When patients come to us here at Ossi Orthodontics asking for orthodontic treatment, many are interested in clear aligners like Invisalign. And for good reason! Invisalign is one of the most popular treatments in the country, and it works great for many orthodontic cases.
And that might include you! Dr. Alan R. Ossi is an expert in orthodontic care, and, in fact, he’s one of only 33% of all practicing orthodontists in the nation who has taken the time to go above and beyond by receiving board certification from the American Board of Orthodontics. That means you can be confident when he tells you that Invisalign can give you the smile you’ve been dreaming of without all the hassles associated with traditional braces.
But how does it work? And what do I need to do to ensure my treatment goes as smoothly as possible? Read on to learn 5 keys to creating a beautiful smile with aligners!
What is Invisalign, anyway?
Great question! Invisalign is an advanced set of clear aligning trays that fit snugly over your teeth and gently move them into the proper position. Much like traditional bracketed braces, they can take anywhere from a few months to a year or so to render a full course of treatment.
Also, like traditional braces, they are prescribed and administered by a trained orthodontist (or at least, they should be!).
While it might be true that any doctor or dentist could technically provide Invisalign treatment, the fact is that you’re much better off seeing a specialist like Dr. Alan R. Ossi of Ossi Orthodontics. He has the experience and offers the latest in cutting-edge imaging. In fact, not only do we provide Invisalign, but Ossi Orthodontics has the latest in 3D printing tech if you’d rather use our in-house aligners (so you get your devices fast!). If you’d rather go with Invisalign, that should take between 3-4 weeks of your initial scan to get started.
How does Invisalign work?
To start with, you’ll come into Ossi Orthodontics for a free consultation. Then, Dr. Ossi and our skilled team will leverage the latest imaging technology to take a detailed scan of your teeth and jaw, at which point he will determine if Invisalign is right for you.
Isn’t Invisalign only for mild cases?
Nope! While every smile is different, and there are cases in which traditional metal braces may be more appropriate, Invisalign is much more flexible than many think. It can be used to treat both moderate and complex cases.
Invisalign has been around for over 20 years. Thousands of case studies of missing teeth, extractions, bad bites, and more have been successfully treated with Invisalign!
I’m cleared for treatment: now what?
Now Dr. Ossi will order your first set of Invisalign trays or print your in-house aligners, and your treatment can get started! He’s developed an individual treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcome for your treatment. After about three to four weeks, you’ll switch to a new set of aligners, making tiny micro-adjustments to your teeth, bringing them closer and closer to your perfect smile!
The process will repeat every 1-2 weeks for an average of 9-15 months, and then you’ll be finished! Without further ado, here are five tips for creating a beautiful smile with Invisalign!
#1 – Wear Your Aligners!
This may seem obvious, but since they’re removable, it’s up to you to wear your Invisalign trays faithfully. Dr. Ossi will instruct you to wear your Invisalign aligners 22 hours per day and only remove them for mealtime, cleaning, and any sports or extracurricular activities, such as specific wind instruments.
#2 – Keep Your Appointments!
Just like with the first tip, it’s up to you to meet with Dr. Ossi regularly and receive your new trays. You won’t have to come in for every new aligner set, but you will have to follow the schedule he gives you. Keep it up!
#3 – Alleviate Discomfort From New Aligners
While everyone here at Ossi Orthodontics will work hard to ensure your Invisalign trays fit as comfortably as possible, some discomfort is possible as you adjust to your new fit. You can minimize this by avoiding crunchy foods when you notice discomfort. Switching to a new set of trays just before bedtime will allow your teeth to adjust to the new aligners while you sleep!
If necessary, you can always take over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil or ice your gums to help.
#4 – Hold On To Your Old Aligners
It’s usually best to keep your last set of aligners to wear if you lose or break your current set. That way, you’ll have something handy to fill in while you wait for a replacement set. The previous set will ensure your teeth aren’t free to shift back to their original positions while you wait.
#5 – Keep Up Great Oral Health Habits
This one should be obvious, but you’ll want to maintain healthy brushing and flossing habits. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that, unlike with traditional brackets, you won’t have to learn a new way to brush!
Follow these tips, and you will surely have a great experience with Invisalign!
Give us a call!
Thanks so much for taking the time to learn all about creating your beautiful Ossi Ortho smile! Everyone here at Ossi Orthodontics feels privileged to serve the people of Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and the surrounding areas, and that means you!
Consultations are always 100% free of charge, so there’s no need to hesitate. Give us a call or stop in, and let’s see what your smile can do!
