Invisalign Clear Aligners Los Gatos

What Kind of Bite Problems Can Invisalign Correct?

Here are a few of the most common issues that Dr. Herrera can treat with the help of Invisalign:

• Overcrowding – This occurs when there is too little space for the teeth to align normally. Overcrowding can cause tooth decay and greatly increase the likelihood of gum disease.
• Gaps Between Teeth – This can sometimes occur because teeth are missing or because the jaw continues to grow abnormally.
• Crossbite – This common problem occurs when one or multiple upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. Consequently, uneven wear on the teeth can lead to enamel erosion as well as gum disease.
• Overbite – This occurs when the upper teeth project further than or completely cover the lower teeth. It’s known to cause jaw pain and issues with the TMJ (temporomandibular joints), which connect your jaw to the rest of your skull.
• Underbite – This is the inverse of an overbite; the lower teeth project further than or completely past the upper teeth. It can cause similar issues, including jaw pain and TMD.

 

What Advantages Does Invisalign Offer Over Traditional Braces and Veneers?

Traditional metal braces, Invisalign aligners, and dental veneers are three of the most utilized ways to perfect the alignment of the teeth. However, there are many different things one must consider when deciding which treatment is best.

For example, the main difference between metal braces and Invisalign is the fact that the latter is entirely removable, whereas braces, as well as veneers, are affixed to the teeth. While this is undoubtedly convenient, it also requires more discipline and commitment on the patient’s part.

Many patients prefer the convenience of Invisalign in addition to the aesthetic benefits, but it’s perfectly fine to prefer braces if you’d rather not worry about maintaining your trays. Invisalign treatment timelines also tend to be a few months shorter on average compared to those of metal braces.

It's also worth mentioning that veneers don’t actually straighten teeth like braces and Invisalign do – they merely make teeth appear straighter. That said, they can simultaneously address multiple aesthetic flaws, making them a more well-rounded and comprehensive solution compared to braces and Invisalign, which are more focused on addressing malocclusion and other orthodontic issues.

In the end, if it’s orthodontic improvement that you’re after and you’d like to do it conveniently and comfortably, Invisalign is a great choice.

The Invisalign Treatment Process

First, Dr. Herrera will devise an initial treatment plan for your specific circumstances. 3D digital images are taken of the entire jaw; these images allow Dr. Herrera to move around specific teeth during the planning phase, view them from different angles, and foresee what the face might look like in the future. In essence, this technology helps to map out the entire Invisalign process from start to finish, which simply wasn’t possible in the past!

Once planning is complete, a unique set of aligners is made that fit precisely over the teeth. Invisalign can be used to correct one or both arches simultaneously, and the total amount of aligners needed usually varies with each case, but typically, anywhere from 20 to 30 sets are needed.

Life with Invisalign

It’s normal to need some time to get used to your Invisalign aligners; wearing them for 22 hours every day isn’t something you’ll automatically adjust to. You’ll want to remove them any time you eat or drink since food debris can become trapped between the trays and your teeth. Certain items might also stain the aligners, making them much more noticeable.

Of course, you’ll also need to remove the aligners any time you’re brushing your teeth, and the aligners will need to be cleaned as well. Usually, you’ll advance to a new set of aligners every two weeks, and you’ll have regular check-ins with Dr. Herrera to ensure that things are moving along as planned.