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The thought of having a beautifully aligned smile is a great incentive for undergoing orthodontic treatment. With clear aligner therapy, you can avoid the discomfort and embarrassment of wearing clunky metal braces to straighten teeth. Through the use of clear aligners for teeth, Dr. Rajni Kapoor can make your dream smile a reality. These FAQs from Mirage Family Dentistry in Yorktown, Virginia, provide greater insight into the uses and benefits of clear aligner therapy.
The use of clear, plastic aligners distinguishes clear aligner therapy like Invisalign from traditional braces. When worn, these aligners slowly and methodically shift crooked teeth into a straighter position. Dr. Kapoor will start by evaluating your teeth to understand better the problems that need to be addressed. Then, we’ll take impressions of your teeth to create a series of customized aligners for your use. You’ll wear these aligners for 20–22 hours daily, removing them only for eating, brushing, flossing, and occasional special events. You’ll change your aligners to a new set in your series every few weeks to continue the adjustment process until your treatment is complete.
As Invisalign aligners are removable, we don’t recommend eating while in use. In fact, you should only drink water when wearing your aligners to avoid staining them. Removing your aligners for eating makes mealtimes more enjoyable and allows for a varied diet throughout your treatment.
Most teens and adults can benefit from Invisalign clear aligner therapy. Invisalign has a high success rate for correcting minor to moderate problems with crooked or misaligned teeth, overcrowding, gaps between teeth, and malocclusion. You may need traditional metal braces treatment for severe misalignments or malocclusion issues.
Treatments vary in length depending on the problems that need to be fixed. On average, patients achieve their smile goals between 12 and 18 months after starting treatment. After assessing the issues that need addressing, Dr. Kapoor can estimate how long it will take to achieve your smile goals. As your treatment progresses, you’re bound to notice the positive changes in your smile, even before completing your treatment.
Invisalign aligners are easy to care for and clean. Caring for your aligners will keep them in good shape throughout your treatment. One way to keep your aligners fresh and clean is to brush your teeth diligently after every meal. This keeps food from sticking to your aligners. You can also wash your aligners with lukewarm water and brush them gently with a soft toothbrush before returning them to your mouth after eating. As the aligners can stain, you may want to remove them for drinking coffee, soda, wine, or tea.
To benefit from all that clear aligner orthodontics offers in perfecting your smile, contact our team at Mirage Family Dentistry in Yorktown, VA, at (757) 856-5545.
Dr. Rajni Kapoor, DDS, is a highly skilled and compassionate dentist with over 20 years of experience. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Dental Sciences in 1998 in India, followed by a DDS from NYU College of Dentistry in 2013. Dedicated to personalized patient care, Dr. Kapoor founded Mirage Family Dentistry after gaining valuable experience in corporate dentistry. She is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and holds memberships in the American Dental Association (ADA), Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and other prestigious organizations. Dr. Kapoor’s commitment to continuous learning ensures she provides comprehensive, cutting-edge dental care with integrity and compassion.