What to Expect with Invisalign at Brownstown Dental Care

Transcript of the video: The Invisalign Process with Dr. Lauren Biernacki

What to Expect with Invisalign at Brownstown Dental Care

Invisalign has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional braces for patients looking to straighten their teeth without the metal wires and brackets. If you’re considering Invisalign, you probably have questions about what the process looks like and how it differs from other orthodontic treatments. In this blog post, Dr. Lauren Biernacki explains the steps involved in Invisalign treatment and what you can expect from start to finish.

The Initial Appointment: Getting Started

The first step in your Invisalign journey at Brownstown Dental Care is a quick and easy initial appointment. During this visit, we’ll take a 3D digital scan of your teeth using our state-of-the-art scanner. This gives us a detailed, accurate view of your teeth and allows us to design a custom treatment plan that will gradually move your teeth into the desired position.

Along with the 3D scan, we’ll also take a few photos of your teeth and smile. This appointment typically takes around 10 minutes, and then you’re on your way.

Receiving Your Aligners

After your initial appointment, there’s a short waiting period while your custom aligners are being made. About three weeks later, you’ll come back to the office for the delivery of your aligners. This is a slightly longer appointment, as we’ll not only give you your first set of aligners but also place small, clear attachments on certain teeth.

These attachments help your aligners fit snugly and assist with specific tooth movements. While these attachments may feel a little foreign at first, most patients find that they get used to them within a few days, and they start to feel completely natural.

How Often Do You Need Check-Ups?

Once you start wearing your aligners, we’ll check in with you regularly to monitor your progress. You’ll wear each aligner for about one week, and after every five to six aligners (around five or six weeks), you’ll return to the office for a follow-up appointment.

At these check-ups, we’ll make sure everything is moving along smoothly, answer any questions you may have, and give you the next set of aligners. Depending on your treatment plan, we may adjust attachments or make other tweaks as needed to ensure your teeth are shifting as expected.

How Invisalign Feels

One of the biggest concerns patients have is whether Invisalign is painful. While everyone’s experience is different, most patients find that Invisalign is far more comfortable than traditional braces. With braces, you might remember having your wires tightened, leading to days of soreness. Invisalign works differently.

Each set of aligners is designed to make small, gradual movements in your teeth. You might feel some tightness for the first day or two after switching to a new aligner, but this sensation is generally mild and only temporary. By day three or four, the tightness usually fades, and the aligners feel more comfortable. This process repeats with each new set of aligners as different teeth move in small increments.

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign is a digital and precise treatment that uses 3D technology to plan out the exact movements of your teeth over time. After we take your 3D scan, we send the data to a lab where your custom aligners are created using 3D printing technology. Each aligner is designed to apply gentle pressure to specific teeth, gradually moving them into the correct position.

Unlike braces, there’s no need for manual tightening or adjustments. Instead, you simply switch to the next aligner in your series according to your treatment plan. Each aligner targets different teeth, so you might notice that the pressure shifts from one part of your mouth to another as you progress through the treatment.

The Benefits of Invisalign

For many patients, the biggest advantage of Invisalign is its discreet appearance. The aligners are clear and nearly invisible when worn, making them a great option for adults or teens who want to straighten their teeth without the noticeable look of metal braces.

Invisalign also offers more flexibility than traditional braces. Since the aligners are removable, you can take them out to eat, drink, or brush your teeth. This means you don’t have to worry about food restrictions or complicated cleaning routines like you would with braces.

However, it’s important to remember that for Invisalign to work effectively, you need to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. That means only taking them out for meals and brushing. The more consistent you are with wearing your aligners, the faster you’ll see results.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

The length of your Invisalign treatment depends on the complexity of your case, but most patients wear aligners for 12 to 18 months. During your initial consultation, we’ll give you a better idea of what to expect based on your specific needs.

Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation

If you’re ready to explore Invisalign as an option for straightening your teeth, we’d love to help you get started. Schedule your free consultation at Brownstown Dental Care, where Dr. Lauren Biernacki and our team will guide you through the entire process—from the 3D scan to the final results.

With Invisalign, you can achieve the smile you’ve always wanted without the hassle of metal braces. Let us help you take that first step towards a more confident, beautiful smile.