Invisalign Braces: How Do They Work
Many dental patients are curious about Invisalign braces and are constantly asking the dental team about Invisalign braces and how they work. As a preferred provider of Invisalign braces, we here at HGS Ortho want to keep our dental patients informed, outlining the Invisalign treatment and the decision process.
So, how do they work?
Invisalign braces work with cutting edge, 3-D technology, the dental team at HGS Ortho will create custom-made, clear aligners for your teeth and create a treatment plan specifically catered to you. You will wear each set of aligners for approximately two weeks, which will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place. After the specified time, you can start the next series of aligners until treatment is complete and your smile is straight!
Invisalign braces have many advantages to the traditional braces that have been used by orthodontics for years. Unlike metal braces, the only time you may feel some minor discomfort is around the time you receive and put on a new aligner. A bit of force on your teeth is normal and is actually a good sign that Invisalign braces are doing their job.
The advantages of Invisalign
Due to the fact that Invisalign braces are clear, another great advantage of these invisible braces is that no one will know that you’re even wearing them. In addition, you will be able to eat as normal during your treatment because Invisalign aligners are completely removable. It’s simple: Remove your aligners before you eat, floss or brush your teeth, and then put them back in when you’re done.
To ensure that Invisalign works for you, always wear your Invisalign braces for the whole day–except when you briefly take them out to eat, brush or floss.
At the beginning of treatment, some patients at HGS Ortho experience a slight lisp. However, after a day or two your tongue will get used to the aligners, resulting in your speech going back to normal. To maintain good oral health during Invisalign treatment, brush and rinse your aligners in lukewarm water daily to get rid of any food particles or bacteria.
Visit the dental team at HGS Ortho every 4-6 weeks so we can check on how you are progressing with your Invisalign Braces. Our dental team works to create a unique schedule organized just for you to give you the individual treatment plan that works for you.
If you would like more information about Invisalign braces and how they work, or to book a consultation appointment at HGS Ortho please contact us today.
Read MoreBraces: Common Problems And Quick Fixes
Some problems with braces can have you waiting until your next appointment with Richmond orthodontist HGS Ortho, while other issues may require you to call us so that we can try to squeeze you in for a quick appointment to fix the problem. Keeping a few home remedies in mind for easily solvable common braces issues as well as recognizing when you’ll need to contact HGS Ortho, can help you know what to do if you have a problem.
If the ends of your braces’ wires become loose from your teeth shifting, they may cause irritation in your mouth. The first thing to try is a cotton swab. Most often, placing one end of a cotton swab against the loosened wire to move it back can help keep it from irritating your mouth. If this isn’t successful in helping you solve this common braces problem, you could try using tweezers to gently grasp and move the wire back in place. If the wire is still protruding uncomfortably, place a pea-sized ball of cotton or wax at the wire’s end to keep it from causing you further mouth irritation. If your loose braces’ wire problem persists, call the receptionist at HGS Ortho to make an appointment.
If an elastic on your braces breaks, call our Port Coquitlam orthodontic office to see if we need to have you come in to have it quickly replaced or wait until your next appointment to replace it. In the case of a broken bracket, which commonly occurs if the braces are played with or if the bracket catches on hard or sticky foods, you can usually just bring it to your next appointment at HGS Ortho. If, however, a loose bracket is still attached to your braces, you can try covering it with wax paper to make it feel more comfortable. It’s important to remember not to use headgear with loose brackets. If a band becomes unglued from your braces, save the band and call our office so that you can come in for a quick recementing before the space for the band closes up. If you experience any pain or discomfort due to any braces problems, contact HGS Ortho immediately.
Read MoreBraces for Children: The Basics
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first visit with an orthodontist at age 7 as a good way of predicting whether or not treatment will be required in the future. Although children are rarely fitted with braces until an average of about 10-14 years old, by age 7 their back teeth (molars) are established. From these molars, the orthodontists at HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam can predict many potential bite problems. The types of braces for children that may eventually be recommended by an orthodontist will depend on the type of bite issue each individual child may have. Some children with bite problems may end up having only upper or lower treatment, while others may require both.
Children’s metal braces are always bonded to clean, dry teeth. Bonding primer is placed on the teeth before the wire brackets are attached with composite cement. Next, our Port Coquitlam and Richmond orthodontists will attach the teeth straightening wires by placing a section of wire into the slot on each bracket. A metal or elastic tie holds the wire in the slot in these traditional braces for children. Newer types don’t require the ties. Invisalign, which is a type of clear plastic and nearly invisible braces, is a popular choice today — especially for teens and adults who don’t want the obvious look of metal wires on their teeth.
A good thing to keep in mind when children first get braces is that it may take kids time to get used to them. Keep on the look out for places where wires may have come loose as sores may develop in the mouth due to wire irritating the inner cheeks. Often, simple solutions such as adding a pea-sized ball of wax or cotton over the protruding wire, can solve the problem. To learn more about children and braces or to book a first check up appointment for your 7-year-old, call the team at HGS Ortho soon.
Orthodontic Treatment: When Do You Need It?
The best age to see an orthodontist for the first time is at 7 years old. It’s widely considered by orthodontists as the best age to first examine a patient as the molars (back teeth) are usually in and these help establish the child’s bite. From this early exam, a Richmond orthodontist at HGS Ortho is often able to get a good understanding of any potential bite problems.
For parents, it can be beneficial to know ahead of time the likely type of orthodontic treatments that may be required for their child in the future. For instance, if the orthodontist predicts that braces are likely to be needed in the teen years, then parents have more time to prepare for them in terms of financial planning or dental insurance considerations. Adults often need orthodontic treatments if once-straight teeth become crooked due to causes such as aging, injury or gum disease. They may also seek out an Port Coquitlam orthodontist for jaw problems or facial reconstruction.
Facial reconstruction orthodontics are often sought by people who have been in a disfiguring accident, while Port Coquitlam and Richmond patients with jaw bone loss or disorders such as TMJ conditions may require orthognathic (jaw) surgery or other treatments. If bite problems or jaw pain is ongoing, an appointment can be booked with our orthodontists. Malocclusions (bite problems) are a main specialty of orthodontists. An examination at age 7 and follow-up will reduce or eliminate potential bite issues such as overbites or under bites, and is ideal as the child ages.
Older children, teens, and adults often receive treatment from orthodontists for braces to straighten crooked or misaligned teeth. While in some cases, orthodontists treat children aged 7-9 with orthodontic devices for bite problems, kids, and teens between the ages of 10-14 are more likely candidates for braces. Adults, as well as teens, are now common seekers of teeth straightening orthodontics thanks to the advances in braces such as the popular, nearly invisible, clear plastic aligners called Invisalign. To learn more about Invisalign or other orthodontic options, contact our team. Call 604-464-2527 to book an appointment.
Read MoreWhat to Expect at Your First Appointment at HGS Ortho
At HGS Ortho we are dedicated to ensuring that every visit to our Vancouver orthodontist office is as comfortable and safe as possible. We understand that many of our new patients may be nervous or anxious about their first orthodontist visit. To ease your mind, we’ve created a breakdown of what you can expect for your first appointment.
After first filling out mandatory new patient forms, your orthodontist will carefully examine your teeth in order to determine prospective treatment solutions. Typically, you will need photographs, X-rays and models for a final analysis and orthodontics plan.
On your first visit, it’s a good idea to have the following questions in mind:
- Do I have any orthodontic problems with my teeth?
- If so, what are these problems?
- What should I do in order to correct these problems?
- Will I need to extract any teeth?
- When should I begin my orthodontic treatment?
- What will my teeth look like at the end of treatment?
- How much money will orthodontics cost?
- Do I have any payment plans or insurance available?
- What if I do not undergo orthodontic treatment?
After your teeth have been analyzed, it is always a good idea to discuss with your orthodontist the treatment plan in more detail. This may require a second consultation appointment. If your orthodontic treatment plan sounds like a good idea, you can schedule an appointment right away.
Contact us today to schedule your first orthodontic consultation at HGS Ortho.
Read More
Our Locations
Connect With Us
