Am I Too Old for Invisalign?

Getting Invisalign at our Clear Lake dental office is a great orthodontic treatment that has no age limit. In fact, it’s a more popular solution than traditional braces, among our older and more mature patients for several reasons.

What Is Invisalign?

Rather than using metal wires and brackets like standard braces do, Invisalign is a system that uses a series of clear, rigid, plastic aligners that slowly move your teeth into the proper position.

Invisalign aligners come in pairs ー one for the upper arch and one for the lower. Each set of trays are worn for two weeks and a minimum of 22 hours a day.  Every pair of aligners is shaped slightly different from the next ー this shows the transition that your teeth will make.

Benefits of Invisalign

 You’re never too old to reap the benefits that Invisalign has to offer, which include:

Invisible Treatment ー The most attractive part of using Invisalign as your orthodontic treatment is the fact that it’s nearly invisible.  You don’t have to be embarrassed about having metal in your mouth or everyone noticing that you’re having your teeth straightened.

Better Looking Smile ー Obviously, the most sought after result that Invisalign has to offer is the appearance of straight teeth. You’ll be able to smile with confidence once you’ve completed treatment. Plus, you can easily pair it with teeth whitening for a simple smile makeover!

Improved Diet ー When your teeth are crooked or spaced apart too much, you can have trouble breaking down your food for digestion. Having a bite that’s properly aligned will help improve your nutrient absorption because your food will be chewed up better.

Easier Oral Care ー A crowded and crooked set of teeth can be more difficult to clean.  Certain areas are more prone to attracting sticky plaque and bacteria, making them more prone to cavities and gum disease. Once your teeth are straightened with Invisalign you’ll be able to brush and floss normally without missing crucial, yet hard to reach areas. Plus, home care with Invisalign is simple since all you have to do is take out your trays.

TMJ Disorderー TMJ pain can be caused by an improper bite.  When you go through Invisalign treatment to align your teeth, you’ll notice an improvement in the way your jaw feels and functions.

Prevent Wear To Dental Work ー Another effect that can come from poorly aligned teeth is premature wear and damage to your existing dental work. This issue can be addressed rather easily with Invisalign.

Prevent Grinding and Clenching ー These symptoms are considered to be a TMJ risk as they can cause jaw pain, or even be a result of having an improperly positioned jaw. Grinding and clenching also puts a lot of stress on your teeth which can cause wear and can also damage dental work. 

What Is The Process of Getting Invisalign?

If you’re interested in this clear orthodontic treatment, then the first thing that we would need to do is acquire a 3-D digital scan of your teeth which is equivalent to taking an impression. The scan is sent electronically to Invisalign labs where they’ll construct a virtual treatment plan for you.  Their technology can tell us how many sets of aligners you’ll need to get the ideal smile ー  which then gives us an idea of how long your treatment will take. At this time, we can also show you a preview of what your new smile will look like before the treatment starts.

If you’re happy with what to expect and want to move forward with the treatment, then we’ll have Invisalign create your aligners right away. Once your case arrives at our office you’ll return for your first fitting.

At your first delivery appointment we may have to place some “buttons” on certain teeth.  These are little dots made out of tooth-colored filling material that we bond to your enamel.  These attachments help guide your teeth into the proper position when the alignment trays need something extra to grip onto.

Once your buttons are placed, we’ll try in your first pair of aligners. We may give you a few more sets to take home with you. You’ll need to transition to the next pair every two weeks. Periodically, you’ll come back to the office for us to check your progress.

Invisalign in Clear Lake, Texas

Invisalign clear aligners in Clear Lake are a great solution for adults of all ages as well as responsible teens.  If you want to achieve a straighter, more attractive looking smile without invasive dental work, then give us a call today.  We look forward to being a part of your smile transformation.