Invisalign Clear Aligners Greenwood Village

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign uses clear plastic trays that apply gentle pressure to your teeth. Customized based on digital impressions, they are crafted to guide your smile through the process, each with a different shape. When these trays are worn 20-22 hours each day for 1-2 weeks at a time, you will begin to notice a gradual change in the way your teeth and bite align, creating a more visually pleasing aesthetic and healthier smile.

Who is a Good Candidate for Invisalign Clear Aligners?

When meeting with Dr. Jenkins or another member of our team for a consultation, we will closely examine your smile to determine if Invisalign is the right option for you. We will be looking at:

• The severity of your misalignment. Generally, Invisalign produces successful results when treating mild to moderate misalignment cases. If we find that your situation is too severe for Invisalign, we may suggest that you receive traditional metal braces.
• How committed you are to the process. The only way to determine this is through an honest and open conversation. You must be committed to the process, which requires that you wear your trays 22 hours a day and be responsible when caring for your aligners, being careful not to lose one and delay treatment.
• Why you prefer Invisalign. In most cases, the primary reason patients choose Invisalign is because of its discreetness. The clear plastic trays allow for a more subtle form of orthodontic treatment, which can be essential for self-conscious teens and working professionals.
• Whether you need additional treatment. Before starting with Invisalign, we must determine if you have any signs of decay or gum disease. If so, we will address these issues first so that your smile is healthy when starting orthodontic treatment.

Conditions Addressed by Invisalign

Invisalign is a versatile orthodontic solution that can treat an array of problems, some of which include:

• Overcrowding: When teeth sit too close together, they can become crowded. This crowding makes it difficult to keep smiles clean and free from cavities and disease. Invisalign can create space to improve function, aesthetics, and overall oral health.
• Gapped Teeth: When too much space exists between teeth, bacteria and food particles can become trapped. To avoid potential gum disease and tooth decay, we can use Invisalign to close the gap(s) and lower the risk of oral health issues down the road.
• Bite Misalignment: Most bite misalignment issues (i.e., open bite, crossbite, underbite, and overbite) can make eating, speaking, and even breathing difficult over time. To address these issues and prevent worsening symptoms, Invisalign can be used to shift teeth in the proper direction so they will align accordingly and produce a more fluid and functional bite.

Benefits of Invisalign

• Invisalign aligners are made of BPA-free plastic that are custom designed to fit over your teeth. They are barely noticeable, allowing you to feel less self-conscious while you straighten your smile.
• Often, metal braces can cause quite a bit of discomfort and irritation to your gums. The smooth plastic of Invisalign aligners is much gentler on your lips and gums throughout treatment.
• Invisalign aligners can be easily removed during meals and while brushing and flossing. This system is much simpler than traditional braces and allows you to continue your standard hygiene practices while in treatment.

Caring for Invisalign Aligners

Making sure your aligners remain clean and intact is key to successful treatment. To achieve this, you’ll need to:

• Clean your trays regularly. Your aligners should be cleaned every morning and night using a soft-bristled toothbrush, clear soap, and lukewarm water. Hot water will cause them to warp and no longer fit correctly. It’s best to avoid toothpaste, as it can be abrasive and scratch your aligners.
• Rinse your trays. When taking out your trays to eat or drink, make sure to rinse them off. This ensures that they remain free of any harmful bacteria and dried saliva that might otherwise transfer to your teeth when you reinsert them.
• Let them soak. Once a week, make sure that you let your aligners soak in a denture solution. You can also use Invisalign Cleaning Crystals. This thorough cleaning helps reduce any potential odors that may be forming and clears away any additional bacteria that might be lingering. Just make sure that you rinse them off thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.
• Protect your aligners. Anytime you remove your aligners, make sure to place them in a protective case. It’s too easy to lay them down and accidentally lose them. They can also become damaged. By keeping them in a special case, you lower the risk of kids and pets getting a hold of them, and you won’t be tempted to wrap them in a napkin during lunch only for them to be thrown away during cleanup.