The Invisalign Process

If you want a beautiful smile with even, straight teeth, gone are the days when you needed to endure years of metal braces. Today, you can straighten your teeth and correct issues with your bite and jawbone alignment with Invisalign clear aligners. 

What can you expect during treatment with Invisalign? It all starts with a consultation. From there you'll get your aligners and will change them every so often. Learn more about the steps involved in the Invisalign process.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a system for straightening teeth and the bite. It's a much more advanced form of orthodontic treatment compared to traditional metal braces. 

Depending on the degree to which you need to straighten your teeth and how well you follow your treatment plan, you could see the results from Invisalign in as little as six months. 

Invisalign in Roseville: Step by Step

If you've decided that Invisalign is right for you or your teen, it helps to know what to expect during the treatment process. Let's walk you through the typical Invisalign treatment, step by step.

1. Schedule a Consultation With a Roseville Dentist

The first step is to schedule an Invisalign consultation with your dentist. During your first visit, your dentist will examine your teeth and talk about your goals. 

We'll discuss what Invisalign can and can't do for you to help you determine if it's the right treatment. While Invisalign can help straighten teeth, it's not the right option for all orthodontic concerns. 

We'll also give you a general idea of what to expect while you're receiving treatment with Invisalign. The aligners are designed to be discrete, but they do require you to wear them for at least 22 hours a day. That's perfectly fine for plenty of people, but not always ideal or appropriate for others. 

2. Capture Images of Your Teeth and Develop a Treatment Plan

You've heard the details about Invisalign, and your dentist has let you know that you're a great candidate for treatment. The next step is to get images of your teeth. Your dentist will do this in the office using a 3-D scanner. After scanning your teeth, we'll develop a treatment plan that will slowly adjust your teeth until you have the smile you've dreamed of.

Using the images captured during the 3-D scanning, Invisalign will create clear aligners that are custom-fit to your mouth. We'll let you know when they're ready to pick up and will give you more detailed instructions for wearing them at that time. You'll swap out your aligners every few weeks so that your teeth are gently pushed into a more aligned position.

3. Wear and Care for Your Aligners

Practically no one will know you're wearing Invisalign unless you tell them. The aligners are clear and sit snugly against your teeth. They put gentle pressure on your teeth, causing them to move ever so slightly. 

To get the most out of your treatment, you'll want to wear your aligners for up to 22 hours a day. The only times you should remove them are when you're eating or drinking. Before you put them back on your teeth, be sure to brush your teeth. To keep your aligners clean, rinse them with water and gently brush them with a toothbrush. You can also use a cleaning system to keep your aligners looking fresh and clear. 

You can expect to change your aligners every one or two weeks, based on your treatment plan. You need to change aligners to see the results from your treatment. Each new set of aligners is slightly different from the previous one, which helps guide your teeth to their new position. Don't worry if the aligners feel slightly uncomfortable at first - that's a sign that they're working!

4. See Your Orthodontist in Roseville Regularly

You'll want to keep in touch with your dentist throughout your Invisalign treatment. Ideally, you'll come into the office for a check-up every six to 12 weeks. During your check-ups, your dentist will monitor your teeth's progress and answer any questions you have about your treatment. 

At your check-ins, your dentist may take another scan of your teeth and may recommend changing your aligners. It all depends on the progress you're making. Some adjustments may be necessary. If that's the case, don't stress about it. Everyone's treatment plan and experience is unique. You can feel confident that your dentist is doing what it takes to get you the smile of your dreams.

5. Keep up the Good Results With a Retainer

You've done it! You finished with your last aligner. Congratulations, but your Invisalign journey isn't over yet. You'll need to wear a retainer to maintain your results. 

For the first six months after treatment, you'll wear the retainer at all times, taking it out only to eat and drink. It'll be a lot like the Invisalign treatment itself. After six months, you can switch to wearing the retainer only at night. 

What to Know When Wearing Your Aligners

Your Invisalign aligners are meant to be snug! Don't be alarmed if they're a bit tricky to get on and off, especially when you first start wearing a new set. Think of it this way, a tight fit means that the aligners are doing their job.

You'll need to wear your aligners consistently to get results. If you're a parent of a teen who's undergoing Invisalign treatment, you can look at the blue markers on the aligners to confirm that they're wearing them for the recommended 20 to 22 hours a day. 

The Benefits of Invisalign

Compared to traditional braces, there are many benefits of Invisalign treatment.

• Less interference in your activities: Invisalign won't disrupt your life or keep you from doing the hobbies and activities you love. You can swim, play sports and go about your daily life with Invisalign.
• No worry about "metal mouth": You're waiting for the after photo when you get orthodontic treatment, but what the "during" photos? Since Invisalign's aligners are clear and discrete, you won't end up with a "metal mouth" or be embarrassed by your photos during the treatment time. 
• Eat what you want: Braces restrict what you can eat. Invisalign doesn't. Since you remove the aligners while you eat and drink, food won't get stuck in them. Just make sure you brush before putting the aligners back into place.
• Easy maintenance: No more visiting the orthodontist for adjustments or fussing around with stray wires. Invisalign aligners are a snap to care for. You can clean them with warm water and a toothbrush or invest in a cleaning system to keep them as clear and bright as possible.

Schedule Your Consultation With a Roseville Family Dentist Today

Are you ready to give Invisalign a try? Contact BB Dental Studio in Roseville to schedule a consultation!