Invisalign Clear Aligners
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment system that gives you beautiful, straight teeth without traditional metal braces.
Instead, we use clear plastic aligners to move your teeth into the correct alignment gradually. Invisalign many of the same alignment problems as traditional braces, from crooked teeth to dental bite issues.
You should wear your aligners at night and throughout the day, removing them only for meals and brushing and flossing. They are virtually invisible, and most people will never know that you are wearing them.
Invisalign is available for both teenagers and adults. Average treatment times are 12 to 18 months, but everyone starts with different needs, so your treatment time may be longer or shorter. Our dentist will work with you to create your customized plan and keep you informed of your progress.
Why Choose Invisalign?
Invisalign has numerous advantages over traditional braces:
- Traditional braces require appointments to tighten the wires and check the condition of the braces. With Invisalign, you just switch to the next set of aligners in the order of treatment laid out by your dentist.
- Braces can leave permanent marks on your teeth, and even with good oral hygiene, plaque can develop around brackets and damage tooth enamel.
- Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign allows you to eat any foods you want without restrictions.
- The wires of traditional braces can poke at your mouth and cause pain and even injury. A broken wire often means an additional visit to your dentist or orthodontist.
Who Is a Candidate for Invisalign?
Are you concerned about crooked teeth? Do you have a prominent overbite or underbite?
Invisalign can treat these common problems and many others, including:
- Protruding teeth
- Wide gaps
- Uneven spacing
- Crowding
- Overbite
- Crossbite
Caring for Invisalign
It is easy to practice good oral hygiene habits during Invisalign. Remove the aligners and brush and floss your teeth as usual. Brush your aligners and rinse with warm water or use the Invisalign cleaning kit to keep your aligners in good shape and free from bacteria.
Never use hot water to rinse or clean your aligners, as it can warp the plastic. You should also call our office if you crack or damage your aligner in any other way. A cracked aligner will not correctly move your teeth and impede your progress.
You should always brush your teeth following a meal and before placing your aligners back in your mouth. If you don't brush, bacteria become trapped against your teeth, and your aligners can become stained or damaged.
Please contact our office to find out more information. We are happy to schedule a consultation appointment to find out whether Invisalign is a good option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your dentist recommends scaling and root planing (SRP), it means you have symptoms of gum disease or periodontal disease. Dental deep cleaning is necessary to stop the damaging effects of this disease.
We all have tiny, open spaces between our teeth and gums, which dentists call a sulcus. Bacteria, plaque, and calculus can build up in these areas over time and become problematic if not removed through brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings. When this happens, the gums become swollen, the spaces get deeper, and bacteria make their way further and further down into the gums. A healthy sulcus is less than 3 mm deep, while greater depth suggests a problem. Your dentist will check the depth of the area using a special probe.
When bacteria create an infection in the gums, it’s called gingivitis. If it isn’t severe, regular dental cleaning and more rigorous dental hygiene can correct it. If the bacteria reach deep into the gums, an infection can damage the underlying structures, like the tooth root, attached ligaments, and the bone. This is periodontal disease, and it can cause tooth loss and other health problems if it’s not addressed.
Meet Our Dentist:
Dr. Elyce Millery DDS
Dr. Millery grew up in Rockville, Maryland, and received her bachelor's degree in Nutritional Science from the University of Maryland College Park. She worked as a dental assistant before attending dental school. After earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, she relocated to Hanover, Maryland, with her husband and decided to open a private practice in 2018.
In addition to her formal education, Dr. Millery continues to study dentistry. She actively pursues at least 50 hours annually of continuing education in numerous topics, ...