Seven seconds. That’s how long it takes for people to form their first impression of you. That may not be the only reason to straighten your teeth, but for most teens and adults, it’s certainly the most compelling one.
And yet, a lot of people live with crooked teeth — even knowing what a positive impact a beautiful smile can have on their appearance and self-confidence. How can that be? The answer is simple. They remember childhood friends with traditional metal braces and the agony and humiliation they went through.
- The name-calling.
- The painful tightening sessions at the dentist.
- The list of foods they couldn’t eat.
It’s just a few crooked teeth, they think. I guess I can live with it.
Fortunately, with Invisalign® clear braces, you can have that beautiful smile you always dreamed of without going through the embarrassment of wearing traditional braces. Invisalign clear braces straighten your teeth in less time than traditional braces, with far less discomfort, and at a cost that is affordable.
But the best part is, they are completely invisible. No one else will know that you are correcting your smile — it’s a secret just between you and your dentist.
It only takes a few minutes for our Overland Park dentist assess whether you are a good candidate for this revolutionary technique in cosmetic dentistry. It could be the best investment of time and money you ever make.
How Invisalign Works
If you are a good candidate for the procedure —and most patients are — the dentist will take a digital scan of your mouth and map out a treatment plan that is custom designed for you. This virtual treatment plan allows you to see how your teeth will look once the process is complete as well as to chart your progress along the way.
The results of your scan and the resulting treatment plan is then sent to the lab, which will create your first set of plastic aligners, a top aligner and a bottom one. As soon as they are ready, you wear them for a two week period —no less than 22 hours a day — then exchange them for a new set. Each set of custom aligners moves your teeth progressively closer to the target goal.
It’s that simple. The only additional thing you’ll need to do is see your dentist every two months to make sure the alignment process is working properly.
Depending on how much correction your teeth need, Invisalign clear braces take anywhere from six months to two years to move your teeth into the proper position.
The Advantages of Invisalign Over Traditional Braces
1. You Can’t See Them.
Wearing braces can be an embarrassing reminder that you are a work in progress. Not realizing that teeth can shift over time, people may even wonder why it is that your parents weren’t able to provide braces for you when other kids were getting them. With Invisalign, no one will be able to tell you are wearing braces.
2. The Trays Are Removable.
That means you can take them off to eat the occasional hard or chewy foods that are forbidden when you wear traditional braces. More importantly, you can remove them in order to brush and floss your teeth properly.
3. They Won’t Hurt You.
When you were younger, you probably heard your friends complaining that a piece of metal from their braces got loose and was poking their tongue or gums. Invisalign clear braces are made entirely of plastic. There are no wires to poke and prod. You may even forget that you are wearing them.
4. They Are Better for Your Health.
Wearing traditional braces can negatively impact dental hygiene. That’s because bacteria can get trapped underneath the hardware, in places that you can’t reach with a toothbrush or piece of floss. At the time same that you are straightening your teeth with traditional metal braces, you could also be developing periodontal disease or introducing decay. These problems could lead to more expensive dental treatments over time.
5. You Know What to Expect.
Invisalign treatment is typically shorter in duration than wearing traditional braces. From start to finish, it’s also a more “transparent” process. The virtual treatment plan allows you to see how your teeth will look when the process is complete and at every step along the way.
Who Benefits Most from Invisalign
Clear braces are a viable option for patients suffering from a range of conditions. They can be used to shift teeth that have moved in your jaw over time, correct misalignment, straighten crooked teeth, fix underbites, slight overbites, and crossbites.
With the advent of an advanced procedure called Precision Cuts, which attaches rubber bands to the upper and lower trays, Invisalign can help more dental patients than before.
There are pros and cons to every dental procedure, including Invisalign treatment. For some patients, particularly those with severe overbites and crossbites, the procedure is not effective, and these patients may need traditional metal braces, tooth extraction, or even surgery to correct an underlying skeletal problem.
But for most, Invisalign can not only correct cosmetic defects but also problems with misalignment that, over time, can lead to grinding, clenching, stress fractures, and a host of other problems.
Ready to Make a Great Impression?
KC Smile is a proud to offer Invisalign® clear braces, America’s favorite alternative to traditional braces. Dr. Ross Headley, an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, is ready to consult with you at his Overland Park office. We also offer other cosmetic dentistry procedures such as porcelain veneers, dental bonding, gum recontouring, smile makeovers, and teeth whitening.
Schedule your consultation today at 913-491-6874 or via our online contact form. We look forward to helping you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of having.
