Invisalign
Invisalign is a system that will give you beautiful, straight teeth without the discomfort and appearance of traditional braces.
Customized plastic trays, called aligners, are used to bring your teeth into the correct alignment gently. Invisalign can correct most problems that traditional braces can fix from crooked teeth to issues with your bite.
The aligners are worn at night and throughout the day and are only removed for eating. They are virtually invisible, and most people will never know that you are wearing them.
Invisalign is available for both teenagers and adults. Average treatment lasts for about twelve months, but every plan is personalized for the individual patient so that yours may be longer or shorter. We will work with you to create your customized plan and keep you informed of the progress you are making.
Why Invisalign?
Invisalign has numerous advantages over traditional braces:
- Traditional braces require frequent appointments to tighten the wires and check the condition of the braces. With Invisalign, you just switch to the next set of aligners, which are created according to the order of treatment laid out by you and your dentist.
- Braces can leave permanent marks on your teeth from the brackets. Even with good oral hygiene habits, plaque can still gather around the brackets and cause damage to the enamel of your teeth.
- Invisalign allows you to eat any foods you want without the restrictions on sticky or crunchy foods that are known for damaging the wires and brackets of traditional braces.
- The wires of traditional braces can poke at your mouth and cause pain and even injury. A broken wire often means an additional visit to your dentist or orthodontist.
Who Is a Candidate for Invisalign?
Are you concerned about crooked teeth? Do you have a prominent overbite or underbite?
Invisalign can treat these common problems and many others including:
- Protruding teeth
- Wide gaps
- Unusual spacing
- Crowding
- Open bite
- Crossbite
Caring for Invisalign
Practicing good oral hygiene habits during Invisalign treatment is easy. Remove the aligners and brush and floss your teeth as usual. Brush your aligner and rinse with warm water or use the Invisalign cleaning kit to keep your aligners in good shape and free from bacteria.
Never use hot water to rinse or clean your aligners. The plastic could warp. If this happens, call our office immediately. You should also call our office if you crack or damage your aligner in any other way. A cracked aligner will not correctly move your teeth, and it will actually impede your progress.
It’s important to always brush your teeth following a meal and before you replace your aligners. If you replace your aligners without brushing, not only could you cause bacteria to become trapped against your teeth, you could also cause staining and other damage to the aligners.
Please contact our office to find out more information. We are happy to schedule a consultation appointment so you can find out whether Invisalign is a good option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The appropriate treatment for your gum disease will vary depending on how far your disease has progressed and any contributing factors such as hygiene and other health conditions. Some of the treatments recommended for gum disease include:
- An increased dedication to excellent oral hygiene
- Antimicrobial rinses and other products
- An antibiotic medication that is placed in the gum pockets
- Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing)
- Laser therapy
- Gum surgery
We will discuss your situation with you and recommend the treatment that we believe will be the most appropriate for your unique needs.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Jena Hauswirth
Dr. Jena Hauswirth is an area native who grew up on a farm near Havelock. She graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in biology before attending dental school at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics.
Since being a dental student, Dr. Hauswirth knew she wanted her own practice. She has thoroughly enjoyed preparing and working to make The Dental Loft become a reality.
Staying on the cutting edge of dental technology and techniques is of utmost importance to Dr. Hauswirth. She ensures this by taking continuing ...
Featured Blog Posts - Invisalign
Straight Talk About Invisalign
Looking for a minimally invasive way to improve your smile? A great option for many patients is Invisalign. Invisalign, called “clear braces” by some, is a treatment which moves teeth using a series of removeable, clear aligner trays. Average treatment time is 9 months and can be used to correct crowding, close spaces, improve bite, and set teeth in a more favorable position prior to other cosmetic treatment, such as veneers.
In our office, patients interested in Invisalign are given a complementary 3D scan using our iTero and evaluation, allowing Dr. Hauswirth with map ...
Invisalign Technology
iTero Digital Scanner
Our iTero scanner digitally captures images of the teeth and gum tissue. This allows for models of teeth to be made without goopy impression material. Making impressions digitally allows for less gagging, more patient comfort and less time spent in the dental chair. We use iTero scans for having crowns made, Invisalign treatment, Perio Protect trays, bruxism guards, and other restorative procedures. We also routinely make digital scans in order to monitor tooth wear and other concerns.