At Bowman DMD in Fort Walton Beach, FL, we know that many people want straight teeth but don’t necessarily want to commit to braces for many reasons. However, traditional braces aren’t the only way to get straight, beautiful teeth and improve your smile. We are proud to offer Invisalign treatments, the reputable and trusted brand that helps teenagers and adults alike get straight teeth without the need for braces.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
The benefit of this teeth-straightening treatment is that many different types of people make ideal candidates. Adult men and women, as well as teenagers, can benefit from all that these clear aligners have to offer.
Teenagers
Those who are in their teens make up the majority of those who seek out this treatment. This form of teeth straightening is appealing to teenagers and their parents for many reasons. Teenagers make excellent candidates because this treatment is easy to undergo and keep up with. The aligners are nearly invisible, and they work.
Adults Who Don’t Want Braces
For many adults, braces are a symbol of youth, and not in a good way. They associate them with middle school or high school and therefore want nothing to do with them. This is completely understandable. Braces deliver results, but they can make you feel self-conscious and even embarrassed. Clear aligners can help straighten your teeth without making you feel self-conscious about your appearance.
Athletes
If you’re an athlete, especially one that plays full-contact sports, traditional braces can pose different struggles. Even the slightest impact can damage the brackets, which then requires an immediate appointment to repair that bracket so your results aren’t interrupted. Athletes can benefit from this teeth-straightening treatment because there are no brackets and wires to worry about during any impact.
Average Individuals
Everyone is busy. Life gets busy, and it can be hard enough to find the time to schedule an appointment, let alone show up for it. If you are a busy individual with a job, kids, a family, or just obligations that keep you moving at a rapid pace throughout the day, we want you to know that there is time in your schedule to invest in your teeth and your smile.
With this particular treatment, you won’t have to schedule orthodontist visits every few weeks. This method cuts your treatment time down dramatically when compared to a treatment plan with standard braces. Invisalign treatments is an ideal option for the average individual who is busy but still wants beautiful teeth.
Who Isn’t a Candidate?
Many different people from different walks of life and different age groups make excellent candidates for this treatment. Yet, some will not qualify for treatment due to certain conditions. It is essential to understand which conditions may temporarily exclude you from this treatment or exclude you altogether. Those who aren’t candidates for this teeth-straightening treatment typically will not qualify as candidates for traditional braces as well.
You Have Cavities
The number one condition that disqualifies individuals from undergoing this treatment is having unfilled cavities. If you have cavities that haven’t been filled, you must schedule an appointment at your dentist’s office to have them filled and taken care of before seeking out orthodontic treatment. However, the good news is that cavities only temporarily disqualify you from treatment.
Once they are filled, you can schedule a consultation and begin the treatment process. If you are unsure of the health of your teeth, you should consider scheduling a dental exam to have your teeth cleaned and checked for any existing cavities so that you can take the necessary steps to have them filled.
You Have Gum Disease
Active gum disease is another condition that temporarily disqualifies you from undergoing this treatment. Gum disease can cause the teeth to loosen. This treatment aims to shift the teeth, and when gum disease is a factor, it becomes a risk that skilled and experienced orthodontists will not take. Gum disease is treatable, and once you have recovered from it, you can consider undergoing this teeth-straightening treatment.
You Have Other Dental Issues
Other dental issues may disqualify you from this treatment, including TMJ, dental implants, and long bridges. During your consultation, you will be asked about your dental health history and the conditions you currently have or have experienced in the past.
These conditions may or may not disqualify you from treatment. Our experts will be able to lead you in the right direction regarding your eligibility for treatment and which, if any, steps you must take before beginning your treatment.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign therapy is a teeth-straightening treatment that works by straightening the teeth without the need for brackets, wires, or braces. The aligners are nearly invisible. This treatment allows teenagers and adults alike to straighten their teeth without feeling embarrassed or self-conscious about how they look, especially when they smile.
How Does It Work?
Invisalign treatments takes a modern approach to teeth straightening. This treatment uses clear, plastic aligner trays that fit comfortably over your teeth. They don’t require any brackets, braces, or wires. Your teeth will move into the desired position slowly over time. These aligners are nearly invisible to most people and allow you to straighten your teeth without having to feel self-conscious about your appearance.
We use advanced scanning technology that can take 6,000 images per second to get an accurate image of your teeth to develop the right treatment plan for you. This scanning system provides more accuracy than typical impressions and helps us customize your treatment to your needs and your goals. You’ll get straight, beautiful teeth, and you’ll love your results so much that you won’t be able to stop smiling. If you’re smiling, we’ve succeeded and reached our goals.
What Can I Expect During Treatment?
When you choose this treatment, you can expect to wear each set of your custom aligners for two weeks. Then, you will visit our office every four to eight weeks. During these visits, we’ll monitor your progress and adjust your aligners if needed so you can get the best results. Over the course of your treatment, your teeth will slowly straighten and move into the optimal position.
Everyone loves progress, especially when it comes to their teeth. Teeth can feel as though they move painfully slow, but you can rest assured that when you choose this treatment, you’ll get results, and you’ll be able to see tangible evidence of your progress. At every appointment, we’ll track your progress and show you the differences and changes in the appearance of your teeth.
What Are the Benefits?
The benefits of this treatment are nearly endless, but our patients love them for a few main reasons. They’re hassle-free and easy to clean. They’re easy to manage and work with, and they’re easy to wear. Appointments are quick and few and far between. You won’t have to spend hours in our office every other week. They’re efficient and work relatively quickly to help you reach your smile goals. Lastly, they’re affordable and won’t break the bank.
They’re Invisible
These aligners are invisible, hence their name. Most people won’t see your aligner unless you draw attention to them. This is one of the most appealing aspects for teenagers because no one wants to endure the ridicule that often accompanies braces. It takes away the self-conscious aspects, which can help motivate teens to commit to the teeth-straightening process.
They’re Proven
Over nine million people have benefited from this particular treatment. Invisalign treatments has been researched, studied, and proven to be an effective and efficient way to straighten teeth with significantly less discomfort than traditional braces. They work, the treatment delivers results, and you’ll end up with a beautiful smile and increased confidence, all within several short months.
FAQs
How Do I Know If It’s Right for Me?
If you still aren’t sure whether or not you’re a candidate for Invisalign treatments, we can help. The first step in this process is an initial consultation at our office. During this consultation, we’ll review your goals, examine your teeth, and go through the necessary steps to determine if you are an ideal candidate. Then, we’ll initiate the process and begin your treatment plan. Within just a few appointments, you’ll be well on your way to beautiful, straight teeth.
How Long Does It Take To Work?
This treatment can straighten your teeth in as little as six short months. The total treatment time does vary from one patient to the next based on the severity of their condition and what they want to ultimately accomplish. During your initial consultation, we’ll develop a treatment plan that’s right for you and will then be able to give you a better idea of how long you can expect to undergo treatment to reach your goals.
How Long Will My Results Last?
Your results are intended to be permanent. Whenever you undergo orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth, it is recommended that you wear some type of retainer to keep your teeth from moving back into a less than ideal position. The type of retainer will vary among patients, and once you complete your treatment, we’ll provide you with additional information on what you can expect post-treatment and how you can best maintain your results.
Can I Undergo Treatment if I Already Had Braces?
Some people wear braces early on in life to straighten their teeth, and then years down the road, they realize that their teeth have shifted. In that case, this treatment can help restore your beautiful teeth and straighten those teeth that have turned with time. Many patients who have previously worn braces choose Invisalign treatments to restore their beautiful teeth but do so quickly and discreetly.
How Long Do I Need To Wear the Aligners?
It is recommended that you wear the aligners anywhere from 20 to 22 hours each day for the best results. That gives you a two to four-hour break to accommodate eating and drinking throughout the day. During your treatment, we’ll give you a complete list of instructions on how to care for your aligners, clean them, and how often you can expect to wear them to get optimal results.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Your smile is everything, and if you lack confidence in the appearance of your teeth, you won’t be able to show your true smile. There is a way to reclaim your smile, and it’s simple and effective. Contact us today at Bowman DMD in Fort Walton Beach, FL, and schedule your initial consultation with our experts to learn more about Invisalign treatments and if you are a candidate who can benefit from all that this treatment has to offer.