Invisalign Dentist in Palo Alto

What Are Invisalign Aligners?

Invisalign are clear aligners that work to move and straighten your teeth in a progressive sequence of trays. Each tray moves your teeth by 0.25mm compared to the preceding trays. You should ideally wear the trays for 22 hours of the day but can remove them during eating, brushing, flossing, and special occasions.  Schedule an appointment to talk to your dentist to see if Invisalign are the right solution for you.

Who can Benefit From Invisalign?   

Invisalign works very well for many individuals who are looking to resolve teeth alignment and bite issues. Invisalign works well for overbites, underbites, crossbites, gap between your teeth, open bites, and overcrowding. They work well for baby and permanent teeth, so adults are good candidates for Invisalign as well. Come in and talk with our dentist to see if you are a good candidate for Invisalign and be on your way to straighter teeth and a beautiful smile!

Are There Limitations to What Invisalign Can Achieve? 

There are some dental conditions that make limit the effectiveness of Invisalign. Prior bridgework can mean your dentist will have to work on the right Invisalign solution to get you your desired smile. Bridges are fixed and as such they cannot move during an Invisalign teeth. Your dentist may decide to remove your bridge to allow Invisalign trays to achieve the desired movement before placing the bridge back in. Similarly, Invisalign may not work for back teeth bite issues, rotation of canines or molars, or move teeth vertically. Come in to discuss the right option for you.

What Do I Need to Know Before I Start the Treatment?

Your dentist will place a new set of Invisalign aligners every two weeks. Each tray will move your teeth an additional 0.25 mm compared to the previous tray. You need to leave the tray on for 20-22 hours in a day. Many patients do not see the full impact of Invisalign because they keep the aligners on for irregular amounts of time. Depending on the complexity of your case, Invisalign can take upto 12-18 months to be effective. You will need to keep wearing retainers at night, after the treatment, so your teeth don’t shift back to their original position. 

What Precautions do I Need to Take During Treatment

Never eat or drink anything, except water, while you have the Invisalign aligners in your mouth. Food particles and acidic drinks can accumulate on your aligners and cause issues such as cavities, bad breath, decay, and even gum disease. You should also avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods as those can damage your aligners. Ensure that you remove and clean your aligners thoroughly between your meals.  

Can a General Dentist Provide Invisalign Solutions?

Remember that only board-certified and Invisalign-trained dentists should be prescribing and administering Invisalign solutions. Schedule your Invisalign appointment with our Invisalign-trained dentists to get clear answers and a customized plan of treatment! We use leading-edge digital evaluation tools in planning the desired tooth movement and successfully correct for crowding and spacing issues.