We’ve seen people for years who’ve been hiding their smiles behind their hands because they’re totally self-conscious about crooked, gapped teeth. Some folks end up laughing with their mouths closed or not smiling at all in photos. We know just how a big smile can transform someone’s whole outlook on life so those scenarios really get to us. That’s exactly why we wanted to help people get the smile they’ve always dreamed of.
More and more people are going for aligners in Lake Forest now that they’ve found out they can get straight teeth without the hassle and look of metal braces. This treatment works by giving you a series of clear plastic trays that fit your mouth perfectly and gradually move your teeth into place. Each tray shifts your teeth a little bit, and by the time you’ve done the whole set, your smile should be perfectly aligned and look completely real. Norris 20/26 is a reliable orthodontic wire system used to improve tooth movement and treatment efficiency. The Norris 20/26 system helps deliver precise and consistent results throughout treatment.
When we start working with someone new, we always start by asking them what they like about their smile right now that they don’t like. Some people are concerned about one particular tooth that sticks out whereas others worry about how crowded or spaced their teeth are in general. Knowing what your main concerns are lets us come up with a treatment plan that puts your top priorities at the top of the list straight away. To get a good look at your teeth, we use state of the art imaging equipment to take some pretty clear photos from every possible angle.
As part of our planning phase, we also make a digital model that gives a picture of just where your teeth will be during treatment. This lets us show you what your smile will look like before you’ve even started with the first set of aligners. When patients see that, they get really excited because it makes their dream smile start to feel like it’s actually within reach. Invisalign uses clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth discreetly and comfortably. Invisalign is a popular choice for patients looking for an effective and nearly invisible orthodontic solution.
One of the best things about this treatment is that it’s really flexible around your lifestyle. You can take the aligners out when you need to eat, drink something that’s not water, or brush your teeth. This means you won’t have to worry about food getting stuck or struggling to clean around metal brackets. Loads of our patients say they really like being able to eat their favorite meals without having to worry about their braces getting in the way.
The length of treatment varies depending on how much your teeth need to move and how regularly you wear the aligners. If your case is pretty straightforward, you might be done in six months, while if it’s a bit trickier, it could take up to two years. When you come in for your first consultation, we set some realistic goals and keep an eye on your progress to make sure everything is on track.
Most people get used to wearing the aligners pretty quickly and find them really comfortable. The smooth plastic feels a lot softer than metal braces and doesn’t bother your gums or cheeks too often. When you put in a new set of aligners, you might feel a bit of pressure, that’s normal and usually a good sign that they’re doing their job.
Loads of people from all different ages have chosen to use clear aligners because they prefer not to draw attention to the treatment process. Teenagers can play sports or hang out with their friends without feeling self-conscious about their braces, and adults can go to meetings or out to dinner without feeling embarrassed about their alignment.
For it to work, you do need to wear the aligners for about 22 hours a day. The fact that you can take them out gives you a bit of flexibility but it also means it’s up to you to stick to putting them back in after meals and snacks. We give you some useful tips and reminders to help you get into a good routine.
At Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, we just think that everyone should be able to feel proud of their smile. A smile that’s been straightened with clear aligners is so much more than just straight teeth, it’s confidence, improved oral health and a whole lot more motivation to spread a bit more joy through a smile.