If you’re searching for a way to straighten your teeth without the hassles of traditional braces, Invisalign might be the solution you’ve been searching for. Invisalign is perfect for both teens and adults of all ages and it offers benefits such as comfort, convenience, and discreetness. Fortunately, the treatment process is quite simple and only involves 7 stages. Get to know the treatment process and then book a consultation at Beyond Exceptional Dentistry in Savannah or Bluffton.
Stage 1: Consultation
The first stage of your Invisalign treatment is a consultation with one of our Invisalign dentists, Dr. Rod Strickland or Dr. Ryan Reeves. To book a consultation, please call us at (912) 234-8282. When you arrive for your consultation, our friendly staff will greet you and guide you to one of our exam rooms. Then, Dr. Strickland or Dr. Reeves will examine your teeth and take x-rays to determine if you’re a good candidate for orthodontics and especially for Invisalign treatment. They will also discuss your problems and you can tell them what aspects of your teeth you feel unhappy with.
Then, they will recommend the best orthodontic treatment for you. In some cases, Invisalign is the best option, and in other cases, Six Month Smiles might be the best alternative to reach your goals. Our dentists will review your treatment plan including the estimated time frame until completion. Additionally, we will review your treatment costs and discuss financing information if needed.
If you would like to proceed with Invisalign treatment, we will move onto the next stage. If for some reason you’re not a good candidate for Invisalign, we will recommend alternative treatments for your needs.
Stage 2: Treatment Plan Creation
Next, our Invisalign dentists will create your treatment plan. To accomplish this, they will take digital impressions of your teeth and upload them to the treatment planning software. Then they will map out every stage of your treatment and know exactly where your teeth will move during each set of aligners. Once they’re finished planning your treatment, they will send your impressions and treatment plan off to the Invisalign labs to manufacture your clear aligners.
Stage 3: Aligners Created in Lab
The Invisalign lab will create a set number of clear aligners for your entire treatment. You will wear each set for about two weeks at a time (or as directed by our dentists) before moving on to the next set. Each set gradually moves your teeth into their next position. Then, within six months to two years, you will achieve your results.
Stage 4: Wear Aligners
Once your clear aligners are back from the lab, you can start wearing the first set! It’s important that you wear the clear aligners for at least 22 hours per day to ensure your teeth move at the correct pace. You’re free to remove them for eating, drinking anything besides water, and for brushing and flossing your teeth. We recommend thoroughly cleaning your aligners when you brush your teeth. Keeping your aligners clean will prevent plaque build-up, bad breath, and stains.
Stage 5: Check Treatment Progress
Every six weeks or so, you will visit our dental office for a quick check-up on your treatment’s progress. These checkups are essential to make sure your treatment is progressing according to our plan. If we find that your teeth aren’t moving fast enough, it might be due to you not wearing your aligners long enough every day. These quick check-ups also give us an idea as to whether or not we will need to make any adjustments to your treatment plan along the way.
Stage 6: Final Adjustments
Once we get towards the end of your treatment, we will complete another check-up on your progress to see if we need to add a few aligners to achieve your desired results. Some patients may require additional aligners while others might be right on track. It varies by patient.
Stage 7: Result Maintenance
Once your treatment is complete, it’s important to wear your retainers as directed to maintain your results. Typically you will need to wear your retainers every night for the first year. After that, you will only need to wear them a few nights per week for the rest of your life. As long as you stay consistent with retainer use, your teeth will stay straight and beautiful for years to come!
Schedule a Consultation For Invisalign in Savannah Today
If Invisalign sounds like the right treatment for you, it’s easy to get started. All you need to do is schedule a consultation with one of our Savannah or Bluffton dentists by calling (912) 234-8282 today. We look forward to helping you achieve a smile that helps you feel confident.
