You remember the day your braces came off and you got to see your new smile. It was the result of months of brushing, flossing, and abstaining from all kinds of delicious foods. It was hard, but in the end, you could be confident in how you looked.
After a few years, it’s easy for your teeth to slide back into their original position. Many people want that smile again, but don’t want to go through the process they did when they were younger. For these types of people, Invisalign has a lot to offer. You might wonder if it’s possible to get Invisalign after braces, so here’s a short guide that’ll tell you everything you need to know.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a substitute for traditional braces that uses a plastic tray molded to your mouth, called an aligner, to gently nudge your teeth into their proper place. Your dentist takes a scan of what your mouth looks like now and then creates a 3d model of what your ideal smile should look like. A computer looks at both of these images and calculates what is needed to move your teeth from one position to the other. It then designs a series of aligners that will get you to your goal. These are worn anywhere from 20-22 hours a day and are swapped out every few weeks.
How are Invisalign Aligners Different From Traditional Braces?
Invisalign has several obvious benefits when compared to the alternative. Aligners are discrete, so much so that it’s hard to know someone’s wearing them until they mention it. They also tend to be more comfortable to wear. Furthermore, your aligners can be taken out during meals, meaning there aren’t any dietary restrictions. Finally, while the exact amount of time you’ll need to wear the aligners varies greatly, most people only need around 12-18 months to see results. This is considerably less time than is needed for traditional braces.
Can I Wear Invisalign After Braces?
Since its creation, Invisalign has gotten better and better at solving all kinds of alignment problems. Most issues involving crowding or spacing can be dealt with in short order. It can even fix your over, under, or crossbite, though this will take longer than addressing mild cosmetic problems. However, there are some concerns that aligners can’t solve, so you’d need to schedule a consultation with your dentist to find out for sure if they would work for you.
That said, people who have previously had braces usually make great candidates for Invisalign. If you’re trying to realign your teeth, it’s worth considering. These little plastic trays could give you the reveal you’ve been dreaming of all over again.
About our Practice
At 918 Dentist, we want to combine small-town values with state-of-the-art oral medicine. Both of our dentists, Dr. Georgy and Dr. Mohanna, are experts in their field who hope to use their experience to give you the smile you deserve. If you have questions about Invisalign treatment, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (918) 216-1000.