Invisalign® Clear Aligners in Troy

Do crooked teeth keep you from smiling confidently? Maybe you had orthodontic treatment as an adolescent but didn’t continue to wear your retainers. Or perhaps you never had the chance to straighten your teeth as a teen.

Whatever the case, clear aligners with Invisalign® offer an excellent option for straightening your teeth, correcting your bite, and boosting your confidence.

And when you choose Degenhardt Dental for your clear aligner therapy, you know you’re in good hands because Dr. Chris is a certified Invisalign® provider. His expertise ensures you get the quality care you deserve and the smile you’ve always wanted.

Am I a Candidate for Invisalign?

Clear aligners are a great treatment option for many teens and adults with mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. However, there are times when traditional braces may be a better option.

During your initial consultation, we’ll perform a thorough examination and discuss your treatment options with you. Our goal is for every patient to make informed decisions about their oral health and achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they deserve.

Clear aligners can often correct the following concerns:

• Crowded teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Cross bite
• Open bite

Traditional braces might be necessary in these situations:

• Severe bite problems
• Complex tooth movements
• Children whose permanent teeth are still coming in
• Anyone who might lack the discipline to comply with Invisalign treatment guidelines

How Clear Aligners in Troy, MI, Work

Instead of relying on brackets and wires to move your teeth, Invisalign uses customized clear plastic aligners to straighten your teeth. The aligners fit snugly, so they don’t interfere with your normal daily activities. You can also easily remove them for brushing, flossing, and eating meals.

Invisalign will create clear aligners for your teeth based on our dentist’s specifications. According to their treatment plan, you’ll move to the next set in the series every two to three weeks.

Depending on their needs, most patients finish their treatment in 10 to 18 months.

When you visit our Troy, MI, dental office, here are the steps to the Invisalign process:

• Consultation — The first step is a complete assessment of your teeth, bite, and jaw. We’ll take digital photos and x-rays to determine whether Invisalign is right for you.
• Digital scans and treatment plan — If clear aligners are a viable option, we’ll take 3-D digital scans to create a model of your mouth. This allows us to show you a virtual preview of your new smile. During this phase, we’ll explain the treatment plan and answer all your questions.
• Fitting your aligners — Once your custom aligners are back from the Invisalign lab (in about two to four weeks), you’ll come back to our office so we can show you how to put them in and take them out. We’ll also discuss how to clean and care for your aligners and your teeth during treatment.
• Daily wear — You’ll only remove your aligners to eat, brush, and floss. You’ll switch to a new set every one to two weeks and visit our office for a checkup every six weeks or so.
• Retainers — Once you complete your Invisalign treatment, we’ll take impressions for custom retainers. At first, you’ll wear your retainers full-time, but eventually, you’ll only have to wear them at night. Wearing a retainer keeps your teeth from shifting back to their original position.

Why Are Straight Teeth Important?

When you think about straightening your teeth, you may consider the increased confidence the treatment provides. However, several dental health benefits accompany straight teeth:

• Improved oral hygiene — Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, reducing your risk of developing tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
• Better bite alignment—When your bite is aligned correctly, you can avoid jaw joint (TMJ) problems or discomfort.
• Eliminates bruxism — Clenching and grinding your teeth (bruxism) is often the result of a misaligned bite. Orthodontic treatment frequently eliminates this problem.
• Comfortable chewing — For some patients, it’s easier to chew and eat with properly aligned teeth. Straight teeth also eliminate uncomfortable food traps between teeth.

If you’re interested in straightening your teeth with Invisalign, the first step is to book an evaluation with Dr. Chris. He is a certified Invisalign provider, and he can determine if Invisalign is the right treatment for your needs.

You can request an appointment at Degenhardt Dental online or by calling (248) 643-6551 to speak with a team member.