When you had braces, you spent months or even years wearing them. When you finally finished treatment, you were thrilled to enjoy the benefits of a straighter, healthier smile. But what about now? Perhaps you have forgotten to wear your retainer, or your teeth have shifted out of place for other reasons. You might need a second round of orthodontic treatment. This blog post shares how Invisalign may be able to help.
Who Qualifies for Invisalign After Braces?
Many patients do not want to get braces again. Instead, they prefer the more discreet option, Invisalign, which uses custom clear aligners to reposition the teeth. Thankfully, most adults are candidates for Invisalign. It tends to work well for mild to moderate cases of misalignment, meaning that they are suitable for patients who are trying to re-straighten their teeth after treatment with braces.
Invisalign can help with a number of orthodontic issues, including crowded or cooked teeth, small gaps, and minor bite issues. Of course, your Invisalign provider will need to consider more than just the positioning of your teeth. Your overall oral health, your lifestyle, and your personal preferences will all go into determining whether Invisalign is a good fit for you.
What to Expect During Treatment
If you decide to go ahead and get Invisalign, you can expect your experience to be somewhat different from what you went through with traditional braces:
- Appearance: Whereas braces use highly visible brackets and wires, Invisalign aligners are very subtle in appearance. Although they are not totally invisible, they are discreet enough not to call a lot of attention to themselves.
- Comfort: Invisalign trays are made of smooth plastic, and many patients find that they cause less irritation than traditional brackets and wires.
- Removability: Because the Invisalign aligners are removable, you can easily clean your teeth and enjoy any food you want. Of course, the removable nature of the aligners also means that you will need to be diligent and remember to wear them for 20 – 22 hours each day.
- Check-ins: Often, Invisalign appointments occur less frequently than appointments for braces. This is because you can simply change aligners at home and only visit your dentist when it is necessary for them to check on your progress.
Getting Invisalign after braces is a great idea if you want to re-straighten your teeth! Talk with your dentist to learn more about the road ahead.
Meet the Practice
At New Haven Dental Group, our skilled team is pleased to provide both clear aligners and traditional metal braces. If your teeth have moved out of place after past orthodontic treatment, we would be pleased to consult with you and help you understand your options. To learn more about us or to schedule a consultation, contact our Branford location at 203-439-6895.