Thanks to Invisalign® removable teeth aligners, it’s easier than ever to straighten your teeth. At Carnegie Dental Wellness in Midtown West Manhattan, general and cosmetic dentist Constantina Bacopoulou, DDS, and the team offer orthodontic treatment with Invisalign to adults and teens. To make an appointment at the practice in New York City, call the office today or schedule online.
What is Invisalign®?
Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth. It uses a series of custom-manufactured removable aligners to gradually improve the position of your teeth and jaw.
Invisalign aligners are made from a smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible plastic. There are no wires to tighten or metal brackets bonded to your teeth. During treatment, you wear a new set of aligners every two or three weeks, until you achieve the desired results.
The process is quick, painless, and hassle-free. What’s more, because the aligners are see-through, no one knows you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.
What issues can Invisalign aligners correct?
Dr. Bacopoulou and the team use Invisalign aligners to correct various issues, including:
- Crowding
- Crooked teeth
- Overlapping teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Crossbite
- Overbite
- Underbite
You might also benefit from orthodontic treatment if you have a crooked jaw that makes it difficult to bite or chew comfortably.
What does treatment with Invisalign involve?
Before prescribing orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, Dr. Bacopoulou asks about your goals and conducts an oral exam. Then, she takes oral X-rays to assess the alignment and position of your teeth and jaw.
If Dr. Bacopoulou identifies any alignment issues, she takes scans of your mouth and uploads them to a computer-aided design (CAD) program. Dr. Bacopoulou uses the program to develop a custom orthodontic treatment plan.
When she’s finished, Dr. Bacopoulou sends your scans (and treatment plan) to an Invisalign laboratory. Techs at the Invisalign lab use your impressions to create a custom set of clear aligners.
When your first set of aligners are ready, you return to Carnegie Dental Wellness to try them on. Every few weeks, you visit Dr. Bacopoulou and transition to a newly manufactured set of aligners.
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
Orthodontic treatment with Invisalign typically takes 8-12* months, but it can take longer. To ensure the process goes as quickly as possible, it’s important to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours each day. In addition, attend each of your appointments and closely follow Dr. Bacopoulou’s instructions.
How do I keep my Invisalign aligners clean?
To keep your Invisalign aligners clean, rinse them in cool tap water several times a day. Also, brush them with a soft-bristle toothbrush before going to bed. If you’d like to clean your aligners more thoroughly, ask Dr. Bacopoulou about Invisalign cleaning crystals.
For more information on the benefits of Invisalign, make an appointment at Carnegie Dental Wellness by calling the office or scheduling online today.
*Individual results may vary.