Invisalign Austin, TX

Having crooked teeth can often make life challenging. Not only can they make you feel self-conscious about showing your smile, but they’re also harder to clean. As a result, the bacteria-filled plaque has an easier time building up in your gums and teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and infections.

Fortunately, orthodontics can fix both of these issues, and our team at Derby Dental is here to help! Dr. Meghan Kilkelly and Dr. Erika Whitehouse would love to give you a straighter, more confident smile with orthodontic treatment. Contact us today to schedule your consultation to discuss Invisalign in Austin, TX! We also provide additional cosmetic dentistry services to patients in Austin, Texas. 

Invisalign in Austin, TX

How Invisalign Clear Aligners Work

Instead of needing metal brackets and wires to straighten your teeth, you’ll use a series of plastic clear aligners during your Invisalign treatment. You’ll wear each set for a couple of weeks before progressing to the next pair. These trays are meant to gradually move your teeth into a more ideal position until your smile is perfectly straight.

Since there won’t be any wires or brackets to adjust, you also won’t require as many checkup appointments. You’ll still need to visit your dentist about every six weeks, but this will only be to pick up your new set of aligners and to ensure your smile is progressing smoothly!

Indications for Invisalign

Various orthodontic issues can be treated with Invisalign, including the following conditions:

Crowded Teeth

Having crowded teeth can also put you at risk of complications like tooth decay and gum disease. For this reason, you can benefit from Invisalign treatment if you feel like you have too many pearly whites in your mouth. By applying focused pressure to different sections of your smile throughout the process, your clear aligners will gradually move your teeth into a more properly aligned position.

Gaps Between Teeth

Spaces in your smile can not only feel embarrassing or unattractive, but they can also increase your risk of cavities and gum infection. This can be due to food debris and particles having easier access to the areas between your teeth, making you vulnerable to decay and even bad breath. With Invisalign, you can effectively close any space for a more appealing and healthier smile.

Bite Alignment

Bite misalignment issues can place excessive pressure on your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), increasing the chances of TMJ disorder or teeth grinding/clenching. These conditions may include an overbite, underbite, or even a crossbite. By undergoing Invisalign treatment, you can avoid any additional complications in your bite pattern.

The Benefits of Invisalign

When Invisalign technology was first introduced a couple of decades ago, it took the world by storm. Invisalign remains wildly popular to this day because of the many benefits it provides, in addition to being virtually unnoticeable. For example:

  • Invisalign has a shorter average treatment timeline than traditional braces.
  • Because the aligners are made from smooth plastic, they shouldn’t irritate the soft tissues in your mouth as metal brackets and wires do.
  • The trays are removable, so you won’t have to change your diet or your daily oral care routine.
  • Your regular progress checkups will be much shorter since there are no braces to tighten.

Living with Invisalign Aligners

After reading through the above information and learning everything from how Invisalign works to the common orthodontic issues they correct, you may find yourself wondering, “But what is life with braces actually like?” It’s a great question! For that reason, we’ve dedicated this next section to reviewing tips for cleaning your trays, what to do if you lose an aligner, and more.