Do you want a straighter smile? Are you tired of your crooked teeth? Invisalign might be the solution you need.
Invisalign is a more comfortable alternative to traditional orthodontics that uses clear plastic aligners instead of metal brackets. These aligners move and shift teeth over time to create the proper adjustments. This treatment is also discreet and virtually invisible.
Dr. Joseph Catanzano offers Invisalign treatment to patients in Washington, DC. Straightening crooked teeth not only improves the look of your smile but also helps protect against tooth decay and gum disease. A properly aligned smile is easier to clean than a misaligned one. Invisalign is a cosmetic dental service that we provide at Foxhall Smiles.
Why Straighten Crooked Teeth?
When people come into our office talking about crooked teeth, it’s usually because they don’t like how it looks. They’re jumbled and messy, sometimes making you insecure about your smile. But crooked teeth aren’t just a cosmetic problem. They can also have big impacts on your oral health.
Crooked teeth are harder to clean than straight teeth. They’re cramped and overlap each other at odd angles. It’s difficult to get a toothbrush and dental floss into these areas. Even our specialized dental tools can’t get into these tight spaces sometimes. Even if you’re doing everything right with oral care, plaque and tartar can build up in these places. You’re at a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease because of it.
Crooked teeth also give you an uneven bite. When you bite down with straight teeth, the pressure of your bite evenly distributes evenly across all your teeth. With crooked teeth, some teeth take on more of that pressure than others. Those teeth wear down faster and are more likely to break or chip because of the extra pressure they take on.
An uneven bite is also one of the leading causes of TMJ disorders. The jaw joint doesn’t move smoothly because the uneven bite wears it down. The muscles that work to help move your jaw become strained and cause pain and tension throughout your face, head, and neck. You may also experience popping and clicking when you’re using your jaw, it might get stuck in place, and it can be hard to open and close it.
Benefits of Invisalign
Compared to traditional metal braces, Invisalign is often a faster and more comfortable treatment option. Metal braces can pinch the gum tissue surrounding teeth and the metal brackets and wires can rub against the soft tissues of your lips and cheeks. Invisalign uses a plastic that doesn’t irritate the soft tissues in your mouth. It doesn’t pinch or cause painful rubbing against your lips when you’re wearing it.
Invisalign is also a faster treatment option than metal braces. Usually, braces need years of treatment, while the average time of treatment with Invisalign is a year or less.
They’re less noticeable, too. Even with ceramic brackets, they’re still raised off of the teeth and it’s easier to spot them. With Invisalign, it’s hard for people to tell that you have it in your mouth unless they’re explicitly looking for it. You can feel comfortable and confident showing off your smile.
With metal braces, it’s necessary that you follow a strict diet. You can’t eat certain foods because they may get stuck in the braces or break the wires that connect the brackets. It can be frustrating when you have to get rid of some of your favorite foods.
It’s harder to clean around metal braces too. Braces are complex orthodontic systems in your mouth that weren’t there before. You have to learn different techniques and sometimes use special tools to ensure that you clean your teeth properly. If you don’t, you can have noticeable staining when you get your braces off. The area where your brackets were is a lighter shade than the rest of your teeth.
With Invisalign, you take your aligners out to eat and perform your oral healthcare routine. You don’t have to remove any foods from your diet because they won’t damage your aligners. You can also just keep your same oral healthcare routine, and won’t need to learn new techniques.
Patient Review
Treatment with Invisalign in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Catanzano is excited to offer Invisalign to straighten your teeth without the look or feel of traditional braces. Dr. Catanzano will sit down with you to talk about your smile goals, budget, and lifestyle to see if Invisalign is the right fit. Here’s a step-by-step look at what your Invisalign journey will look like:
- Consultation and Custom Plan: Dr. Catanzano will check your oral health, chat about your goals, and create a personalized treatment plan just for you. Using 3D imaging, we’ll map out exactly how your teeth will move and even show you a sneak peek of your future smile. Every aligner is custom-made to fit your teeth perfectly and guide them into place.
- Getting Your Custom Aligners: Once your plan is ready, we’ll take a digital scan or mold of your teeth to create your first set of clear aligners. These aligners are smooth, comfy plastic that’s practically invisible when you wear them. You’ll wear each set for about two weeks. Little by little, your teeth will start shifting into their new positions.
- Wearing and Changing Aligners: You’ll wear your aligners 20–22 hours a day, switching to a new set every two weeks. Each aligner is slightly different so it can gently nudge your teeth into place. The best part is that you can take them out to eat, drink, brush, and floss. You don’t have to worry about food restrictions or struggling to clean your teeth.
- Monitoring Progress: Throughout your treatment, you’ll pop into our office every so often so Dr. Catanzano can check your progress and make sure everything’s on track. These visits are quick and easy, and they’re a great time to ask any questions or share concerns.
- Enjoying Your New Smile: Depending on your needs, Invisalign treatment usually takes 6 to 18 months. You’ll get custom retainers to keep your teeth in their new and perfectly aligned positions. And just like that, you’ll have a straighter and healthier smile you’ll love showing off!
Invisalign FAQs
Learn the answers to frequently asked questions about Invisalign below.
How Long Should I Wear the Clear Aligners Each Day?
The Invisalign clear aligners should be worn for about 20 to 22 hours daily. Dr. Catanzano will review your daily use of the aligners and their care. If you’re not wearing the aligners for the needed amount of time, it will delay your treatment.
Is Treatment with Invisalign Painful?
Invisalign treatment is no more painful than traditional braces. You may feel some mild pressure or discomfort as you adjust to each new aligner, but this discomfort will fade as your teeth adjust.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
Invisalign doesn’t require any dietary restrictions because you can remove the clear aligners to eat. Be sure you brush and floss your teeth before wearing the aligners again to keep them fresh and clean.
How Long Does it Take for Teeth to Set After Invisalign?
To keep your teeth in their new positions after you stop using Invisalign, you’ll need to use orthodontic retainers. Teeth require 9–12 months to become fully stabilized by bone and are less likely to shift post-treatment. We recommend wearing retainers during this period to prevent any shifting.
Is it Common to Lose Weight While Wearing Invisalign?
Patients who use Invisalign are more likely to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as cutting down on sugary drinks and increasing water consumption, which can lead to weight loss. Many patients have reported losing 10 to 15 pounds while using Invisalign aligners because of the healthy habits that it encourages.
Can I use Toothpaste to Clean my Invisalign?
You may use mild toothpaste and a toothbrush mixture to clean your aligner. Brush the aligner softly and with care using a toothbrush with extremely soft bristles. Denture cleanser may also be used to clean Invisalign aligners.
Request a Dental Exam Today
Contact Foxhall Smiles for Invisalign treatment today at 202-315-2188. You can also schedule a consultation online anytime. If you have any questions about Invisalign or any of our dental services, feel free to ask our team for more information. Our friendly team is here to help.