Aging and the Human Dentition
As dentists we are spending a lot of our time trying to maintain the teeth and gums long past their historical expiry date. Orthodontic treatment is on way to help the teeth stay in the mouth for the long term.
Learn more about Invisalign clear aligners by reading the answers to our most frequently asked questions from the Penticton Dental Centre in South Okanagan.
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions.
Invisalign clear aligners are a series of clear, custom fitted aligners that straighten your teeth without the use of metal wires or brackets.
During the consultation process, we use advanced 3D computer imaging technology to create a treatment plan based on your unique smile.
A series of custom clear aligners will be designed to fit your teeth precisely during each stage of the Invisalign treatment process.
The Invisalign aligners are BPA free and are made with USP Class VI medical-grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins.
Invisalign aligners are:
Invisalign's clear plastic aligners are designed to move your teeth in small increments as your treatment progresses. Each aligner will be worn for about two weeks before it is replaced by the next one in the series.
This process will continue until your teeth are in the corrected positions.
The duration of your Invisalign treatment will be determined by your dentist based on your specific needs.
Factors that may determine the length of your treatment include the shape of your bite, the misalignment of your teeth or jaw, and the amount of movement required to correct the problem.
Invisalign can fit very comfortably into your day-to-day life.
You can remove your aligners whenever you need to eat, which means absolutely no dietary restrictions. Also, you can brush and floss your teeth regularly.
Since Invisalign aligners require no adjustments or tightening – you just switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks – your dentist will schedule brief appointments with you every four to six weeks.
During these appointments, your dentist will review your progress and general oral health, answer any questions you may have, and make adjustments to your treatment as required.
Cost will depend on the severity of your case and duration of your treatment. For instance, the more severe the misalignment of your teeth, the more aligners you'll need and the more your treatment will cost.
In many cases, the cost of Invisalign is comparable to that of traditional braces.
You can remove your Invisalign aligners when you eat. Therefore, there are no dietary restrictions when it comes to Invisalign, so you can continue to eat all the foods you love!
We recommend removing them when you consume beverages such as wine, coffee, or dark soda beverages, to avoid staining your clear aligners.
This will depend on the severity of your misalignment. Your dentist can give you an accurate estimate, during your initial consultation, of how long your treatment will take, based on a careful evaluation of your bite.
Yes! Anyone who has healthy teeth and gums is a potential candidate for Invisalign.
More and more adults are deciding to undergo orthodontic treatment these days, in large part because options like Invisalign have become available.
Absolutely! In fact, Invisalign has created a line of aligners to meet the unique needs of teenagers.
Invisalign Teen aligners have compliance indicators on them (small blue dots that fade away after the aligners have been worn for two full weeks) to help teens stay on track with their treatment.
Invisalign Teen aligners also come with eruption tabs that provide space for second molars and prevent them from growing in crooked.
Most patients switch to their next set of aligners every two weeks or so. Your dentist will tell you exactly how often you should switch out your aligners.
Invisalign aligners are removable so you can play sports without worrying about causing damage to your aligners.
Keep in mind that your aligners must be kept in for a minimum of 22 hours a day, so plan your time carefully.
Orthodontic treatment can cause your teeth to loosen slightly as they shift into their new positions, making your teeth more susceptible to damage. You may also want to invest in a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth.
Yes! You can remove your aligners to practice playing your instrument, and put them back in when you're done.
Remember that your aligners must be kept in for a minimum of 22 hours a day, so plan your time carefully.
Your Invisalign aligners will come with a case, and this is where you should put your aligners whenever you take them out to keep them safe.
Get in touch. We'd be glad to answer any other questions you may have.
As dentists we are spending a lot of our time trying to maintain the teeth and gums long past their historical expiry date. Orthodontic treatment is on way to help the teeth stay in the mouth for the long term.
Is the mouth part of the body? Silly question of course. However, in Canada you could be forgiven if you weren’t sure, since dental care was excluded from the Medical Care Act of 1966.
Welcome to the brand new Penticton Dental Centre website! We look forward meeting you and your family, and helping you along the path to great oral health.
Contact the Penticton Dental team today, and get your family on the path to life-long oral health.
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