Straighten Your Smile Without Painful Braces
Having a straight smile is more than a source of confidence, it can make all the difference in your oral health. In the past, traditional braces were the only solution to orthodontic issues but with advances in dental technology, expert dentists in Waterford, MI like Dr. Sheehan can provide an alternative solution with Invisalign® treatment. Invisalign are easy-to-use, removable clear aligners that are custom-made for increased comfort.
Whether your teeth are crooked, gapped, crowded, or you have a misaligned bite, Invisalign can straighten your smile and adjust your bite to perfection. If you’re a Michigan resident of Shelby, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, or the surrounding areas seeking a comfortable and discreet alternative to braces, Invisalign® may be the dental alignment solution best for you.
How Aligners Compare With Braces
Because traditional braces consist of metal wires and brackets, they can easily break, leading to complications with dental hygiene and dietary restrictions. Invisalign, however, utilizes cutting-edge technology to eliminate the time and hassle it takes to align your teeth and transform your smile.
Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners are completely removable. However, the trays should be worn for 20 to 22 hours each day to ensure maximum results. Invisalign aligners work by gradually shifting your teeth into the correct alignment, and can be completed up to two times faster than braces. After getting your first pair of custom-made aligners, you’ll receive a new set every two weeks until your treatment is complete.
Compared to metal braces, the Invisalign treatment is one of the most comfortable orthodontic treatments available. When you start wearing a new set of aligners, it’s likely you’ll feel slight pressure and discomfort as your teeth adjust to wearing them. However, any soreness will subside within a day or two.
Benefits of Invisalign Treatment
With Invisalign, Dr. Sheehan and our Waterford dental team can help straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. There are many advantages to choosing Invisalign, including:
- Practically invisible — Aligners are nearly invisible, so people won’t even know you’re wearing them
- Increased comfort —The thin, flexible material of the aligners are customized for maximum comfort
- Completely removable — Invisalign treatment doesn’t require metal braces or wires, so you can still enjoy all of your favorite foods
- Improved oral hygiene —The aligners allow you to clean your teeth much easier than if you were wearing metal braces
- Faster treatment time — Invisalign straightens teeth up to two times faster than traditional braces
Certified Diamond+ Top 1% Invisalign Provider
At Oakland Family Dental, we can assure you there’s never been a better time to straighten your teeth with the most advanced clear aligners in the world.
Dr. Amanda Sheehan is a certified Diamond+ Top 1% Invisalign Provider, which means she has successfully treated more than 800 total patients, along with a continuous 200 patients a year using clear aligners. Her extensive skills and experience allow her to treat a wider variety of orthodontic cases with Invisalign and Invisalign Teen.
Beginning Your Invisalign Process
The first step to your perfect smile is scheduling a consultation with Dr. Sheehan. If Invisalign is right for you, we’ll take a 3D image of your teeth and gums to create a custom set of aligners to match the shape of your unique bite. Your new aligners will be masterfully crafted using 3D printing and SmartTrack® material.
With the Invisalign system, there’s no need to make uncomfortable molds of your teeth. Our advanced dental technology allows you to view your own treatment plan before you start, so you can see how your teeth will look before the process is complete. Invisalign also uses these 3D images to monitor the progress of each individual tooth over the course of your treatment.
Higher Level of Customization
Unlike other clear aligner brands, Invisalign® is incredibly comfortable and is precision-trimmed to ensure the aligners don’t cut your gums during use. Each set of new aligners is made just for you and provides your smile with ultimate accuracy as it transforms.
Other clear aligner treatments don’t always have the expertise of a dentist to help guide you through your treatment. In the case of a complication, you can easily come into our Waterford office and have our team examine your progress.
At Oakland Family Dental, we want to ensure your smile goals are realized. Prior to treatment, we will conduct an iTero scan to not only show you your potential smile but also to ensure your treatment is developing according to plan.
Caring For Your Aligners
Taking care of your Invisalign trays is easy and simple. Each morning and night, you should take out your Invisalign trays and thoroughly clean both your teeth and aligners. Rinse your trays with water, antibacterial soap, and a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent a buildup of plaque and harmful bacteria. It’s important to avoid cleaning your aligners with hot water as extreme temperatures can cause the plastic to deform. Also, don’t forget to soak your aligners once a day and rinse them before putting them back into your mouth.
With Invisalign aligners, you can eat all of your favorite foods as long as you remove them for each snack or meal. This will prevent your aligners from getting misshaped or stained. Remember to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth before putting them back on.
It’s best to only drink plain water while wearing Invisalign to prevent staining your aligners. You can drink whatever else you’d like as long as you first remove your aligners. You can drink alcohol, including red wine, dark beer, and other darker beverages like cranberry juice, but it’s important to clean your teeth before putting the tray back in your mouth. If you don’t, your aligners could become sticky. It’s also important that you avoid drinking hot coffee or tea with your Invisalign trays in. Due to their hot temperature, these beverages can change the shape of your aligners and impede on your treatment. Brushing your teeth before putting your aligners in to make sure your aligners don’t become stained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove my braces and get Invisalign?
Yes, it’s possible to switch from traditional metal braces to Invisalign clear aligners. However, this may not be an option for some patients, depending on their unique situation.
If you wear braces and are curious about getting Invisalign, it’s best to schedule a consultation with your Waterford orthodontist so we can examine your teeth and determine if Invisalign treatment will work for you.
How long does it take to straighten teeth with Invisalign?
Treatment time with Invisalign will vary for each patient, but typically it will take 12 to 18 months to straighten your teeth. In some cases, Invisalign can take as little as six months.
Each aligner is worn for one to two weeks, and you’ll pick up a new set of aligners every six to eight weeks. This process will continue until your teeth are properly aligned.
Can I do Invisalign without a dentist?
The Invisalign system is only available through certified providers, such as dentists or orthodontists. Treatment through a dentist’s office ensures your smile is safe and going according to plan throughout the whole process.
While there are at-home aligners that have become available recently, they’re not recommended because they can lead to serious oral health risks. Virtual aligner check-up appointments can’t provide a thorough enough examination to detect potential problems.
Is Invisalign covered by insurance?
Coverage for Invisalign varies depending on your dental insurance plan and provider. For more details about your Invisalign coverage, we recommend contacting your provider directly.
If you’re concerned about fitting Invisalign treatment into your budget, our office offers a variety of financing options. We accept a variety of payment options and work with CareCredit, a financing company that can break the cost of treatment into affordable monthly payments. You can also use an FSA or HSA to pay for Invisalign, which are both used to fund medical expenses.
Request Your Free Invisalign Consult Today
Your dream smile is within reach when you visit Dr. Sheehan, your proud Invisalign Platinum Provider in Waterford, MI. At Oakland Family Dental, we pride ourselves on bringing the most out of our patient’s smiles. Our Michigan dentist can help patients in Shelby, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, and the surrounding areas achieve a straight, healthy smile with Invisalign aligners. Dr. Sheehan is dedicated to working with you in order to find the dental alignment solution that meets your specific needs.
If you’d like to learn more about Invisalign® or any of our other treatments, please call our Waterford office at (248) 674-0384 to schedule your complimentary Invisalign consultation with Dr. Sheehan. If you prefer one of our expert team members to reach out to you, click the button to the right to fill out our convenient online contact form.