How We Treat Children with a Gap Between Teeth
A diastema, or gap between teeth, is usually a natural part of a child’s development. For many children, the gap between their two front teeth closes with the eruption of their canine teeth. But, other kids might need a little orthodontic help to close the gap once and for all.
Today, we’re diving into how we treat children with a gap between their teeth and discuss if treatment can be done without braces. (Spoiler Alert: It can!) Read on to find out how we can transform your child’s gaps into a healthy, beautiful smile.
Diastema Causes
Remember your child’s toothy grin as a toddler? Those gaps between baby teeth are completely normal as the jaw continues to develop. Issues arise, though, when the gaps persist despite adult teeth erupting.
Anatomy is to blame for many gaps. For instance, some children naturally have small teeth or a thick frenum (fancy for a lip or tongue tie) that may create gaps between the teeth.
Behaviors can also cause gaps between the teeth. If your child is prone to thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or poor dental hygiene, they’re more likely to need treatment for the gaps between their teeth down the road.
How We Treat Diastema
Timing is everything when it comes to determining the best type of treatment for your child, so the sooner your child can see an orthodontist at Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics the better. If you’re not sure when your child should see an orthodontist, find out the best age to start orthodontic treatment.
Fortunately, there are a few options when it comes to treating the gaps between your child’s teeth. Braces are the most common tool to correct large gaps between the teeth and can simultaneously correct other issues, like straightening teeth and correcting bites. Metal braces close the gaps in the mouth by adjusting the position of diastema teeth once the adult teeth have erupted.
How Long Does it Take to Get Braces?
Invisalign can be another option to consider for mild or moderate gaps. The clear, removable, custom-made aligners shift teeth in incremental steps to the final desired position for a healthier smile.
As mentioned previously, it is possible to correct a gap between teeth without using any form of braces. Depending on the size of the gap, removable appliances like retainers can slowly close gaps between your child’s teeth in mild cases. The downside of retainers, though, is that they only work if worn per the recommendations of your orthodontist. With regular use and cleaning, retainers are an excellent option to correct a gap between the teeth without braces.
. . .
If your child still has gaps between his or her teeth after adult teeth have come in, it’s time to consult our team of orthodontists at Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics. We help families find the right treatment plan for their lifestyles and budgets to help create a healthy, beautiful smile for life. Let us help you determine the best course of treatment for your child by scheduling a complimentary consultation at one of our seven Central Indiana offices today!
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How Long Does it Take to Get Braces?
Getting traditional braces is a rite of passage for many adults, teens, and children. It’s the start of their journey toward a beautiful, healthy smile! While getting braces is exciting for many kids, it’s important to properly prepare them for the process. There’s one question we commonly hear from children: how long does it take to get braces?
Today, we’ll break down the amount of time the appointment requires, in addition to providing an overview of the process.
How Long it Takes to Get Traditional Braces
First things first: traditional braces consist of metal brackets that are connected by a thin archwire. In regard to how long it takes to get braces, the actual application appointment usually takes about an hour for most patients.
At the appointment, one of our orthodontists will apply the brackets and wire to the teeth, which work together to push and pull teeth into the right alignment. The archwire uses ligatures (also known as elastics and o-rings) to connect to the brackets.
The elastics come in all kinds of fun colors that you can swap out at each appointment. Need some help selecting the right colors? Check out our blog post to find out what your braces colors may say about you!
How to Face the Holidays in Braces
Bone Remodeling Timeline
The initial application may only take about an hour, but the real magic takes place after the appointment. Through a process called bone remodeling, braces apply constant, gentle pressure against your teeth to encourage your bones to begin adapting and ultimately holding your teeth in their new alignment for the rest of your life.
Once your orthodontist determines that your teeth have moved into the correct spot, we give you retainers to hold the teeth in place while the bone tissue around your teeth and jaws fully adapts to the new tooth positions. With proper retainer wear, your new and improved smile will last you a lifetime!
It typically takes 3-5 days for the bone remodeling process to start once your traditional braces are in place. There may be some soreness in the first few days or even weeks as your teeth and jaw adjust to the new pressure inside your mouth. After the process gets started, it will take about three months to begin remodeling the bone, and it typically takes 1-3 years to fully stabilize the new bone and build your new smile.
Curious about all the ins and outs of how we put braces on? Read this blog post for all the details!
If you’re ready to start your own journey toward a straight, beautiful smile, our care team at Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics would love to help! Our team of professionals is ready to answer your questions and find the best treatment plan for you. Book your free consultation today!
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What is the Best Age to Get Braces?
You’re finally ready to take the plunge and get the beautiful, straight smile you’ve always wanted for your child (or yourself). You’ve researched how to find and choose the best orthodontist near you, tips for surviving your first week with braces, and even the process we use to put braces on your teeth. But, now that it’s time for a face-to-face consultation, you might be wondering: what is the best age to get braces?
It’s a question we hear often at Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics, and the answer is simple: although childhood is usually the ideal time, it’s never too late for braces! In fact, according to the American Academy of Orthodontics (AAO), one in five orthodontic patients is an adult.
But before we dive into braces for adults, let’s first discuss the ideal time for children and teens to receive braces.
Braces for Children and Teens
The AAO recommends that children should have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven, before all of the permanent teeth have erupted — because we can more easily treat most conditions the earlier we find them. If some of these issues are left untreated at a young age, they may require surgery or permanent tooth extractions later in life.
That being said, every child’s development varies and your orthodontist will recommend the right time frame to consider braces for your child. Many children become candidates for braces between the ages of 8 and 14.
How to Get Braces for Free
Braces for Adults
As for adults, properly aligned teeth are important at any age for optimal health, not just appearance. Well-aligned teeth are easier to clean and less susceptible to abnormal wear on the enamel, and a better bite allows you to eat better, speak more clearly, and maintain an overall healthier smile.
The growing number of options for braces, including Invisalign, makes orthodontic treatment for adults more popular. Fortunately, there’s no braces age limit, which means adults of any age can enjoy the benefits of braces!
If you’re still unsure of the best age to get braces, we can help. Our team of orthodontists work with patients of all ages to find the best solutions for their smiles. For more information on the best treatment plan for you, contact one of our offices today!
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Your Top 4 Questions on Retainers
Commonly used after Invisalign treatment ends or when braces are removed, retainers help hold the teeth in place in their new position. Because teeth are always shifting, a retainer helps maintain the new alignment and correct bite. Continue reading as we round up the top four questions on retainers and tell you everything you need to know about one of the most common orthodontic devices.
1. How to Clean Retainers?
A good rule of thumb is to brush your retainer every time you brush your teeth. However, in lieu of toothpaste, use only a toothbrush and cool water to clean your clear retainer. The abrasives in toothpaste will roughen the surface and make it look cloudy. For retainers with a wire, toothpaste is safe to use.
You should avoid mouthwash as it can breakdown the retainer, but consider soaking your retainers several times a week with a retainer cleaner or denture cleaner. Also, be sure to keep your case clean.
2. How Much Do Retainers Cost?
Because the role of retainers can vary, so does the cost. Plan on spending around $100 for each retainer.
Remember, the doctors at Gorman and Bunch Orthodontics do not want financing to be an obstacle to a beautiful smile. Our treatment coordinators will work with you to find a custom financing option that fits your unique situation!
How to Continue Improving Your Smile With Retainers
3. How Long Do You Have to Wear a Retainer?
Forever…or at least as long as your want to keep your teeth straight. Plan to wear them full-time for 10 weeks, and just at night after that.
Regardless of whether or not you’ve had orthodontic treatment, your teeth will tend to shift over time without a retainer, especially on the bottom. A bonded lower retainer (otherwise known as a permanent retainer) ensures that this doesn’t happen and is a wonderful option to keep your teeth aligned long-term.
4. How Do Retainers Work?
Upper retainers fit in the roof of the mouth and lower retainers can be removed or permanently attached to lower teeth. Removable retainers can be worn to close gaps or spaces between teeth, or to move a single tooth.
At Gorman and Bunch Orthodontics, we aim to provide each of our patients with a healthy, beautiful smile. Retainers are just one of the many tools available to make that happen. For more information on the best treatment plan for you, contact our office today!
Ready to schedule a free consultation?
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
After visiting the orthodontist for the first time, you may be wondering which treatment option to choose. At Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics, you have two main options: traditional braces and Invisalign. Braces include metal brackets and an archwire, while Invisalign straightens your teeth using a series of clear, customized and removable aligners.
Knowing how long Invisalign will take to transform your teeth into a beautiful smile may help guide your orthodontic decision. Below, we’ve outlined how long Invisalign takes to straighten your teeth and the step-by-step treatment process.
The Step-by-Step Invisalign Treatment Process
Before we divulge the time it takes for our Invisalign treatments to work, let’s first unpack the process we take with our Invisalign patients at each of our Central Indiana offices.
Creating a Treatment Plan
After coming in for an initial free consultation at our office, our staff first takes 3D scans of your smile in order to create a customized treatment plan just for you. With this scan, we then create a digital framework that displays how our entire treatment process will shift your teeth from your first set of aligners to your last.
How Invisalign Works for Crowded Teeth
Making Your Aligners
Using those 3D scans, we create a customized set of aligners out of medical-grade thermoplastic material. These clear and removable aligners replace the metal wires and brackets used with traditional braces and look virtually undetectable while in your mouth.
A Series of Aligners
You may be asking yourself now, “how does Invisalign work?” About every 12 weeks, you visit our office, and we give you a new set of aligners — designed to move your teeth in small increments into their desired place. During that visit, we take the time to ensure the aligners fit properly, answer any questions you may have, and offer some tips for caring for your aligners.
Each tray of aligners places small amounts of pressure on your teeth and shifts them about 1/10 mm every seven days. It may not sound like much. But if you take a selfie each week, you’ll definitely be able to see the changes over time until your treatment ends.
How to Clean Invisalign Aligners
Proper hygiene will help speed up the process of Invisalign treatment. You should remove your aligners and put them in your Invisalign case only when you eat, drink, brush or floss your teeth. You can also use Invisalign cleaner or any denture cleaner to soak your aligners whenever you take them out. Additionally, you can use Invisalign cleaning crystals in the form of dissolvable packets to prevent bad odors and stains from affecting your aligners.
Length of Treatment
And now the answer to what you really wanted to know: How long does Invisalign take? The length of Invisalign treatment varies from patient to patient and depends upon several different factors, including the severity of your case and how often you wear your aligners. We strongly recommend that you only take your aligners out to eat, brush and floss, which means you should be wearing your aligners for about 22 hours per day and changing to a new set each week.
If you stick to this plan, we estimate that most Invisalign cases take an average of 12-24 months. By sticking to your Invisalign treatment plan, you will see gradual progress each week.
At Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics, we are the #1 Invisalign doctors in the state of Indiana. To figure out if you’re the right candidate for Invisalign and to learn more about Invisalign cost, check out our Guide for How Invisalign Works for Your Family.
You can also reach out to us anytime. We’d love to walk you through the process, discuss Invisalign results and share Invisalign reviews and success stories with you from our wonderful patients.
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What Should You Do After Your Invisalign Treatment Ends?
It’s an exciting moment when you realize you are removing your very last set of Invisalign aligners and reveal your brand new smile, knowing you won’t be receiving another set of aligners at your next office visit. While your last set of aligners marks the end of your formal Invisalign treatment, there is a little bit more work to do in order to ensure your healthy smile lasts for a lifetime.
So what should you do after your Invisalign treatment ends? [sc_fs_faq sc_id=”fs_faqz3r6axbdl” html=”false” headline=”p” img=”” question=”What to do after Invisalign treatment ends?” img_alt=”” css_class=”” ]To keep your teeth in place after getting the smile you always wanted with Invisalign, it’s time to wear either a fixed or removable retainer for the rest of your life.[/sc_fs_faq]
The Retention Phase
After the orthodontic treatment phase, you enter the retention phase where we make sure your results last well beyond treatment. The retention phase incorporates the use of a retainer, which holds your teeth in their desired position over time, minimizing the risk for natural, age-related changes to your teeth. Retainers lessen the likelihood of your teeth drifting out of position by allowing your gums, bone and ligaments reorganize around your teeth after Invisalign.
Wearing a retainer after Invisalign helps ensure a long lasting, straight smile. Most patients start by wearing their retainers full time for a short period of time, and then transition to only wearing retainers at night — and in some cases eventually only a few nights per week. Each case varies, depending on your mouth and what our orthodontists recommend.
How to Care for Your Retainer
Retainer Options
While it may seem like a good idea to use your last Invisalign tray as your retainer, it simply does not work that way. Invisalign aligners are not designed for long-term use as they do not apply enough pressure to keep your teeth in the right position over a long period of time. Instead, there are two main types of retainers we recommend for our Invisalign patients:
- Fixed Retainer: Consisting of a thin, metal wire that we glue to the back of your teeth on the tongue side. Fixed retainers offer a more permanent solution that eliminates the risk of losing your retainer.
- Removable Retainer: This style comes in two forms – one being a traditional wire retainer and the other being a clear retainer that resembles and Invisalign tray. Many of our Invisalign patients choose the clear removable retainer because they are already used to it, and they are comfortable and durable!
Retainer Care
Retainers last for many years, but it’s important to note that they should be replaced as soon as you notice signs of wear and tear. They are only effective if they fit perfectly and can apply the correct amount of force.
Here are additional tips for keeping your retainers in good shape:
- Brush both sides of your removable retainers with a soft toothbrush every day. Every week, give them a deeper clean by soaking them in retainer-cleaning solution.
- For permanent retainers, brush around your wire really well twice a day and continue to floss once per day. This wire can easily trap food particles, so it’s essential to clean it well to prevent tooth decay or gum disease.
- Take removable retainers out any time you eat or drink beverages like coffee or tea, which can stain and warp the retainer.
- Remove your retainer when playing sports and store it in its case whenever you aren’t wearing it. Wear a mouthguard with your permanent retainer to protect it from impact.
- Never attempt to adjust your retainer by yourself. If you think it needs an adjustment, take it to your orthodontist first, so they can do it the right way.
Wearing a retainer after Invisalign helps keep your smile healthy and last a lifetime. Continue to brush and floss regularly, as well as visiting your general dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. Additionally, it’s important to eat a healthy, well-rounded diet full of necessary vitamins to keep your teeth strong and boost overall oral health.
If you have ever have any questions about orthodontic treatment, or are curious to learn more about Invisalign or retainers, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. We’d love to help you stay on track to maintaining a straight and healthy smile!
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Best Toothpaste and Toothbrushes (Manual + Electric) for Your Stocking Stuffers
With the holidays upon us, we know it can be hard to find the perfect gift idea for everyone in your life. As cliche as it sounds, many of us love to gift our families and friends with the best toothpaste and toothbrushes to clean teeth in braces, Invisalign or pediatric orthodontics.
See our recommendations below.
Our Best Toothbrush (Manual + Electric) Recommendations
When shopping for a new toothbrush, it’s important to find one that works properly for your needs. For people who have a hard time brushing for the full two minutes, an electric toothbrush can be extremely helpful as it indicates when to switch areas of your mouth. For those in your family with braces, orthodontic manual toothbrushes can be perfect, as they reach behind braces better than a regular toothbrush.
See our list below of the top toothbrushes to consider.
Don’t Forget to Floss While We Straighten Your Teeth
- Oral-B Kids Electric Rechargeable Power Toothbrush: A great electric toothbrush option for kids with braces, the distinct shape of the Oral-B Kids Electric Rechargeable Power Toothbrush allows the brushes to surround each tooth for cleaning around brackets and wires. This design also boasts a waterproof handle and uses a Sensitive Clean toothbrush head for gentle brushing, making it easy and fun for your kids to develop good brushing habits!
- Philips Sonicare 2: A high-performing electric toothbrush without a high-end price, the Philips Sonicare 2 features a two-minute timer, rechargeable battery, comfortable grip and sonic wave technology that leaves your teeth feeling smooth and clean. This toothbrush can be a great option for those with braces who are looking for an electric toothbrush.
- Oral-B Pro 1000: Another great electric toothbrush option under $50, the Oral-B Pro 1000 comes with a charging pedestal and lasts for a week before needing a recharge. If you choose this option, make sure you also get the Precision Clean replacement heads, which are specifically designed to ease the cleaning of braces.
- Oral-B Pro-Health Toothbrush: One of the best manual toothbrushes for braces, the bristles on the Oral-B Pro-Health Toothbrush crisscross at the ideal angle to reach all of the tight and small spaces that a standard brush may miss. This budget brush for braces can easily clean around the brackets and get underneath wires.
- Colgate Ortho Toothbrush: Another option for a good manual toothbrush, the firm inner bristles on the Colgate Ortho Toothbrush clean around the brackets and wires, while the soft outer bristles remove destructive bacteria and plaque from the gum line and surface of your teeth.
Our Best Toothpaste Recommendations
When selecting a toothpaste to use with braces, we have three rules of thumb:
- Use Fluoride Toothpaste: An important component in tooth strengthening and healing, fluoride makes teeth less susceptible to being eaten away by acid, food, and bacteria. It also makes the enamel on your teeth strong, reduces tooth decay, and minimizes acid damage from acid erosion caused by certain foods and drinks.
- Look for Tartar Control: A hard substance caused by continuous plaque build-up, tartar can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease, so look for a toothpaste that promotes tartar control.
- Stay Away From Whitening Products: Because toothpaste does not touch the part of your teeth behind your metal or ceramic brackets, we do not recommend using whitening products while in braces as your teeth would whiten unevenly.
We strongly recommend brushing your teeth after each meal, typically three times a day. If you have any questions about buying a new toothbrush, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We’d love to meet you.
Happy Holidays from the Gorman & Bunch family to yours!
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Top Signs Your Child May Need Early Orthodontic Care
Straightening your children’s teeth means more than getting them a great looking smile. Properly aligned teeth and jaws can also sustain their overall health. But how do you know if your child needs early orthodontic care?
Crooked or crowded teeth — what we call malocclusions — tend to be the primary indicator of eventual orthodontic treatment, such as braces or Invisalign. Children oftentimes inherit these types of issues from previous generations; however, orthodontic problems can also come from bad habits and behaviors over time.
The following guide can help you determine whether or not you need to schedule an initial consultation with an orthodontist.
Preparing Your Child for the First Orthodontist Appointment
Four Indicators of Early Orthodontic Care
- Crowded Teeth: If you can see insufficient room for your child’s new teeth to come in, that’s a good sign that he or she might need braces. If left untreated, crowded teeth can cause permanent teeth to get stuck in the roof of the mouth or jaw, and may require surgery down the road. If treated early, getting braces can make enough space for permanent teeth to come in correctly and prevent invasive treatment in the future.
- Crossbite: Your child experiences crossbite if his or her jaw shifts to one side or another when opening or closing the mouth, or if any of your child’s top teeth sit behind or to the inside of their bottom teeth. This issue, which creates an improper fit of the upper and lower teeth, can lead to worn and chipped teeth, pain in the jaw, and asymmetric growth of the jaws. If left untreated, a crossbite can cause irreversible problems with the jaw becoming permanently crooked. However, if caught early enough, crossbites can be easily fixed with orthodontic care.
- Thumb Sucking: Many babies and toddlers suck their thumbs and pacifiers, but these habits can lead to orthodontic problems as your kids reach five-years-old. If left untreated, your child may experience a very narrow upper jaw, protruded front teeth, and an “open bite” where the upper front teeth don’t touch the lower teeth.
- Protruding Teeth: Also known as “buck teeth,” protruding teeth can cause health problems, safety concerns and self-esteem issues. Protruding teeth can lead to painful biting of the roof of the mouth, possible gum recession and even tooth damage. If treated early, our orthodontists can use the child’s natural growth to fix the bite with braces. However, if you wait too long, it could require more extensive treatment included extraction of permanent teeth or jaw surgery.
Additional Reasons for Early Orthodontic Care
- Loss of baby teeth too early or too late (children typically start to lose baby teeth around the age of five)
- Trouble biting or chewing
- Mouth breathing
- Speech impediments
- Biting of the cheek
- Too much space between teeth
Causes of Orthodontic Issues in Young Children
It’s very common for parents to be concerned about what caused your child’s misaligned teeth. Some of the most common causes we see include:
- Loss of baby teeth coming too early or too late
- Certain thumb-sucking habits
- Inherited problems, such as a bad bite
- Injuries to the mouth
- Jaw growth problems
If you’re unsure whether or not your child needs early orthodontic care, we strongly suggest bringing them in for a free consultation. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends bringing your child in for a consultation by the age of seven. The earlier we can identify issues and start treatment, the faster we can achieve the desired results.
Get to know our team, and schedule your complimentary consultation here. We look forward to meeting you!
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How Thumb Sucking Can Affect Your Child’s Teeth
There are many reasons a child may start sucking his or her thumb: seeking comfort, managing anxiety, and pure habit just to name a few. It is a completely normal habit that can sometimes start before a baby is even born. However, if it continues past the age of four, it can cause long-term problems for the teeth and mouth.
In an ideal bite, the upper teeth will grow to overlap the lower teeth. However, the pressure of thumb sucking can lead to abnormal tooth eruption and unwanted effects on jaw growth. In order to prevent the negative consequences of thumb sucking, it’s important to take this habit seriously and intervene at a young age.
Negative Effects of Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking can have many negative effects on your child’s teeth. It causes a repetitive pressure on the teeth, jawbone and roof of the mouth, and it may cause the following issues:
- Overbite — where the front teeth protrude out from the jaw.
- Open bite — where the teeth don’t overlap at all when you bite together.
- Shrinking of the airways, which alters breathing patterns and causes sleep-disordered breathing.
- Changes to your jaw or face shape, also affecting alignment of the teeth.
- Development of hindered speech patterns such as a lisp.
- A sensitive roof of the mouth.
- Poor swallowing patterns.
- Improper teeth positions.
What to Know When Looking for a Children's Orthodontist
How to Stop Thumb Sucking
Most of these issues will resolve on their own or won’t develop at all if thumb sucking stops before permanent teeth come in around the age of six. However, here are a few tricks to help prevent long-term issues:
- Give positive reinforcement that encourages your child to choose to stop sucking their thumb on his/her own. Punishment, scolding and other types of negative reinforcement will most likely lead to the child continuing the habit out of defense.
- Hold your child’s hand when he or she gets the urge to suck his or her thumb. Or, put a soft blanket or stuffed animal in the hand when trying to suck his/her thumb. Oftentimes, thumb sucking provides emotional comfort, so making your child feel safe and comfortable should help.
- Cover your child’s hand with a bandage during the day in order to prevent him/her from sticking their thumb in his/her mouth.
- Take your child’s thumb out of his/her mouth after falling asleep at night.
- Consider a orthodontic appliance called a “thumb crib.” If your child is struggling to stop sucking their thumb, talk to any of the doctors or staff at our orthodontic offices about a thumb crib. We secure this appliance to the upper teeth to help children stop sucking their thumb, while also training the tongue to stop going in between the upper and lower teeth.
Thumb sucking is a natural habit for most young children. If your child doesn’t stop sucking their thumb naturally after age four, it can cause long-term damage to their teeth and mouth. If you’re having a hard time helping your child stop thumb sucking, consider talking to your dentist or seeking out an orthodontist to help.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us here. We’re happy to help find a solution and prevent long-term issues with the teeth and mouth.
Ready to schedule a free consultation?
The 7-Step Process of Getting Invisalign Treatment at Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics
At Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics, all five of our doctors have extensive experience providing Invisalign treatment to our patients — making us the #1 provider of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen in the state of Indiana. Our doctors, in fact, have successfully treated more patients with Invisalign than 99 percent of doctors in North America.
Part of the reason for that success has been the step-by-step process we have created for our patients to follow when getting Invisalign treatment at our practice. And in our experience, the patients who follow these seven steps see the best results in the quickest way possible for their personalized treatment plan.
STEP 1: Receive Your Complimentary Consultation
We offer a free initial consultation that consists of an oral examination, digital x-rays and photos, as well as a detailed discussion on the different treatment options — including Invisalign. In many cases, we can even begin treatment that same day.
STEP 2: Get Your Customized Invisalign Treatment Plan
Once you decide to move forward with Invisalign, we use our digital scanner to make a precise 3D model of your mouth, allowing us to create a customized treatment plan that shifts your teeth into the right place over 1-2 years.
STEP 3: Receive Your New Aligners
Next, you receive your clear, plastic Invisalign aligners to wear these for at least 20 hours per day — removing only for eating and brushing or flossing your teeth. If you play sports, we suggest wearing a mouthguard in order to protect your teeth and aligners.
How Invisalign Works to Straighten Your Teeth
STEP 4: Replace Aligners Every 1-2 Weeks
To reduce the amount of force we put on your teeth, we gradually shift your teeth in stages by giving you new aligners every 1-2 weeks. Sometimes, we need to adjust the timing and direction of your treatment, but we always keep you informed on where we stand at every stage of the treatment process.
STEP 5: Attend a Check-Up Every 12 Weeks
We recommend visiting our orthodontic offices every 12 weeks for a check-up. During this appointment, we evaluate the progress of your treatment and discuss any necessary changes.
STEP 6: Make Dental Hygiene a Priority
During your Invisalign journey, we recommend brushing and flossing regularly, in order to maintain a healthy smile. Additionally, we strongly recommend you follow a regular six-month cleaning with your dentist.
STEP 7: Enjoy Your New Smile
Finally — and this might be the most important step — share your new smile with the world once your Invisalign treatment concludes! We hope that you experience a new level of confidence and enjoy showing off your smile more than ever.
If you’ve ever been told Invisalign cannot work for your situation, we specialize in complex cases for teens and adults, and we’d love to talk with you about your options.
If you’re curious in learning more about Invisalign or in starting treatment, please reach out to schedule your initial complimentary consultation. We look forward to helping you become the healthiest version of yourself!