Expert Orthodontic Care in Vancouver, WA
At the office of Dr. Lauren Cai, we believe everyone deserves a gorgeous smile to call their own – and we're proud to help our patients achieve one through personalized, high-quality orthodontic treatment. As a leading orthodontic practice serving patients of all ages in the Vancouver and Longview, WA areas, we're proud to take a comprehensive approach to achieving a new smile for our patients. While we offer traditional treatments like metal braces, we're proud to offer the virtually-invisible option of Invisalign. To help make the treatment process easier, we've compiled a few of the most common questions about Invisalign along with their answers.
What are the benefits of Invisalign?
Thanks to its unique design, Invisalign comes with a number of benefits. A few of the primary benefits of Invisalign include:
- Virtually Invisible: Because aligners are clear and fit directly onto the dental arch, they're almost impossible to see when worn.
- No Dietary Restrictions: You'll remove your aligners to eat, so there are no dietary restrictions. You can still enjoy all your favorite foods!
- Improved Comfort: Invisalign aligners are smooth to the touch and lay flat on the teeth, so they won't irritate the mouth and cause the tiny cuts and scrapes that come with braces.
- Simpler Oral Hygiene: Because you remove the aligners to brush and floss, you won't have to deal with extra tools like floss threaders – oral hygiene is as easy as ever.
How is Invisalign different from braces?
Invisalign uses a fundamentally different method to move the teeth than braces. Instead of brackets and a springy metal archwire, Invisalign uses a consecutive series of plastic trays – called aligners – to move the teeth. You switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks, and each set brings you closer to your ideal smile.
How do I care for my aligners?
Caring for Invisalign aligners is easy. Simply brush them every time you take them out, and occasionally soak them in a glass of water with a denture cleaning tablet. Keeping them clean will help keep your breath fresh and prevent any dental decay problems during treatment.
What happens after treatment?
As with all forms of orthodontic treatment, you'll need retention therapy after finishing the active portion of your treatment. Without retention, your teeth will simply move back to their old positions! As an Invisalign patient, however, you can simply wear your final pair of aligners as your retainer, making the retention process simple and convenient.
Schedule an Invisalign Consultation in Longview, WA
We've helped countless patients achieve a new smile through Invisalign, and if you're considering Invisalign for yourself, we'd love to help you do the same. Contact us today to learn more about treatment and find out how Invisalign can help you. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you achieve your dream smile!