Invisalign treatment from Cowlitz River Dental near Longview, WA gives patients straight smiles comfortably and invisibly. Learn the details about life with Invisalign.
Curious about orthodontic treatment with Invisalign clear aligners? Longview, WA dentist L. Blaine Kennington evaluates candidates for these invisible braces at Cowlitz River Dental, giving them details of how Invisalign works and what to expect on a day to day basis.
What exactly is Invisalign?
Your Castle Rock dentist delivers Invisalign clear aligners to older teens and adults with mild to moderate orthodontic problems. Custom-made according to Dr. Kennington’s specific instructions, Invisalign aligners straighten teeth comfortably over the course of 9 to 15 months on average–a shorter time than traditional metal wire and bracket braces.
Patients receive 18 to 30 pairs of BPA-free aligners and change them out every 2 weeks or so according to the individualized treatment plan. Teeth gradually move into healthier and better looking positions.
Patients must wear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day but can remove them for eating, brushing, flossing and special occasions such as professional presentations, weddings, proms and the like. Dr. Kennington sees patients at Cowlitz River Dental every 4 to 6 weeks for progress checks. However, there are no lengthy and painful adjustments as with traditional metal braces.
What do patients say about Invisalign?
Patients report they are pleased with the unobtrusiveness of their aligners and also with the results. In general, they also say that Invisalign treatment near Longview, WA is practically painless.
Additionally, teens and adults stress that a certain amount of patient diligence helps treatment to be successful. They offer these tips regarding life as an Invisalign patient:
- Wear the aligners for the prescribed time. This is critical; otherwise treatment will take longer.
- While average treatment time is about a year, sometimes additional aligners are added to the end of a treatment plan for optimal results.
- Hygiene is important for the health of teeth and gums. Brush and floss after each meal, and wash the aligners with soap and water (not abrasive toothpaste) before placing them back in the mouth.
- Speech does change a bit when wearing aligners but improves with practice and time.
- Expect to wear a retainer long-term after treatment is completed. A retainer prevents tooth drift and allows patients to enjoy their newly refurbished smiles.
- Enjoy the healthy foods you always have. Invisalign does not restrict your diet in the way traditional braces do. So munch away on celery, pizza crust and other foods off limits to people with metal, ceramic and lingual braces.
- Don’t be disappointed if Dr. Kennington says Invisalign will not work for you. Trust his skill and expertise in choosing the right appliances and treatment plan for your healthy, attractive smile.
Arrange a consultation
Contact Cowlitz River Dental for a detailed orthodontic evaluation. Bring your questions about Invisalign clear aligners and how they could change your smile’s health and aesthetics.