In Lake Forest, IL, Invisalign is the way to go for adults and teens to straighten their teeth without metal braces. We have a lot of experience using this clear aligner system at Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry. More and more people are finding out how easy and private Invisalign is during orthodontic treatment so it’s becoming more popular.
We know many of our adult patients have to look professional all the time. You can correct your teeth with clear aligners while going to important meetings, social events and doing everyday things without feeling self conscious about your braces. Most people won’t even notice you’re wearing aligners so you can smile freely the whole time you’re in treatment.
The first step in the Invisalign process is a consultation where we look at your teeth and talk about your treatment goals. With advanced digital scanning equipment we can get exact pictures of where your teeth are right now so we don’t have to make messy traditional impressions. This digital method lets us build a personalized treatment plan that shows you exactly how your teeth will move and what your smile will look like when it’s done.
Each set of custom aligners is made with cutting edge technology just for your teeth. The aligners use controlled pressure on the teeth to slowly move them into place over time. At each appointment you’ll get multiple sets of aligners. These should last you between 6-10 weeks between visits. That means you don’t have to come in as often as you would with traditional braces which makes treatment easier for people with busy schedules.
For Invisalign to work the patient must work with the dentist. We recommend that you wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day, take a break only for meals, liquids other than water and to brush your teeth. Wearing your aligners consistently ensures your teeth move on schedule and helps prevent treatment from being delayed. Most people get used to wearing aligners fast and say they are comfortable all day. One of the best things about clear aligner treatment is you can eat whatever you want while you’re in treatment. Before meals and snacks just take out your aligners, wash your teeth and put them back in. You can eat all your favorite meals without worrying about breaking brackets or wires. A lot of patients love this part of treatment, especially around holidays.
We recommend that you use your aligners for at least 22 hours a day, but you can take a break only for meals, to clean your aligners.