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 improves how your smile looks and helps protect against tooth decay and disease. Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean too. 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 feel 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?
For the best results, you should wear your clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day. The only times you should take them out are when you’re eating, drinking anything besides water, and brushing your teeth.
Think of it like this: if you wear them less, your teeth won’t move as planned, which can pause your progress and make your overall treatment time longer. Consistency is the most important part of making sure you finish on schedule and get the smile you want.
Is Treatment with Invisalign Painful?
Invisalign isn’t painful, but it does involve some pressure. When you switch to a new set of aligners every one to two weeks, you’ll likely feel a pressing sensation on your teeth for the first day or two. This is actually a good sign. It means the aligners are working and gently moving your teeth into their new position.
Any discomfort is usually mild and fades quickly. It’s definitely far less than the irritation from the wires and brackets of traditional braces.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
No, you should always take your aligners out to eat. But this does mean that you don’t have any food restrictions. You can enjoy all your favorite crunchy or sticky foods without worry.
Just remember to brush your teeth thoroughly before you put the aligners back in. If you don’t, food particles can get trapped against your teeth. This increases your risk for cavities and staining the aligners themselves.
How Long Does it Take for Teeth to Set After Invisalign?
After your Invisalign treatment is complete, your teeth aren’t fully stable yet. The bones and ligaments around your teeth need time to solidify and hold them in their new positions. During this critical period, you’ll need to wear a retainer full-time as directed by your dentist.
If you skip wearing your retainer, your teeth will slowly and naturally start to shift back. You risk undoing all the hard work and investment of your treatment.
Is it Common to Lose Weight While Wearing Invisalign?
It’s not guaranteed, but some people do have weight loss as a side effect. Because you have to remove the aligners to eat or drink anything besides water, you might find yourself snacking less often and avoiding sugary sodas and coffees throughout the day.
This reduction in mindless snacking and high-calorie drinks can cause healthier habits. Some patients have reported losing 10 or more pounds over the course of their treatment.
Can I use Toothpaste to Clean my Invisalign?
It’s better to avoid most toothpastes for cleaning your aligners. Many toothpastes contain abrasive agents that are great for cleaning teeth but can create scratches on the clear plastic aligners.
Instead, gently brush your aligners daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, antibacterial soap. For a deeper clean, you can also use a special denture cleaner by soaking them as instructed. Always rinse them with cool water before putting them back in your mouth.
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.