Patients at Prostho Endo Dental Group enjoy the benefits of a clear aligner treatment with Invisalign that is both invisible and comfortable as teeth are aligned, and the health and function of their smile is enhanced. As with other complex restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic treatments at Prostho Endo Dental Group, Invisalign is carefully considered, planned, and implemented with attention to the details that can make a significant difference to the outcome.
For North Bethesda, MD, patients looking for straighter teeth with less of a reminder that they are undergoing treatment and fewer restrictions to their lifestyle, a clear aligner treatment with Invisalign can be a highly desirable option. The alignment of one’s teeth has far-reaching consequences for the health and well-being of teeth, the bite, the jaw joints, restorations, and the future of a patient’s teeth.
Straightening Teeth With Invisalign®
Invisalign treatments use a series of clear, custom-made aligners, or trays, that are made to fit each patient. In a series of different aligners, the patient wears each tray for a determined amount of time before being fitted for the next set, allowing teeth to move progressively with careful planning at predetermined stages, moving each tooth individually.
Invisalign treatments tend to be very comfortable for patients, and many find them much more manageable than the braces treatment, in no small part because of the fact that the clear aligners can be removed when eating, drinking, or flossing, and they don’t interfere with speaking to other people. Invisalign aligner treatments at Prostho Endo Dental Group are not seen as a way to straighten a smile and finish.
Rather, as with every other procedure at Prostho Endo Dental Group, the Invisalign aligner treatment is planned in the broadest context of a patient’s overall oral health, taking into account the condition of each tooth, the gum support of each tooth, the health of the bite, and the condition of any previous restorations, all of which need to be taken into consideration to maximize the success of an Invisalign treatment and to maximize the long term stability of the bite once a patient has finished the treatment.
Digital Planning To Determine Optimal Outcome
Digital planning is essential to a successful Invisalign treatment. Invisalign treatment begins with digital photographs, digital x-rays, and digital impressions of teeth, providing an accurate 3D map that can help our doctors map out the most appropriate treatment plan to achieve a desired result. Using digital planning, our doctors are able to help you understand exactly what treatment is intended to do before we even make your aligners.
This planning also allows our doctors to determine in advance if the patient is truly an appropriate candidate for Invisalign treatment or if other procedures may be indicated first or concomitantly to orthodontic treatment, such as restorative dentistry, periodontal treatment, or the adjustment of the bite in advance of aligner treatment. By careful planning, Prostho Endo Dental Group can help to determine and avoid potential obstacles to treatment, reducing the possibility of any complications during an Invisalign treatment plan.
Esthetic & Functional Goals For A Beautiful, Healthy Smile
An even smile is aesthetically pleasing, but it is important for the function of teeth as well as for the aesthetics of teeth. When teeth are crowded, rotated, or otherwise out of line or out of position, they can be difficult to clean effectively, leading to increased potential for trapping food or plaque and to increased susceptibility to tooth decay. Bite problems, such as teeth that do not meet correctly or bite prematurely on one side of the mouth compared to the other, may also cause stress to individual teeth, restorations, and the joints of the jaw that the teeth attach to.
Teeth that come together properly help the teeth to share chewing forces evenly and to help protect the long-term stability of restorations. These considerations are essential for patients with crowns, bridges, implants, porcelain veneers, or any complicated history of dental work in their mouth. Invisalign aligners help to optimize the esthetic and functional qualities of a person’s teeth while providing long-term function, ease of cleaning, and comfort for the patient and their dentist.
Invisalign® Treatments For The Adult Patient
Many adults are interested in aligning their teeth with an Invisalign treatment, but may not be comfortable with traditional braces. Clear aligner treatments are a perfect fit for many adult patients who want the most discreet form of orthodontic treatment that is also convenient enough to be compatible with their lifestyle and responsibilities in their family or career, as aligners are removable for eating, cleaning of teeth, and for any special occasion where patients would like to have no reminder that they are having orthodontic treatment.
For adult patients who are considering Invisalign treatment, there are many other considerations to keep in mind and to be planned for. Your teeth may have old restorations, have undergone root canal treatment in the past, may have receding gums, may show signs of wear, or may be missing. Prostho Endo Dental Group offers a broader view for Invisalign treatment in North Bethesda, MD, before recommending that a patient’s teeth move.
This perspective is especially helpful to patients who desire esthetic, restorative, or full-mouth rehabilitative care from an office knowledgeable in all forms of dental treatment.
Invisalign® Can Correct Crowding, Spacing, & Bite Problems
Depending on the needs of each patient and the extent of dental alignment problems, Invisalign treatment may help to fix mild to moderate crowding, spacing, rotation, and some bite issues. At our initial visit, we’ll explain whether clear aligners are a viable solution for your particular concerns, as well as any other treatments that may help you achieve the ideal dental and facial appearance. Patients may ask our team about Invisalign as a way to treat:
- Teeth that appear crowded or crooked in a patient’s smile,
- Gaps or spaces between teeth on a patient’s smile,
- Teeth and/or the bite that don’t fit together in a way that doesn’t create unnecessary pressure on certain teeth,
- Teeth that don’t align properly, making it difficult to brush and floss effectively,
- Teeth that have moved as a result of orthodontic treatment in the past.
As each smile is different, the treatment plan is formulated following a very specific treatment recommendation from our office.
Monitoring Patient Progress With Technology
Invisalign treatment is only successful if the teeth are consistently tracked with appropriate care and monitoring. Patients wear their aligners for a prescribed length of time before switching to the subsequent aligner(s). During treatment at Prostho Endo Dental Group, the team monitors the patient’s progress, confirming the teeth are being moved in a way that meets the patient’s goals and that the clear aligners fit comfortably on the teeth.
We recognize the importance that dental technology can make to orthodontic care, but we also understand the importance of clinical evaluation by our dental team throughout Invisalign treatment. If your teeth are not being repositioned in the way our team had planned, we may ask to make a change. We also make a point to check your bite, oral hygiene status, and comfort during Invisalign treatment.
Through regular follow-up care with our team, we ensure your treatment plan moves forward in the way you need while giving you reassurance that you are receiving quality attention during your clear aligner treatment.
Orthodontics As Part Of Your Full-Mouth Rehabilitative Plan
At times, Invisalign treatment for teeth movement is part of a larger effort to rebuild, restore, or improve the full smile. We may want to correct the alignment of your teeth as part of your full-mouth rehab, as we will want your teeth to be properly positioned before we can begin your dental restorations or implants. Straightening and repositioning your teeth may provide more room, correct the bite, or otherwise help ensure the best outcome from other dental work.
We appreciate that Prostho Endo Dental Group’s full-service dentistry is so useful when patients desire to treat their alignment issues as part of their overall dental treatment plan. Since the practice is a provider of advanced restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic care, we can help plan orthodontic treatment with your ultimate restorative care in mind. Rather than focusing just on aligning your teeth, our team thinks about how your teeth will move as well as the effect that will have on other dental work and your overall oral health and function.
Preserving Your Results After Invisalign® Treatment
When Invisalign treatment ends, retainers must be worn to protect your investment. It’s common for teeth to move, especially without proper retention. Our team helps educate you on how you can use retainers to maintain your alignment after treatment.
You must also maintain the best oral hygiene and regular dental care to preserve the results of your treatment. Regular dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, and bite monitoring help keep Invisalign teeth straight. At Prostho Endo Dental Group, we’ll continue caring for you following your orthodontic therapy so you can maintain a beautiful, functional smile.