 22 hour a day, upgrading to a new set once every two weeks. In order to see optimal results in the time frame discussed with your orthodontist, you need to wear them as prescribed. However, you can remove them before meals (meaning you won’t need to alter your diet) and prior to brushing and flossing, which helps improve your oral health. If you have any questions about our clear orthodontics or if you or a family member would benefit from orthodontic treatment, then contact our team today.
Interested in Our Clear Aligners?
Our team would like to help you enjoy a more even and healthy smile with cosmetic orthodontics. To schedule your consultation and start treatment, please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Haslet, Azle, Saginaw, and all surrounding communities.
