The Best Ways to Keep Invisalign Aligners Clean

August 27, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Choosing an orthodontic treatment that is convenient for you has never been easier. When you visit Austin Orthodontics for your free consultation, you’ll get to hear all about the great treatment options we have available to make the time spent straightening your teeth easy and fun. The Invisalign Clear Aligner System is hands down the most convenient treatment option because you can remove your aligners when you eat, brush your teeth, and floss. However, using this treatment does add the step of needing to clean your aligners on a regular basis.

Importance of Keeping Your Aligners Clean

One advantage Invisalign aligners have over traditional braces is it’s not as easy to get food stuck in your teeth after you eat. However, there are other ways plaque can start to build up underneath your aligners, leading to tooth decay. If your teeth are still dirty when you place your aligners back on your teeth, all of the food particles will be trapped and won’t rinse out with water consumption, making matters worse. 

Failing to clean your aligners thoroughly can also cause calcium buildup, which can compromise the precise fit of your aligners and subsequently alter your progress. Not to mention, if your aligners aren’t kept clean, they can become stained, defeating the purpose of having invisible aligners in the first place. 

Brush Your Teeth and Your Aligners After Every Meal

The most essential strategy for keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is remembering to take them out every time you eat or drink anything other than cold water. If you forget to do this, you risk staining your aligners or possibly warping them due to heat. 

The next most important thing to remember is to always brush your teeth after you eat or drink. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste to thoroughly clean off your teeth, then do the same to your aligners. When cleaning your aligners, be sure to brush gently in a circular motion on all sides and only use a small amount of toothpaste. This way, both your teeth and your aligners will be clean and you’ll avoid plaque buildup. 

Soak Your Aligners

Brushing your teeth and aligners is an essential step in keeping your aligners clean, but you should also take other steps if you want healthy teeth and the best results when you are done. Calcium can start to build up in your aligners even if you’re keeping up with routine brushing. To prevent this buildup from altering your progress, soak your aligners when they aren’t in use with Invisalign’s specialized soaking fluid. Be sure not to use other fluids like mouthwash since they can end up eroding some of the plastic with extended exposure. The fluid provided by Invisalign is designed to break down calcium buildup and prevent bacteria growth without damaging the aligners. 

Keeping up with your cleaning routine might be a bit of a challenge at first, so try setting reminders for yourself on your phone or leaving notes on your bathroom mirror to help you remember until it becomes a habit. If you keep your aligners clean, you’ll get done with your treatment and find your teeth are straighter and cleaner than ever. 

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What the Elastics on Your Braces Do

July 3, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

During your orthodontic treatment with braces, you’ll become familiar with the various aspects of the orthodontic products being used. One of the most important parts of your braces is rubber bands, or elastics. Elastics play a major role in the process of correcting your teeth during your treatment, so it’s worth getting to know a little bit more about what they are and how they work.

What Are Orthodontic Elastics?

It may seem strange to put elastic bands in your mouth, but these bands are specially designed to provide necessary adjustments to your teeth. Orthodontic bands are quite a bit smaller than the typical rubber bands you might think of and are stiffer than conventional rubber bands to provide the force needed for adjustment. Orthodontic elastics are also made to be durable and to last a significant amount of time attached to your teeth.

There are two types of elastic bands you may end up having as part of your orthodontic treatment: elastic ligatures and interarch bands.

Elastic Ligatures

Most likely, you’re familiar with what braces look like. One thing you’ve probably noticed when you see someone with braces or a photo of braces is the tiny bands that surround each bracket of the braces. These small elastic bands hold the archwire in place against the bracket. The level of tightness of your elastic bands also helps in creating the pressure needed to straighten your teeth.

Your elastic ligatures will stay on your braces throughout the course of your treatment, and your orthodontist will often adjust or replace them when you go for your follow-up appointments. Many orthodontists have these bands in different colors, which means you can get them in your favorite colors, be festive for the holidays, or wear the colors of your school or favorite team.

Interarch Bands

Whether you get traditional metal braces or the Invisalign Clear Aligner System, you could also have interarch elastic bands. Rather than helping straighten your teeth to fix issues of crowding, large spaces, or crookedness, interarch bands fix problems with the jaw alignment. Interarch elastic bands run from the lower jaw to the upper jaw, connecting at attachments on your brackets, or on your teeth when it comes to Invisalign.

The pressure created by the interarch wires helps fix instances of overbites or underbites. As you wear your interarch bands with your braces, the pressure pulls the jaw in a direction that corrects your bite over time. In the instance of an underbite, the elastics attach towards the front of the jaw on the bottom and attach towards the back on the upper jaw, and vice versa for instances of an overbite.

When it comes to interarch bands, you’ll most likely wear these for the full length of your treatment, but you will need to replace them frequently yourself rather than waiting until an appointment to have them changed.

To learn more about how elastics play a role in your treatment, contact Austin Orthodontics today!

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Why Are My Teeth Crooked?

June 20, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

As you think about starting orthodontic treatment to straighten your smile and improve your oral health, you might find yourself wondering, “Why are my teeth crooked in the first place?” The answer is different for everyone, which is part of the reason why everyone gets a personalized treatment plan to help with their specific issues. Still, there are some common reasons people’s teeth end up crooked.

Genetics

Just like nobody has perfectly clear skin or a totally symmetrical face, nobody has perfect teeth. Some people have pretty straight teeth naturally, but even they may have underlying issues orthodontic treatment can fix. Some people inherit genes that cause their teeth to grow in crooked. The actual ways genetics affect each person’s teeth varies. Some people have jaws that are too small for their teeth, resulting in crowding, or impacted teeth in severe cases. Other issues with the jaw can cause the person’s bite to be off, causing an overbite, crossbite, or underbite. Permanent teeth may simply grow in at awkward angles due to genetic hardwiring as well.

Bad Timing of Baby Teeth Loss

Many people don’t realize their baby teeth actually play a huge role in how the permanent teeth come in. Baby teeth guide the path of eruption, and if they fall out early or late, it can cause the permanent teeth to come in crooked. For example, if baby teeth don’t fall out when they are supposed to, the permanent teeth may erupt in front of or behind the baby teeth instead of in their proper positions.

Losing baby teeth too early can also affect where the permanent teeth come in. If your child sucks their thumb past toddlerhood, they may loosen the baby teeth early. This habit, along with extended pacifier use, also alters the shape of the jaw as the child is still growing and developing, which can lead to crooked teeth.

Other Bad Habits

Beyond thumb-sucking as a toddler, older children and even adults, can engage in bad habits that cause problems for their teeth grow. For instance, anxious habits like tongue-thrusting or teeth-grinding can alter the orientation of your teeth, causing crookedness and other oral health problems.

Injuries

Another potential source of crooked teeth is getting an injury. For one, getting a facial injury as a child can knock out a baby tooth early, which can lead to permanent teeth coming in improperly. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, it’s important to get a replacement tooth put in as soon as possible since the surrounding teeth will begin to move to fill in the gap.

To straighten crooked teeth, most people undergo orthodontic treatment with either braces or the Invisalign, which both help move the teeth and jaws to an ideal position. Early orthodontics starting at age seven can also help correct the issues that cause crooked teeth before the permanent teeth erupt.

Contact Austin Orthodontics and schedule a free consultation to see which treatment option could be right for you!

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Which Invisalign is Right for You?

May 29, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Modern innovations in orthodontics provide excellent alternatives to traditional metal braces, and the most innovative solution available today is the Invisalign clear aligner system. Invisalign allows you to get thorough correction for your misaligned teeth without having to usemetal braces. The system is completely clear and can be removed when you need to eat, drink or brush your teeth. There also are several types of treatment you can get based on your specific needs.

Invisalign Full

The most common form of Invisalign is the full version of the treatment. This type can treat a wide range of orthodontic problems, including moderate to severe crowding, gaps, and some instances of underbites and overbites. While each case will last different lengths of time based on the individual needs of each patient, this form of Invisalign usually lasts around 9-24 months.

Invisalign Lite

Some patients have mild or moderate cases of crowding that won’t require Invisalign Full. This treatment is less expensive than the full version, so it comes with fewer aligner trays, but the amount provided will be sufficient to make the necessary corrections. Since Invisalign Lite is designed to treat milder cases than the full version, there are fewer appointments needed, and treatment only lasts five to eight months, significantly less than the full version.

Invisalign Express

Sometimes people strike the genetic lottery and have a smile that looks nearly perfect as is. However, since any misalignment can cause oral health problems later on in life, such as decay or wear, it’s advisable to correct even those really small issues. Invisalign Express is an affordable option for people who only need mild correction to their teeth. It uses five to 10 trays throughout the course of the treatment and can last as little as 10 weeks.

Invisalign Teen

Invisalign Teen is the perfect solution for students in high school or in college. This treatment plan includes all the benefits of Invisalign Full, with the ability to tackle tough orthodontic adjustments. Invisalign Teen offers the discreet look teenagers want while also making life more convenient with the ability to remove the aligners for meals or sports events. One of the added perks of Invisalign Teen is the six complimentary replacement trays in case of damage or loss. The system also includes eruption tabs to guide the growth of permanent teeth in younger teens and has indicators that show how frequently the aligners are being worn.

Invisalign could be a great choice for you or your child’s orthodontic treatment, offering a clean look, complete alignment, and convenience throughout your treatment. Contact Austin Orthodontics today to schedule a complimentary consultation to see which version of Invisalign is right for you.

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Invisalign vs. Braces: Deciding Which Is Best for You

April 23, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

When you visit Austin Orthodontics for your free assessment, Dr. Briggs and his team will gladly go over which orthodontic treatment will achieve you or your child’s desired result. Two of the most common types of orthodontic treatment are Invisalign and braces.

Braces

Still the most effective method of straightening teeth, braces have the capacity to correct some of the most severe orthodontic problems. Braces are made up of brackets adhered to your teeth using dental adhesive. In self-ligating braces, which are used at Austin Orthodontics, archwires are attached to the brackets with little gates and apply corrective pressure to the teeth.

Many patients immediately think of silver, square brackets when they hear the word “braces,” but there are more options today. If patients want their treatment to be less noticeable, they can choose clear, ceramic braces, which work the same as metal braces and can tackle the same issues. Kids and teens can express their personality and sense of style with WildSmiles braces, which offer brackets in several fun shapes.

When it comes to braces, even with the technological advances that have been made, there are still some drawbacks. Your smile will look different over the course of your treatment and you will need to get used to some mild discomfort. You will also need to be careful when choosing what foods to eat and during brushing and flossing.

However, braces are hands down the most affordable option for getting a straight smile and they are the most effective way to treat tough orthodontic issues.

Invisalign

The Invisalign clear aligner system stands out among other types of orthodontic treatment because they don’t stand out when placed on your teeth. The aligners are invisible and removable, allowing you to have an uncluttered smile and zero restrictions on the types of food you can eat during your treatment. Just remember to take your aligners out and put them in a safe place if you are eating or drinking anything other than cold water.

Many people who want to maintain a mature, professional appearance prefer this option since the aligners are undetectable unless inspected up close. Couples approaching their wedding day may prefer this option since they can look at their best on their big day and look back at photos of themselves with clear smiles. Teens can also take advantage of this type of treatment with Invisalign Teen.

Invisalign is effective for mild to moderate types of orthodontic adjustments, including some malocclusions. More severe crossbites, overbites, or underbites, along with large gaps and significant rotations, may require braces.

Some patients prefer the consistency and security of having braces on their teeth, while others may value the freedom Invisalign offers and feel confident in their ability to keep track of their aligners. The experts at Austin Orthodontics can discuss the options available and help you choose the best solution for you or your child.  

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What Is Invisalign and How Does It Work?

April 17, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Like all medical practices, orthodontics has seen some exciting technological advances over the years. It wasn’t that long ago that the only choice if you wanted to get a straight smile was metal braces. One of the most significant milestones in orthodontics was the introduction of the Invisalign clear aligner system, giving patients a whole new alternative to bonded braces.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign straightens teeth using a series of clear, plastic aligners rather than brackets and wires. The clear aligners are made from a 3-dimensional scan of your teeth and bite.  Using this 3D model, Dr. Briggs plans the movements of your teeth using a highly specialized software, then Invisalign fabricates a custom series of aligners according to his plan. Over the course of your treatment with Invisalign, you will visit our office to ensure the teeth are moving correctly and to get additional sets of your custom aligners, each one progressively moving your teeth until they are straight. Because the aligners are made especially for you, they fit snugly and securely right over your teeth, easily snapping into place with little to no interference with speech or other activities.

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign aligners are totally clear, giving you an uncluttered smile you can proudly share during any occasion while you are in treatment. The close fit also results in a very high comfort level and poses no risk of gum or lip irritation or abrasions.

In addition to being almost invisible, the two biggest additional benefits of Invisalign are:

  1. You can simply take them out any time you eat, effectively eliminating any dietary restrictions while your teeth are being straightened.
  2. You can brush and floss normally (no special cleaning tools required)

Some other awesome benefits are you can play sports without worrying about damaging any brackets or wires and can play wind instruments without having to adjust to the feeling of braces on your teeth. Just remember to store your aligners in a safe place when you remove them to play and wear proper mouth protection when playing contact sports.

Best Practices with Invisalign

You will need to keep your aligners in for at least 22 hours per day to complete your treatment on time.  Consistent wear is the KEY to Invisalign’s success.

The ability to remove your aligners during your treatment allows for life to be more convenient, but it also protects your aligners from damage. You will need to remember to remove your aligners for each meal or snack, or anytime you drink hot or dark liquids to prevent cracking, warping, or staining. Since the aligners are clear plastic, you will want to place them directly in their case when not in use. Otherwise, they can get lost or damaged.

You will be changing to a new fresh aligner each week and so keeping your mouth and aligners clean is easy.  You should clean your aligners at least twice a day when you brush your teeth, simply brush your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse them with fresh water. We do also have a few specialized cleaning solutions you can use to soak your aligners to prevent calcium buildup if needed.

If keeping your smile looking bright and uncluttered during your treatment is important to you, schedule a free consultation to learn more about Invisalign at Austin Orthodontics.

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