Invisalign – Sandy, UT
Straighten Your Smile Without the Metal
In addition to providing general and cosmetic dentistry, our team is also equipped to offer orthodontic treatments, including Invisalign clear aligners. So, if you want to straighten your teeth without noticeable brackets and wires, schedule a consultation at our dental office in Sandy! You can also read on to learn more about this orthodontic treatment, including some of the reasons more than 17 million patients have chosen it.
Why Choose Taylor Dental Care for Invisalign?
- Top-Rated Dental Office in the Area
- Dental Insurance Welcome
- Morning, Lunchtime, and Afternoon Hours
How Invisalign Works
In short, Invisalign is a series of trays made from digital impressions. They are designed to be worn for 20+ hours a day and for 1-2 weeks at a time, which ensures that continuous pressure is placed on your teeth to guide them into their ideal positions. Every 6-8 weeks, you’ll visit Drs. Michelle and Glenn Taylor of Taylor Dental Care. That way, they can make sure you’re on track with your treatment plan, and, if you are, provide you with the next several sets of aligners.
Who Can Invisalign Help?
Invisalign can correct a variety of orthodontic problems, including overcrowding. So, if you want a straighter smile, but you don’t want to wear metal brackets and wires, you should schedule a consultation with our Sandy dental team! In the meantime, you can read on to learn a little more on the topic of who clear aligners can help.
Crowded Teeth
Do your teeth crowd together to the point that they overlap? If so, you know first-hand the difficulties that come with overcrowding, like trouble smiling confidently. The good news is that Invisalign is usually an option for patients with mild to moderate cases. If we determine that you’re a good candidate during your consultation, then we will begin working on your custom treatment plan right away. Before long, your journey to a straighter smile will officially be underway!
Gaps Between Teeth
While some patients don’t have enough room in their mouths, others are struggling with the opposite problem: there are noticeable gaps in their smiles. If that’s the case for you, schedule a consultation with us. During your visit, we will assess the severity of your case and the health of your smile to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. If you are, then we will have a custom series of clear aligners made to gently and gradually eliminate the spaces between your teeth.
Overbite
Oftentimes, patients assume that Invisalign can’t correct bite problems, like overbites. That’s not the case! In fact, they can correct mild and moderate cases with the help of other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands and buttons. So, don’t just assume that your only option is metal braces; you may be surprised to learn that we can create the same gorgeous results with clear, barely noticeable aligners!
Underbite
When you bite down, do your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones? If so, you likely have an underbite. Unfortunately, this bite problem can lead to everything from trouble chewing properly to low self-esteem. That’s why it’s important to explore your treatment options, like Invisalign, sooner rather than later. If you’re a candidate, then your braces won’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile.
Crossbite
What if only a few of your upper teeth sit behind your lower ones when you bite down? In that case, you may have a crossbite. Although this is a completely different orthodontic problem, it can lead to the same consequences, like trouble smiling confidently. For that reason, we advise against taking the “wait and see” approach. Instead, schedule an appointment at our office so we can discuss Invisalign.
Open Bite
An open bite is when there is an opening between the upper and lower teeth when a patient bites down. It can form for several reasons, including prolonged thumb-sucking. Unfortunately, like the other bite problems listed here, it can have a negative impact on everything from your oral health to your self-esteem. So, don’t wait – schedule an Invisalign consultation with us so we can determine if we can create a healthier bite with clear aligners.
The Benefits of Invisalign
Over two decades since its debut, Invisalign continues to be one of the most sought-after orthodontic treatments. If you are currently in the process of deciding if this clear aligner system is ideal for you, then this next section is for you! In it, we’re covering several noteworthy benefits that come with this teeth-straightening treatment, starting with the fact that the trays won’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile.
The Clear Aligners Are Virtually Undetectable
Of course, one of the most noteworthy benefits of clear aligners is that, unlike traditional braces, they don’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile. So, you won’t have to keep your lips closed when you smile or cover your mouth when you laugh! Instead, you can go through your orthodontic treatment without feeling self-conscious. Plus, you can always remove your aligners for special occasions, like a first date (just make sure that you wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day).
There Aren’t Dietary Restrictions
Another noteworthy perk: you don’t need to completely change your diet. In fact, the only rule pertaining to eating and drinking is that you must remove your aligners beforehand (with the exception of water). Outside of that, just do your best to eat mostly healthy, well-balanced meals and don’t overindulge on cavity-causing foods, like lollipops, potato chips, and ice cream.
It’s Easy to Maintain a Healthy Smile
Oftentimes, patients with traditional braces experience a bit of difficulty brushing and flossing around the brackets and wires. The good news is that Invisalign aligners are removable. So, you don’t need to adopt a cumbersome oral hygiene regimen or buy special products. Just take your aligners off, rinse them with clean, cool water, and place them in their designated case. Then, you can brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like usual.
The Average Treatment Timeline Is Shorter
Typically, it takes between two and three years to achieve the desired results with traditional braces. Invisalign, on the other hand, has an average treatment timeline of only 12-18 months. So, if you want a considerably straighter smile by this time next year, consider this innovative clear aligner treatment!
There Are Fewer Progress Visits
If you have a busy schedule, committing to monthly adjustment appointments may not be feasible. Fortunately, that’s not necessary with Invisalign! You’ll be given several sets of aligners so you can progress through portions of your treatment plan at home. Then, you’ll come to our office every 6-8 weeks so we can make sure your teeth are moving as anticipated.
The Aligners Are Metal-Free
Oftentimes, patients assume that the benefits of metal-free braces begin and end with appearance. That’s not the case; they are also considerably more comfortable. In fact, outside of the occasional discomfort from the movement of your teeth, your journey to a straighter smile will be smooth sailing!
Living with Invisalign Aligners
Whether you just started researching Invisalign or you’re waiting for your clear aligners to arrive, you might be curious what your day-to-day life will look like once you officially begin the teeth-straightening process. We have good news: you’re in the right place! In this next section, we’re covering how often you need to wear your trays, what to do if you accidentally lose one, and more.
Wearing Your Trays
In short, you need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day. Initially, this might seem like an easy goal to meet, but it takes some intention and dedication, especially toward the beginning of your orthodontic treatment. It’s best to only take them off when it’s truly necessary, like before eating your breakfast or brushing your teeth. It’s also a good idea to use the stopwatch on your phone to track your wear time until you find a routine that works for you.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Fortunately, you don’t need anything special or expensive to clean your aligners. Just rinse them with clean, cool water each time you take them off. Then, before you put them back on, gently remove food particles, saliva, and other debris from the surface with a soft-bristle toothbrush and mild dishwashing liquid.
Tip: If your aligners need a deeper clean, don’t use bleach or any other harsh chemicals. Instead, use the cleaning crystals that came in your welcome kit!
Eating & Drinking
Since there aren’t any dietary restrictions with Invisalign, this aspect of orthodontic treatment is pretty easy! Just make sure that you always remove your aligners first (with the exception of water). Outside of that, all we ask is that you don’t overindulge on potato chips, ice cream, and other sugary and starchy snacks since doing so increases your risk of tooth decay.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Whether you can’t find your aligners or you have them, but there is a noticeable crack running down the surface, we recommend contacting our team at Taylor Dental Care. That way, we can look at your treatment plan and determine if it’s best for you to move on to the next set of aligners in the series. If doing so would jeopardize your progress, then we will ask you to wear your previous set while we work on having a replacement made.
Scheduling Progress Visits
Another crucial part of life with Invisalign in Sandy is scheduling (and attending!) the periodic progress visits. These usually happen every 6-8 weeks, and they often last less than 30 minutes. They give us an opportunity to take updated scans of your teeth, monitor their movement, and ensure you’re on track with your treatment plan.
Tip: Schedule your progress visits alongside your biannual checkups and cleanings so you spend less time in the treatment chair overall!
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Although dental insurance providers don’t typically cover the cost of cosmetic dental treatments, they do sometimes cover a portion of the price of Invisalign. So, take the time to read through the fine print on your plan to see if you have any orthodontic benefits. If you don’t, or you are currently uninsured, then ask us about the other financial solutions that are available. Our Dental Membership Plan, for example, comes with a 15% discount on orthodontic treatments.
Invisalign FAQs
Can I Get Invisalign After Braces?
Yes, it’s possible to get Invisalign after braces. In fact, many patients who have experienced orthodontic relapse choose to straighten their teeth with clear aligners! So, if you want to address mild to moderate overcrowding or spacing issues, you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our talented dentists, Dr. Michelle Taylor and Dr. Glenn Taylor. That way, they can determine if you’re a good candidate and, if you are, begin the process of creating your custom treatment plan.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Invisalign usually takes between 12 and 18 months to deliver the desired results. With that said, your teeth-straightening journey may be shorter or longer than that. Once we’ve created your custom treatment plan, we can provide you with a more precise estimate. We’ll also share what you can do to avoid frustrating delays, like switching to each new set of aligners on the correct day and prioritizing your progress visits at our dental office in Sandy.
Can I Drink Coffee During My Invisalign Treatment?
Yes, you can enjoy your morning cup of coffee on your journey to your straighter smile! Just make sure that you remove them first (even with iced coffee). Then, before you put them back on, clean your teeth and your trays so they don’t discolor.
Is There Anyone Who Isn’t a Candidate for Invisalign?
There are some cases where Invisalign isn’t an option – at least not initially. For example, if there is an active infection in your gums, then we will need to eliminate it first. Similarly, if one or more of your teeth are decayed, we will need to provide the necessary restorative care before we can focus on moving them into their ideal positions.
Are There Any Dietary Restrictions with Invisalign?
No. In fact, as long as you remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than Invisalign, you can enjoy all of your favorite foods throughout your orthodontic treatment. Just make sure that you continue to eat mostly healthy, well-balanced meals and limit your intake of sugary treats, like ice cream. That way, your teeth and gums stay healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment.
What Happens After Invisalign?
Once you’ve progressed through your entire series of aligners, we will move on to the next step of the process: the retention phase. This involves taking impressions of your teeth so a custom retainer can be made. At your “final” appointment, we will show you how to take care of it and share how often you need to wear it (which is usually nightly).
Can I Use Toothpaste to Clean My Invisalign Aligners?
No, you should not use toothpaste to clean your Invisalign aligners. Instead, you should use a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to gently remove debris from the surface. You can also soak them for 15 minutes or so each day in a dentist-approved clear aligner solution to help keep them in pristine condition.