Category Archives: Invisalign

Invisalign

Can Invisalign Give Me a Quick Fix?

I’ve had braces in the past when I was younger. Over the years, some mild spaces have developed. As an adult, I do not want to go through braces again. However, I do want to close these spaces. Is there a possibility Invisalign can give me a quick fix on these spaces? There’s a lot to fix on my teeth, but I feel like closing these will give me a good start.

Abby S.

Dear Abby,

Lafayette Invisalign

If you’ve only got some mild spacing issues, then you may be a good candidate for Invisalign Express. That can tighten up your bite in just s few months. However, you mentioned there are other issues about your teeth you’d like to fix. You didn’t mention what they were. If you want to fix everything at once, instead of in little installments, I’d like to suggest porcelain veneers.

Lafayette Porcelain VeneersPorcelain veneers are tiny wafers which can completely remake your smile, changing everything about it. They can simultaneously change the shape, size, and color of your teeth, giving you a stunning smile.

Can Any Dentist Do Invisalign or Porcelain Veneers?

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty. While any dentist is technically allowed to do either procedure, the results you get vary widely from dentist to dentist. With Invisalign, you’ll be safe with pretty much any dentist. The treatment plan is designed by computer. The dentist is there mostly to make certain your teeth and gums stay healthy throughout the treatment.

Porcelain Veneers are completely different. It requires not just advanced skills, but an artistic eye. They’re designing your smile. You want a dentist who’s gone through extensive post-graduate training. I can’t tell you the number of people who’ve ended up coming to Dr. Malone’s office begging him to fix the disastrous smile “makeover” another dentist created. You want to go to a dentist who’ll get it right the first time.

Look for a dentist in your area who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Accredited dentists have passed extensive testing in their cosmetic skills as well as demonstrated artistry on cases they’ve personally designed.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Invisalign

Invisalign Versus Lingual Braces

I’m a professional adult in his forties. My teeth need some work, especially now that I’ve been given the Public Relations position. I will be doing press conferences and speeches. I need to look my best. I’ve been doing some research and it appears I have two very good options to having braces without looking like a prepubescent boy— Invisalign and lingual braces. I’ve gone as far as I can just looking online and wondered if you had some insight into which would be better in my situation.

Samuel

Dear Samuel,

A woman placing in her Invisalign aligners

For those who haven’t done the research you have that are reading this blog, I’m going to give a quick explanation of each, along with their benefits. Then I’ll give my recommendation for your specific case.

Invisalign

These are clear plastic aligners which you slip over your teeth. They’re unnoticeable even at a conversational distance. Many people call them invisible braces. You can see a picture of them above to get an idea of what they look like. Your dentist, using an advanced software program will plan a precise treatment plan for you. Each pair of aligners will move your teeth a little further into their proper alignment. You’ll change out your aligners every two weeks.

Lingual Braces

These are traditional braces, placed behind your teeth so no one can see them. If you remember the old Little House on the Praire episodes, Melissa Gilbert (who played Laura Ingalls) wore them for several years. Her teeth were in desperate need of straightening, but they couldn’t use anything visible to the television audience. As you can see from the show, no one will be able to see them. Their biggest advantage is they can handle some more challenging cases which may not be a candidate for Invisalign.

My Recommendation for You— Invisalign

If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, I’d recommend that. Most adults find it difficult to speak when they have on lingual braces. Their tongues seem drawn to them. Plus, not everyone finds them comfortable. Braces make oral hygiene a bit of a challenge. When you’re talking about braces behind your teeth, there are some additional challenges as well.

With Invisalign, you can remove them. That makes your oral hygiene much simpler. Additionally, if you have a speaking engagement and find it challenging to speak normally, they can be removed while you speak. They tend to work much faster than lingual braces as well.

One other added benefit: You mentioned wanting to improve your smile. Teeth whitening will take years off your appearance. You’re able to do both procedures simultaneously with Invisalign, using the aligners as whitening trays. Then, you’ll have straight, white teeth. You’ll look like a celebrity.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Invisalign

Can Invisalign Straighten My Gums?

I’ve never been happy with my smile. My front teeth are a little crooked and my gums are uneven. I was thinking of getting Invisalign but wondered if it would work for my gums too. I’m a little embarrassed to ask my dentist in case it’s a stupid question.

Bethany

Dear Bethany,

A woman placing in her Invisalign aligners

When it comes to the health of your gums and teeth, there are no stupid questions so never be afraid to ask your dentist anything. He should be happy to answer. If he’s not, you need a different dentist. Invisalign is a great option for straightening teeth without anyone else knowing. They’re invisible even at a conversational distance. If you’re a good candidate then it will do a great job with your crooked front teeth. What it won’t do is straighten your gums. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t be straightened.

For that, your dentist can do a couple of things. If you’re referring to unevenness from one tooth to the next, then he’d do what’s called a gingivectomy. That simply means he’d remove some tissue from the gums that stand out more. It’s a simple procedure.

If the shape of your gums doesn’t look quite right or they’re bulky, then your dentist will perform a gingivoplasty. That’s just a big word for reshaping. This is also a simple procedure. Both are done in-office in one visit. I’d recommend taking care of the gums first and then getting your Invisalign done.

An Alternative to Invisalign

If there’s more than just the crookedness of the front teeth which bother you, there’s another option. Porcelain veneers can give you a complete smile makeover. Veneers can change everything about your smile—the shape, the size, the color, even the character.

Unlike Invisalign, which can be done by just about any dentist, a complete smile makeover will require an expert cosmetic dentist. Otherwise, you could end up with very disappointing results. Look on aacd.com to find an accredited dentist in your area.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Invisalign

How Invisalign Helped Celia Get a Date

We received a funny note we thought we’d pass on.

Lafayette Invisalign brings love.

Dear Dr. Malone,

I love my Invisalign treatment. It’s been fantastic seeing my smile get prettier with each pair of aligners. But, I love them even more now. I was meeting a friend for dinner. I went into the restroom to remove my aligners and place them in their case. No problem, except I didn’t realize I’d entered the men’s room instead of the lady’s room. I’d just gotten my aligners out when a man walked in. That’s when I saw the urinals and realized what I’d done. I went into complete panic mode and took off.

Once I was in the hallway again, I realized I’d left them. Feeling absolutely humiliated, I walked back in. The man was standing there holding my case. He said, “I assume this is yours?” He had a cocky smirk on his face. The worst part was how cute he was. It just made it more embarrassing somehow. He then asked if it was Invisalign. I told him it was. He’d been thinking about getting that himself and asked me some questions about it.

We talked for about ten minutes about the treatment. The whole time still in the men’s room. By the time we left, he asked me to meet him for coffee the next day. So, Invisalign actually got me a date.

Thanks!
Celia

Dear Celia,

We’re thrilled for you. If for some reason this fella’ doesn’t work out, you could always come by for some teeth whitening. That gives you two sets of trays you can leave somewhere, doubling your chances!

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Invisalign

What Happens if You Dry Your Invisalign Aligners?

I feel like a complete moron and I’m super worried this is going to throw my treatment off. I’ve been looking forward to finishing so I could whiten my teeth. After breakfast this morning I accidentally put my Invisalign aligners into the washer and dryer. I have no idea how they got there. I couldn’t find them after breakfast which worried me. I was about to call the dentists office when my dryer buzzed. I pulled out my clothes and there they were. I put them on but they’re tight. Did the dryer shrink them? Is it okay to still wear them? I feel too stupid to call the dentist’s office now.

Esther M.

Dear Esther,

A woman placing in her Invisalign aligners

First, you have no reason to be embarrassed. These type of things happen all the time. And believe me, your dentist has seen and heard it all. I would not continue to wear this set of Invisalign aligners. That would be more likely to throw your treatment off. If you were close to the end of this two-week cycle, you can just ask your dental office for the next set of aligners. Then, you’ll actually be a smidge ahead of schedule instead of behind.

It’s okay to do that this once, but if you skip to the next pair early much more than that you risk losing your teeth. Your teeth actually move into their new position just a few days after you place the aligners. The remainder of the time is there to allow the bone to reform around the tooth root in its new position. Without that, the teeth will become loose.

If you’d recently started the new set, don’t move forward. That would be too much movement at once. However, your dentist can provide you with a new pair and you’ll be right back on track.

Invisalign and Teeth Whitening

You wouldn’t necessarily have to wait until your Invisalign treatment is over to start your teeth whitening. Tell your dentist of your interest. If you’re a current candidate for teeth whitening, your aligners can double as teeth whitening trays.

Just be aware if you have any fillings or other dental work somewhere, it won’t whiten with your teeth. You’ll have to have your fillings redone to match after the whitening procedure is done.

The key is always open communication with your cosmetic dentist. If he knows what all your goals are, even long-term, he can give you the most efficient way to get there.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Invisalign

Can I Use My Invisalign Aligner Instead of My Retainer?

I’m finishing up my Invisalign treatment. I was scared I wouldn’t like it but it’s been awesome. Only the friends I told knew I wore the aligners. They were really comfortable. My friends always complained about how their braces hurt, but mine never hurt. I’m supposed to get a retainer, but that’s going to be metal. Can I just wear the last aligner instead of getting the metal prison?

Lisa L.

Dear Lisa,

I”m glad you enjoyed your Invisalign treatment. Most patients love it. I wouldn’t recommend using your aligner in place of a retainer though. It’s not that it will hurt your teeth. And, it will keep your teeth in place, but it isn’t designed for long-term use. Two things are going to happen. First, it’s going to get a little “used” feeling and you’ll want to switch it out. Then, it will also start to wear down.

So you know, you’re no longer relegated to metal tooth prison with retainers anymore. There are more options these days. There are retainers which are clear plastic, like your Invisalign and wrap around your teeth. Others can cover the top of your mouth. They can even customize them to have different colors or designs.

Another option is a lingual retainer. It is metal, but it goes behind your teeth so no one will see them.

The key is to talk to your dentist. Let him or her know why you’re not wanting to wear the retainer. They can make sure you know all your options and help you make a choice you’ll be completely comfortable with.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Invisalign

Am I Too Old For Invisalign?

I’d like to get my teeth straightened. I’d always wanted to but my husband kept insisting he liked me the way I was. I appreciated the sentiment, but they still bothered me. He passed a couple of years ago. I’ve decided I’m going to do it now. Otherwise I’ll always regret not following a dream. I’ve always heard adults prefer Invisalign. If I’m over 60, am I too old?

Eva – Montana

Eva,

You’re definitely not too old for orthodontics, including Invisalign. You’re right that most adults prefer Invisalign. It’s more comfortable than traditional braces. You don’t have to worry about your oral hygiene. With braces, brushing and flossing is quite the challenge. With Invisalign, you simply remove the aligners then brush and floss as normal.

It’s great that you’re not letting your dreams pass you by. While your husband’s sentiment is sweet and romantic, you may find with a corrected bite you feel better. Sometimes our bite can throw off our hinge joint enough to cause TMJ. It can cause everything from jaw pain and migraines to complete lock jaw.

We’ve also had seniors live out their dreams of a total smile makeover. You’re never too old to do anything!

Make sure you have a dentist you’re comfortable with because you’ll need to change out your aligners every couple of weeks, though most dentists don’t make you check in that often. The point is, you’ll be seeing the dentist a little more than usual.

You won’t have to see an orthodontist, though. Many general dentists are Invisalign certified and will do a fantastic job.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Invisalign

Can I Run My Invisalign Aligners Through the Dishwasher?

I’m a germaphobe. I hate the idea of putting my aligners in my mouth with bacteria in them. All that spit that got on them (and yes I know it’s my spit) gives me the heebee-geebees. I was thinking of running them through the dishwasher as a means of disinfecting them. I do that for all my dishes and silverware. The heat gets rid of the bacteria.

Kate – San Antonio

Kate,

I understand how you feel. I’m a salmonella-phobe. You should see all the precautions I take when I’m cooking chicken. However, using the dishwasher to disinfect your Invisalign aligners is a bad idea. The heat, which admittedly does disinfect, will also distort the aligners. That can derail your treatment.

Your dentist should have given you instructions on how to properly clean your Invisalign. Additionally, the Invisalign company makes a special kit you can order. If you are still concerned, you can do a vinegar soak. Vinegar is a natural and potent disinfectant. However, I would only let them soak for 30 minutes about once a week. Don’t forget to rinse them after the soak or you’ll have a nasty taste.

You may also consider asking your dentist if you can get your teeth whitened simultaneously with your Invisalign treatment. The aligners can double for teeth whitening aligners as well. Peroxide (used in whitening gels) is also a disinfectant. This way you can feel better about killing bacteria, while doing something proactive about your smile at a reduced cost. I’m all for multi-tasking (and saving money).

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Invisalign

Warped My Invisalign Aligners

I took out my Invisalign aligners in order to brush my teeth. I didn’t realize that I’d laid them down where they were touching my curling iron. Now part of them is melted and warped. What do I do?

Nesibe A. – Houston, TX

Nesibe,

Accidents happen and your dentist has seen every kind of accident imaginable. Don’t wear the warped Invisalign aligners. It will set back your treatment. Instead, call your dentist. He’ll make new aligners for you.

If you’re toward the beginning of this particular two-week block, he’ll just start that block over, making the exact same aligners. If, however, you’re closer to the end of your two-week block, then your dentist will likely just move you on to the next set.

It’s safe to do that once or twice, but you wouldn’t want to do it too often. It won’t be great for the roots of your teeth. Generally, your teeth need the full two weeks to give the roots time to stabilize and bone to re-form over the new position.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Invisalign

Getting Back Into the Dating Scene

I’m recently divorced, after a 17 year marriage. My husband decided to start a new life with his high school sweetheart. Now I’m stuck trying to navigate a new life. I’m thinking about diving into the dating scene again, but I think my teeth will hold me back.  I’m too old for braces, but can’t afford porcelain veneers. Is there something between the two?

Amanda – Kentucky

Amanda,

They say our smile is the first thing people notice about us, so if you’re not happy with your smile, it’s great that you’re being proactive.

You don’t have to have a mouth full of metal or spend a fortune on porcelain veneers. Invisalign will allow you to straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. It uses clear aligners.

I’d talk to your dentist to see if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. It has a high patient satisfaction rate. Just bear in mind, that while porcelain veneers can completely remake your smile, Invisalign, just straightens your teeth. Kind of like braces, but without the metal.

Good luck in the dating world!

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.