INVISALIGN CLEAR BRACES – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Get Straighter Teeth without the Metal
Grand Dental Studio offers Invisalign clear braces for patients who want straighter teeth without the hassle of having to wear traditional metal braces with brackets and wires. FDA-approved Invisalign is the “invisible” way to straighten your teeth and involves a series of clear, custom-made aligners to reposition them over about 12 to 18 months. Because you can remove the Invisalign aligners before you eat and drink, there are no food restrictions or problems with flossing or brushing.
Invisalign clear braces in Oklahoma City are suited for older teens and adults who want to maintain a sophisticated appearance while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Keep reading to see why tens of millions of patients around the world chose to get the smiles they’ve always wanted with Invisalign.
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign relies on the same basic principle as braces to shift the teeth, in that the aligners apply a small amount of pressure that directs them toward their ideal positions. The path each tooth takes toward its new position will be dictated by the treatment plan designed by your dentist.
We use 3D computer imaging technology to design a complete Invisalign treatment plan from start to finish. Each aligner in your series should be worn for about two weeks, 22 hours a day for optimal results. Every six to eight weeks, you'll come in for a progress check at Grand Dental Studio so your dentist can make sure everything is progressing as it should.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Invisalign has been used to correct a wide array of orthodontic issues over the last few decades, ranging from the simplest to the most complex:
Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth are the most common reason people get orthodontics, and they can develop for a multitude of reasons. Thankfully, Invisalign cannot only space out bunched-up teeth, but rotate them as well to create a pristine and balanced result.
Gaps Between Teeth
Gaps not only cause someone to feel self-conscious, but they can also lead to speech problems and even make someone more likely to develop gum disease. Invisalign is able to move teeth closer together to permanently remove unwanted spaces.
Overbite
In the past, patients with issues like overbite couldn’t use Invisalign, but that is no longer the case! In addition to improving the alignment of the individual teeth, it can address this common bite problem as well to improve chewing, speaking, aesthetics, and help with TMJ-related pain.
Underbite
An underbite is essentially the opposite of an overbite. The aesthetic concerns are obvious, leading to an overly prominent chin. But also like overbite, it can create imbalances that lead to facial pain and accelerated tooth wear. Thankfully, Invisalign can correct minor to moderate underbites for many patients.
Crossbite
A crossbite can take a few distinct forms. With some, the upper front teeth sit just inside of the lower teeth, while with others, this same relationship occurs in the back teeth (respectively referred to as an anterior or posterior crossbite). The chances of chipping and breaking are greatly increased. Does Invisalign fix crossbite? Fortunately, yes! It can address both the functional and cosmetic issues at the same time.
Open Bite
With an open bite, the teeth are positioned in a way that the ones in the front never come together. This leaves a space that can make chewing quite awkward. Plus, the forward orientation of the front teeth affects how the smile and lips look. Invisalign can gradually bring the bite back together, making eating, speaking, and feeling confident much easier and more comfortable.
Benefits of Invisalign
While the aesthetic benefits of Invisalign are easy to see, that’s just scratching the surface of everything it has to offer. In short, it makes getting straight, attractive, and healthy teeth so much easier compared to traditional braces, but to learn how, just click the button below to see everything it has to offer.
Improved Comfort
The smooth plastic is custom-made to fit in your mouth, so it doesn’t cause the irritation that is common with metal braces. That means you’ll forget you even have your trays in pretty fast, plus you don’t have to mess with things like dental wax to smooth out rough spots.
Discreet Trays
After you put on your Invisalign aligners, they practically disappear, meaning you don’t have to worry about friends or coworkers noticing your treatment. This is why Invisalign is such a popular choice both for adults who want to keep their professional image as well as teens who don’t want to draw attention to their teeth.
Better Dental Hygiene
You can clean your teeth like normal with Invisalign--just pop your aligners off and put them back when you’re done. This lowers the risk of issues like cavities and gum disease that often develop when someone has braces. Plus, being able to brush like usual means you can avoid stains caused by brackets, ensuring your newly aligned smile stays nice and bright.
Quick Follow-Ups
With braces, follow-up appointments to make sure your teeth are moving according to plan can take a while because the elastics and archwire have to be replaced. With Invisalign, this isn’t necessary! Your dentist examines your teeth, gives you your next set of trays, and that’s it. Often, the entire process can be completed in just 15 minutes.
Boosted Confidence
While the trays themselves are practically invisible, the results are not! You’ll start to notice your teeth moving within a matter of weeks after beginning treatment, and they’ll slowly start to look better with each new set of trays. Seeing this makes many patients more eager to smile and be social, which can have untold benefits for their professional and personal lives.
Non-Invasive Treatment
Compared to traditional orthodontics, Invisalign is quite gentle and straightforward. Nothing is cemented to your teeth. You’re able to remove the appliance whenever you want. You don’t have to change your diet or oral hygiene routine. It’s able to provide what you need while adapting to your lifestyle—it’s usually the opposite case with braces!
Living with Invisalign Aligners
What is it like using Invisalign in Oklahoma City day to day? While the broader benefits of the treatment are great, it’s also helpful to have a more grounded perspective and clearer understanding of what to expect. What will eating and oral hygiene be like? We cover it all right here.
How Long Do I Have to Wear Invisalign Each Day?
The goal is to wear your trays as much as possible because this means they have the opportunity to move your teeth. Practically, having them in for 20-22 hours every day is ideal. So, you’ll normally only take them out to eat or brush/floss your teeth. Yes, you will sleep with your trays!
How Often Should I Clean Invisalign?
You should clean your Invisalign trays as often as you clean your teeth, which means at least twice a day (once in the morning and right before bed). This entails removing your trays and using a soft-bristle brush along with clear hand soap to scrub them (regular toothpaste is too abrasive). It removes stuck-on food and bacteria, which not only keeps your trays perfectly clear, but also ensures they don’t develop an unpleasant smell.
What is It Like Eating & Drinking with Invisalign?
This one is simple: you should take your Invisalign trays out whenever you eat or drink anything OTHER than unflavored water. While the plastic is strong, it isn’t meant to stand up to chewing forces, and different beverages can lead to noticeable stains.
What Should I Do If I Lose or Damage an Invisalign Tray?
No need to panic! It happens all the time—just reach out to our team, and we’ll let you know what to do. This might involve switching to your next tray early or reverting to a previous one depending on where you are in your treatment. A replacement isn’t always necessary, but if you require one, we’ll make sure you get it promptly.
What Are Routine Check-Ins Like with Invisalign?
We’ll schedule you for brief check-in appointments about every six to eight weeks. Your dentist will make sure your teeth are moving according to your treatment plan and make any adjustments necessary. Everybody’s mouth responds differently to Invisalign, and some teeth move at different rates than others. These short visits ensure small issues are found early and corrected right away.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Because each Invisalign treatment is highly individualized, there isn’t a fixed cost. Factors like the starting position of your teeth and the number of aligners needed to achieve your desired result will influence the final price, and we’ll also discuss how we can use your insurance or financing to make treatment easily affordable.
Invisalign FAQs
Does getting Invisalign hurt?
Your mouth may feel a bit sore when you first start Invisalign or switch to a new set of trays. Don’t worry—this means it’s working! The trays are applying pressure to move your teeth. Fortunately, any discomfort is usually mild and goes away within a day or so. You can take OTC medication to help with the adjustment if needed. One trick is to put on your new trays right before you go to bed so that your mouth uses the time you’re asleep to get used to them, helping you “fast forward” through the transition.
How long does Invisalign take?
The length of Invisalign treatment varies depending on the starting position of your teeth and how well they respond. On average, it takes about 12-18 months—much faster than traditional metal braces, which typically take two to three years. After your exam and consultation with Dr. Kirk or Dr. Foster, they’ll be able to give you a more precise timeline.
Will I need to wear a retainer after using Invisalign?
Yes! A retainer will help maintain your newly straightened teeth. Without one, they could slowly shift back to their original positions. Typically, patients wear their retainer full-time immediately after finishing Invisalign. After a few months, they can transition to wearing it only at night.
What happens if I lose an Invisalign tray?
No need to worry—this happens more often than you’d think! Just give our team a call, and we’ll guide you on what to do next. Depending on where you are in your treatment, you may need to wear your previous set of trays or move on to the next set a bit early. If a replacement is necessary, we’ll get one to you as soon as possible, and there won’t be any extra cost since replacement trays are already included in your treatment plan.