August 26, 2022 by developer 0 Comments

7 things you should know about Invisalign

Many people feel self-conscious about having crooked or misaligned teeth. While wearing orthodontics will realign your teeth, traditional braces made from wire and metal tend to stand out. This can make you feel even more self-conscious about your smile — especially if you are getting braces as an adult.  

Invisalign is an inconspicuous solution for straightening teeth as the treatment uses removable plastic trays to realign teeth. You get the benefit of a straighter smile without looking like you are wearing braces.  

If you are considering starting Invisalign, here are 7 things you should know before you start. 

1. For best results, keep your trays in as much as possible 

 Invisalign uses clear trays to realign your teeth. Although these trays are transparent, they are still somewhat noticeable and will take some getting used to. As a new wearer you may be self-conscious about people looking at your mouth or taking your retainers out to eat in public.  

 While your trays may take a few weeks to get used to, you should wear them as much as possible. The more you wear your trays, the faster your teeth will realign. You’ll also start to notice them less (and so will other people) if you wear them constantly. In general, you should only take your trays out if you are eating, drinking or brushing your teeth. 

2. You may have a speech impediment at the beginning of treatment 

 Invisalign is much less noticeable than traditional wire braces. However, when you first start wearing your trays you may speak with a lisp. This is because the tray alters the way your tongue can move against your teeth which impacts your speech. 

 Make sure you don’t take your trays out to speak, especially in the early days of getting them fitted. The more you practice speaking with them in, the faster your lisp will disappear. 

3. Invisalign treatment length can vary 

 There’s no guarantee that Invisalign will be faster for realigning your teeth than traditional braces. Some people only have to wear their trays for one year, while others have to wear theirs for much longer. It all depends on what your teeth are like and how much work it will take to get them into alignment.  

 Your dentist will be able to tell you how long they expect your treatment to last. The good thing about this treatment is the transparent trays make it easier than traditional braces to see how much progress your smile has made. Provided you wear your trays enough, you’ll be presented with new trays every two weeks to bring your teeth into the correct position. Failure to wear your trays enough will impact the length of your treatment.  

4. You’ll need to be dedicated to your dental care 

 Traditional braces come with some downsides — such as forcing the wearer to avoid certain foods, and making it difficult to floss. Invisalign are far easier to care for than wire braces, but you’ll still need to look after your teeth and your trays during treatment. 

 With Invisalign, every time you eat food you will need to brush and floss your teeth. If you don’t, food particles will end up coating your trays and teeth in plaque and sugars. You’ll need to put aside a few extra minutes after you eat when you are out at school or work. Putting together a dental care kit that you can take on-the-go can help make this feel more effortless. 

 As well as cleaning your teeth after every meal, you’ll need to look after your aligners too. Cleaning is relatively easy. All you need to do is clean them with a toothbrush using your regular toothpaste. 

5. Your eating and drinking habits will need to change 

 While using Invisalign does not require any food restrictions like traditional braces, there are still some changes like traditional braces do, there are still some changes you’ll need to make to your eating and drinking habits. First of all, you’ll need to take your trays out before you eat any food. It can be a good idea to always bring a napkin, paper towel or cloth with you while you’re having lunch. You can easily wipe away any saliva that comes off your trays as you remove them to eat.  

 You may notice that your mouth is dryer than usual after wearing Invisalign trays. This is because the trays feel like a foreign object, and when first fitted tight trays can cause swelling and irritation. Your body may respond by producing less saliva. Drinking water regularly will help to alleviate the feeling of dry mouth. It will also help you avoid bad breath.  

 6. You’ll need to wear a retainer after treatment 

 Just like traditional braces, you will need to wear a retainer at night after your Invisalign treatment has finished. A retainer helps keep your teeth straight for the rest of your life by preventing them from being able to move back into their old positions. Without a retainer, your teeth may move slightly and undo some of the hard work you’ve paid for. 

 The good news is, wearing a retainer is exactly like wearing an Invisalign tray. You’ll already be comfortable wearing one at night and you’ll know exactly how to care for it.  

7. You may need adjustments to your teeth before Invisalign treatment 

 With any type of orthodontics, work sometimes needs to be done on your teeth before any treatment can be started. If your mouth is crowded, your dentist may recommend having a tooth or teeth removed so that your teeth can move back comfortable into the space created. If your teeth are too big you may need them filed down in some places for a better fit of your retainer.  

 If you are interested in straightening your teeth and want to avoid the look of traditional braces, Invisalign could be for you. Talk to the friendly team at Gentle Dental today about treatment options. Book a consultation now.

December 6, 2021 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

Braces 101: What to Expect When Getting Braces

The short space of time you will wear braces for is worth a lifetime of having a great smile and well-aligned teeth. To prepare yourself for getting braces, we’ve put together this blog post which covers everything you should know about your orthodontic journey.  

Before getting braces

Braces don’t just improve the look of your smile. Braces are often recommended by a dentist to correct teeth, jaw, and bite alignment issues and improve the oral health of your teeth.  

Before getting braces, there may be some dental work you need to have done first. This could include getting teeth removed so that your teeth are not impacting others during the straightening process.  

Your dentist should talk you through what dental work needs to be done before you get braces. At Gentle Dental, we aim to only remove teeth if it is absolutely necessary to the patient. 

Your dentist should also have a rough timeline for how long you will need to have braces for your teeth to shift into position. Most patients need to have braces for around 18-24 months. One of the benefits of having braces as a teenager is treatment is generally faster than in adults. If you have the option to get braces in your teens, we recommend doing so.  

What to expect at your orthodontics consultation

Your dentist will schedule an initial consultation to listen to your concerns and what you want to achieve by having orthodontic treatment. After the examination they should discuss their findings with you and recommend some options to correct the problem. At this stage, your dentist should discuss how much braces cost, length of braces treatment, and answer any questions you may have about the process.  

 At Gentle Dental, once the consultation process is complete, we take digital scans, photographs and x-rays of your teeth for diagnosis and treatment planning. 

What to expect while getting your braces on

Getting braces is a relatively painless experience. During the appointment your dentist glues brackets onto each tooth and places a wire along them to start gently straightening your teeth. Some metal braces allowed for colours to be included around the metal bracket on each tooth. Braces colours come in many shades and are a fun option for kids and teenagers. 

The process of getting braces is usually completed in an hour or less. You may feel some pressure on your teeth for the first few days after getting braces fitted.  

You will usually have consistent appointments throughout the next 18-24 months to check and tighten your braces. Your teeth may feel a little tender after each tightening appointment.  

What to expect while having braces

Braces are a commitment and it’s important that the patient follows the dentist’s instructions on teeth cleaning and care. Failure to follow proper orthodontic care could prolong the length of your treatment. 

You may need to adjust the foods you eat after getting braces. Very soft and very hard foods can be a problem, for different reasons: 

  • Soft foods – like white bread and popcorn – can easily get stuck in your braces and are hard to remove.  
  • Hard, or sticky foods – like toffee, jerky, chewing gum – can actually dislodge the metal brackets on your braces. 

Brushing your teeth is very important when you have braces. Food can easily become stuck in the brackets and wires of your teeth so it’s important that you brush thoroughly twice a day.  

Carrying a small toothbrush with you when you are out of the house is a good idea. This will help clean your teeth if you get food lodged between the braces while you are at school or work. 

What to expect while getting your braces removed

Congratulations on getting through your braces journey! When the day comes to get your braces removed you may find your teeth feel weird and slightly slimy. That’s usually just because you’re not used to the feeling of smooth teeth. You should get used to not having them on fairly quickly. 

  • Getting your braces removed is not a painful experience. Your dentist will use tools to remove the brackets from your teeth and buff off any glue that remains on the surface of your teeth. 
  • You may be given a post-treatment plan which involves using a mouthguard at night. Make sure you wear it every night as your teeth may still move in the years after your treatment. 
  • If you have a metal bar paced behind your teeth, take extra care to brush and floss behind it. There are special types of floss that can be inserted behind the teeth for a better flossing experience.  

Knowing what to expect before you get braces makes the experience easier. At Gentle Dental, we do gentle braces and use state-of-the-art technology to make the process as comfortable as possible. If you are interested in discussing orthodontics, book your appointment here. 

November 21, 2021 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

Invisalign: Frequently asked questions

Invisalign can be a great alternative to braces especially for adults as their clear and removable aligners are far less noticeable than traditional metal braces. Invisalign works by using custom made aligners to move your teeth into place. These aligners are changed out every two weeks for a new set. These removable aligners are practically invisible and less conspicuous than braces.

Invisalign is the market leader in clear aligner braces. If you have been considering Invisalign here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign uses clear aligners that are customized and are robotically made to fit your teeth. At Gentle Dental we use 3D digital scanning technology to ensure the aligners fit perfectly. Our custom-made aligners are made in the US and are shipped to us for use.

Invisalign liners gently reposition your teeth into alignment by using a slightly tighter tray every two weeks. These trays can be removed to eat and can be easily cleaned.

How does Invisalign move your teeth?

Braces and Invisalign both work by putting pressure on the teeth to move them into the correct position. While traditional braces use wires and brackets to create pressure, Invisalign uses custom aligners that are just tight enough to pressure the teeth into moving.

This is why the aligning trays need to be changed every few weeks. Over time your teeth move enough to fit the new trays comfortably which means it’s now time to get a tighter tray to continue the alignment of the teeth.

Is Invisalign cheaper than braces?

No. Invisalign is not cheaper than traditional braces. Generally, the cost of Invisalign is determined by how many aligning trays you require. Invisalign can sometimes be twice as expensive as traditional braces. However, most people choose Invisalign for the look and feel of the treatment.

It’s not uncommon for people who have had braces in the past to re-correct their teeth with Invisalign. Invisalign can be a good option for people who are looking for a small correction to the alignment of their teeth and don’t have major misalignment issues.

What is better braces or Invisalign?

There is no major difference between the end result of your smile when choosing between braces or Invisalign. Braces can be a better option for teenagers and young adults as they are permanent, and some parents don’t want the added hassle of having to remind their children to wear their aligners.

Many adults choose Invisalign as they are transparent and they like that they are removable. However, Invisalign will work faster if the trays are worn consistently. Some people will find their Invisalign journey takes longer than expected because they aren’t wearing their aligners as much as they should. Consider whether you will wear your aligners for the prescribed amount of time before committing to Invisalign.

Braces can also be a better option for severely misaligned or overlapping teeth. Your dentist will be able to tell you whether Invisalign is right for your smile.  Check out our blog post on the pros of cons of braces and Invisalign here for an in-depth comparison.

Is Invisalign bad for your teeth?

No, Invisalign is not bad for your teeth. In some cases, braces are a better option, or a combination of braces and Invisalign may be recommended.

Which is better: Smile Direct or Invisalign?

As highly qualified dentists we always recommend that you see a dentist in person for any teeth realignment procedures. Services like Smile Direct rely on the patient to keep track of their progress which means misalignment issues have a higher chance of occurring.

Furthermore, a dentist may sometimes recommend the removal of teeth to ensure that once you start your braces or Invisalign treatment, your teeth won’t become overcrowdedx in your mouth. Smile Direct may be a better option for small realignment issues.

If you are interested in exploring whether Invisalign is the right option for your smile, book in now to see one of our highly qualified dentists and we can talk you through a treatment plan.