The world of orthodontia has definitely taken a turn for the better. Never again will you need to be embarrassed to show off your smile while wearing braces!
Invisalign has become the darling of the dental world, and celebrities are at the top of the list of those clamoring to wear them. Since public image, and the ability to look good in a close-up, is vital to the survival of the careers of public figures, anything that will improve their looks while not drawing negative attention is always sought. They definitely do not want to be caught dead in metal braces! So chic, even celebrities like actress Kathryn Heigl and supermodel Giselle Bundchen think they are “cool” and have been photographed while secretly wearing
Invisalign, while no one was the wiser. It’s been widely rumored that Tom Cruise and even Oprah have worn Invisalign (Rumored, since no one could tell they had them on!). With
Invisalign, their smile is always ready for a close-up, even while wearing braces!
Invisalign is not just for the rich and famous. Although celebrities are the most photographed, and probably the most vain, everyone wants to be attractive and have the self-confidence that comes with a beautiful smile. The corporate executive wants to be confident that he or she looks their best when confronting a room full of board members. The soccer mom wants to look good so her family will be proud to show her off to friends. Teenagers, who already have enough angst in their lives, don’t want the humiliation of ridicule from wearing metal braces. And of course, the single man or woman does not want to tackle the grueling world of dating while they have metal appliances in their mouth – it takes a lot of the romance away. Hundreds of thousands of “everyday” people, since
Invisalign’s invention in 1997, can attest to the wonders of this remarkable advance in technology.
How it works
Although the Invisalign aligners are not for everyone, over 80% of people can wear them. Only your dentist can determine that for certain, and the first step would be an evaluation of your needs and personal circumstances. After a 3-D computerized analysis is completed, treatment goals are established for your individual situation. Your unique situation will determine the type of treatment course to take. The Express treatment course is structured for those with lesser problems and a shortened program. You may only need 10 aligners or less, with less overall time to make the corrections. The Regular treatment where you will wear your clear, plastic aligners for approximately 23 hours a day from 2-24 months. Approximately every two weeks, after your teeth have fit perfectly into the spacers, you will replace those aligners with new ones – and the process will continue. Every six weeks you will meet with your dentist to have your progress checked. During the intervals you will have the flexibility of removing the aligners to eat, drink coffee or alcohol, brushing, flossing – and for a romantic interlude if you want. Keep in mind that the longer you wear your spacers the more effective they will be.
It’s all about the 5 C’s
There are numerous advantages to wearing the clear Invisalign aligners. The five main ones are:
Confidence – appearance/self-esteem
Comfort – painless
Concealment – invisibility
Culture – lifestyle
Cost – affordability
Confidence
People who have crooked, gaps or other noticeable and unsightly tooth problems usually are self-conscious. They cover up their mouths with their hands, biting their lips, or avoiding smiles altogether. Some are mistaken for rude or shy, and often are avoided by others. A mouth with straight teeth allows them to open up and exude the confidence and positive self-image they have been without. A person with a bright and open smile makes a good impression, and opens doors to some remarkable opportunities that may not have been available before. You can be assured that your needs will be diagnosed and treated by experts in their field. Imagecare Dental dentist are Dr. Steve Thompson is a Certified Invisalign Provider. He has performed over 50,000 cosmetic procedures, has over 10 years of experience in traditional orthodontics, and four years of advanced training experience in aesthetics, TMJ and bite correction. They also provide conventional braces treatment, if that is what is needed.
Comfort
The Invisalign braces are nearly painless. Although there may be a slight discomfort at the beginning, they are nowhere near as painful as old-fashioned metal braces. You will not experience the ulcerated gums, wires poking into your skin, or rubber bands snapping in your mouth. There also is the advantage of fewer appointments needed with the Invisalign. What would have taken two years with traditional braces can often be accomplished in far less time with the clear spacers, and with fewer visits to the dentist to disrupt your schedule.
Concealment
Since Invisalign is comprised of two clear aligners – one on top and one on the bottom, they are virtually camouflaged in your mouth. You can wear them at work, or play, and unless you point them out to someone will usually not be detected. You also can avoid the mental anguish and embarrassment associated with wearing metal braces – and the cruel remarks passing as jokes when someone draws attention to you with terms like “metal mouth,” “tin grin,” or “braceface.” Some people do not want others to know they are wearing braces, for whatever reason. With Invisalign your privacy is concealed. You only have to expose your secret if you want to.
Culture
There is no disruption of your lifestyle while undergoing treatment. You do not have to remove your Invisalign braces to work out at the gym, or even speak in public. You do not have to avoid certain food or drink, can speak without slurring, and can take them out if you absolutely need to for special occasions. You take the plastic aligners out when you eat, drink and brush your teeth. There is no worry that food will get caught in these braces, and you can eat apples, caramel and other sticky foods without anything getting caught in wires. Even kiss another person without sticking them with your braces is not a worry with Invisalign.
Cost
In the long run, your particular plan of treatment will determine the cost. With Invisalign you can almost guarantee that you will be saved years of time and pain, and possibly thousands of dollars. Your dentist and his staff will work with you to fit your plan into your budget. For those patients in need of assistance, financing through CreditCare, a third-party health care financing company that offers monthly payments, with no annual fees, prepayment penalties or upfront costs is available. It’s also possible that your insurance company covers your orthodontic treatment – and Imagecare Dental will be happy to do the paperwork for you.
Teen Treatment
Since teens are especially vulnerable to ridicule and peer pressure, the Invisalign offers so many positive alternative to traditional braces the possibility of their use can’t be ignored. The fact that celebrities think they are “cool” is definitely a plus, but nothing is more important than making vital corrections to dental health early, while the cost is less and vital adjustments are made before any damage from incoming wisdom teeth or jaw problems go untreated. As an added bonus for parents, six free spacers are included in your teen’s course of treatment, and a special blue button is inserted in a teen’s spacers that will allow the dentist to keep track of whether the teen is complying with the treatment, or not. This will help keep the treatment on track, and ensure the parent’s investment. More information about Invisalign clear braces here
