Invisalign is a transparent aligner system that gradually shifts crooked teeth into a straighter position. Patients who require orthodontic treatment but don’t want metal braces benefit from clear braces in our Towson, MD office. Clear braces are cosmetic dental treatments that offer discreet care.
They are comfortable to wear and do not disrupt daily routines because they are removable. Unlike traditional metal braces, patients do not need to brush or floss around their braces to clean their smiles. Clear braces benefit patients with mild to moderate orthodontic needs who want straighter, more balanced smiles.
Treatment with Clear Aligners in Towson, MD
Dr. Diacoloukas plans treatment with clear braces by taking digital X-rays and scans of the smile. He will take X-rays to view the bite, taking note of crooked teeth, misalignment, and a bite imbalance. Then, he uses scanning technology to take digital images of the smile.
These images are converted to 3-D digital models, where patients can see their projected results. Dr. Diacoloukas sends the digital images to an Invisalign lab, where technicians create a series of custom aligners.
These aligners are made of clear, ultra-thin plastic and fabricated to reduce irritation to the mouth’s soft tissues.
We recommend patients wear their aligners for twenty to twenty-two hours daily. Patients can keep their aligners in their cases when removing them to eat and drink. Soaking the aligners in a dissolvable cleaner will remove bacteria from the aligners and keep them fresh.
Real Patient, Real Results
This patient had crooked laterals that were undersized and had spacing issues. The patient went through clear braces, bleaching, and then bonding on lateral incisors to make the shape more pleasing.
Clear Aligners Q&A
If you have more questions about treatment with clear braces, we will answer some of the most common questions that our patients have below:
Can I eat with my aligners?
No, we do not recommend that patients eat with aligners on their teeth. Patients can easily remove their aligners to eat and drink. Patients can easily clean their teeth and gums without braces to impede their toothbrush and floss. Removing the aligners to eat and drink beverages other than water also prevents staining and damage to the aligners.
How long is Invisalign treatment?
Treatment time will vary from patient to patient, depending on how long they wear their aligners and how they care for their aligners. Because patients with milder orthodontic needs may not require as much time to straighten their teeth, clear braces will have shorter treatment times than traditional braces.
Do you wear your aligners to sleep?
You will wear clear aligners during sleep because you must wear them for at least twenty hours daily. We will not recommend clear braces for patients who experience nightly teeth clenching and grinding because they need to wear them to bed. Bruxism will damage the aligners and impact the effectiveness of treatment.
Straighten Your Smile
Do you need to address crooked teeth but don’t want to use metal brackets and wires? Contact Dr. Diacoloukas for treatment today at 443-282-3641 or schedule your next dental appointment on our website. If you have any remaining questions about clear braces, please get in touch with our office. We will be happy to assist you.