Do you want a straighter smile? Are you tired of your crooked teeth? Invisalign may offer 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 option is discreet as it is virtually invisible.
Dr. Joseph A. Catanzano III, DDS, offers Invisalign treatment to patients in Washington, D.C. Straightening crooked teeth not only improves the cosmetic appearance 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 dentistry service that Dr. Cantanzano provides to the public.
Why Straighten Crooked Teeth?
When people come into our office complaining of crooked teeth, it’s usually due to the aesthetic look of them. 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. In some cases, even our specialized dental tools can’t get into these tight spaces. 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 that are aligned properly, the pressure of your bite evenly distributes throughout all of 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 due to the extra pressure they take on.
An uneven bite is one of the leading causes of TMJ disorders. The jaw joint doesn’t move smoothly because the bite isn’t aligned, wearing it down. The muscles that work to help move your jaw become strained. It causes pain and tension throughout your face, head, and neck. You may experience popping and clicking when you’re using your jaw and it can impair jaw function. Your jaw 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 require 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. There are certain foods that you can’t eat 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. There 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 also can just keep your same oral healthcare routine. There’s no need to learn new techniques.
Treatment with Invisalign in Washington D.C.
Dr. Catanzano will discuss your oral health, budget, and goals with you to determine if Invisalign is the right treatment for you. To begin the process, a mold of your teeth will be made for your first custom aligner. Each aligner will be worn and then switched to a slightly different aligner after a couple of weeks.
The clear aligners are changed every two weeks as teeth shift. Treatment with Invisalign is highly customized to each patient because each aligner is mapped out to conform to teeth as they shift. Depending on your individual needs, Invisalign treatment can last from six months to twelve or eighteen months.
Invisalign FAQs
Learn the answers to frequently asked questions about Invisalign:
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 does not 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 10–15 pounds while using Invisalign aligners due to 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 & Invisalign Consultation
Do you want to straighten crooked teeth quickly and effectively? Try Invisalign. You can contact Foxhall Smiles for Invisalign treatment today at 202-315-2188. You may also schedule a consultation with Dr. Catanzano today. Patients who have any questions about Invisalign or any of our other dental services can ask a member of our dental team for clarification. Our team is friendly and willing to help.