Levesque Dentistry is a Nashua, NH Invisalign Provider
Levesque Dentistry in Nashua is an Invisalign® provider. We offer Invisalign clear aligners to teen and adult patients seeking mild to moderate orthodontic treatments.
Invisalign is often recommended as an alternative to traditional metal braces for treating a range of dental health or cosmetic concerns.
Invisalign provides several benefits to oral health and the convenience of comfortable, removable retainers that gradually realign teeth. You can expect visible results in as little as a few weeks. Most patients complete Invisalign treatment in about one year.
Why Should You Straighten Your Teeth?
Many patients only worry about crooked teeth because they dislike their appearance. But crooked teeth can cause many oral health issues. To start, it’s harder to clean crooked teeth than straight teeth. They’re cramped and come together at odd angles, making it hard to clean every area. Sometimes, even our specialized dental tools can’t clean the teeth properly. Even if you do all of your oral care right, you’re still at high risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
When your bite comes together, the pressure evenly distributes throughout your smile. When your teeth are crooked, some experience more pressure than others. Those teeth wear down faster and are more likely to chip or fracture. They’re also more likely to experience infection and tooth decay. You may need restorative dentistry to return your teeth to full health and function.
An uneven bite is one of the leading causes of TMJ disorders. The jaw joint doesn’t track properly, causing it to break down. The muscles that help it move strain as they’re not moving as they should. You may experience your jaw popping and clicking, pain and tension throughout your head and face, and issues moving your jaw in certain positions. The longer you put off treatment, the worse the condition becomes.
Real Patients, Real Results
“Dr Keith and the Levesque Dentistry staff were incredibly knowledgeable and helpful in making my Invisalign treatment a success. I never once felt unsure of the process and enjoyed my time in the office. I highly recommend Levesque Dentistry if you are considering Invisalign. The treatment was worth it and the staff was the icing on the cake”~ G Stratton
The Invisalign Process
The Invisalign process will begin with impressions taken using a digital handheld device for convenience and comfort. These images are then used with the Invisalign CAD/CAM software to create a detailed treatment plan for your smile. We will send this information to the Invisalign lab, and they will return a custom-made set of clear aligners that will gently reposition your teeth.
You will be required to wear the aligners up to 22 hours a day, changing them out every couple of weeks as your new smile emerges. The aligners can be removed easily for eating your favorite foods and oral hygiene. Invisalign offers some additional benefits that make treatment preferable when compared to traditional metal braces:
- Clear, invisible aligners are discreet- no one has to know you are wearing braces
- Removing aligners for dental care and hygiene enables patients to maintain a clean and healthy smile during treatment
- Aligners are made of a smooth material that does not irritate the gums and soft tissues of the mouth, as wires and brackets do
Once treatment is complete, typically in 12-18 months, we recommend wearing a retainer to maintain your straight, new smile.
The Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign is one of the most preferred methods of straightening teeth. Many patients like it because of how discreet it is. Traditional braces use metal brackets and very visible wires on your teeth. Since Invisalign aligners are transparent, it is hard to see that you’re even wearing them. This boosts your self-confidence while you’re getting treatment. Patients with metal braces get insecure because they’re so visible, and there’s no way to hide them.
Clear aligners are more comfortable than traditional braces. They use smooth plastic that fits close to your smile without pinching your gums or risking pinching your lips or cheeks in between the aligner and your mouth. With metal braces, the brackets and wires protrude from your teeth, irritating the soft tissues of your lips and cheeks. You usually have to use dental wax to stop this from happening.
Oral hygiene can be a struggle with metal braces. Your smile has many new additions, and you must learn how to brush and floss around them properly. If you don’t, you risk uneven teeth coloration from the bracket when you get the braces off. With Invisalign, you take the aligners out to perform your oral healthcare routine. You don’t have to worry about new techniques to properly clean your teeth.
Because you can remove the aligners, you also don’t have any diet restrictions. With metal braces, hard foods can break the wires of your braces, and chewy ones can get stuck in the brackets. As with your oral healthcare routine, you don’t need to change your diet because of your restoration.
Lastly, treatment with Invisalign is often cheaper and shorter than traditional braces. On average, Invisalign treatment takes about 12-18 months compared to years for metal braces. You don’t need to visit the office as often with Invisalign, either. Metal braces require a professional to tighten the wires monthly to slowly move your teeth. Since you change out the aligners at home, you only have to come to the office periodically to ensure treatment is going as planned.
Caring for Your Invisalign Aligners
Invisalign treatment only works if you properly care for your aligners. Never wear them when you’re eating or drinking anything but water. They can stain if you drink coffee or wine with them, so they’re no longer transparent and will become more visible on your teeth. Attempting to chew or bite into food can scratch or damage the aligners. Bacteria can get into the cracks, making wearing your aligners a health risk.
Each time you take out your aligners, rinse them with warm water. Never use hot water, as it can warp the plastic. Before you put them back in after eating, rinse your mouth or brush your teeth to eliminate lingering food particles. Once daily, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste or mild soap to clean your aligners. Once weekly, use an aligner cleaner to soak and sanitize them. This prevents bacteria buildup and bad odors.
When you clean them, never put them in a closed container while they’re wet. Bacteria love a warm, wet environment. Dry them manually or make sure they’re in a well-ventilated environment. We’ll provide a ventilated case that you can place them in. It’s also useful for when you take them out while you’re eating. Instead of putting them on a napkin, you risk throwing them out; a case helps you always know where they are.
Invisalign FAQs
Invisalign is often the ideal way for patients to straighten crooked teeth. Read the answers to these commonly asked questions to learn more.
How quickly do teeth move with Invisalign?
Invisalign is one of the fastest options for correcting crooked teeth. Patients typically begin to see results within 2-3 months. Patients must remember that everyone responds differently to treatment and be patient while waiting to see results from their Invisalign treatment.
What will happen if I don’t wear my Invisalign for 22 hours daily?
For Invisalign to work at its projected rate, patients should wear their corrective aligners for at least 22 hours daily. Failure to wear the aligners for 22 hours may result in longer or failed treatment.
Can a dentist use Invisalign to widen your smile?
Invisalign can be used to widen your smile. The clear aligners shift teeth position and widen smiles and jaws if necessary. To widen your smile, the aligners will be specifically created to shift your teeth wider until the desired result is achieved.
What can you not do with Invisalign?
Patients with Invisalign should clean their teeth and aligners after eating and drinking. They should avoid playing with and chewing on their aligners, which can alter their shape.
Should I drink through a straw with Invisalign?
We recommend that patients with Invisalign consume liquids through a straw. If you use a straw, your teeth and Invisalign aligners will have less contact with the drink, preventing food particles from sticking between your teeth and the aligners.
Should you brush your teeth before putting Invisalign back in?
We recommend brushing your teeth before putting on your Invisalign aligners after each meal or drink to avoid staining and decay. You may also brush and rinse the aligners before putting them back in your mouth.
Schedule an Invisalign Consultation Today
We are your premier dental office for Invisalign Clear Aligners treatment in Nashua, NH. Straightening crooked teeth has never been easier!
To discuss your options, schedule a preventative dental exam at Levesque Dentistry. Call us at (802) 424-8517 today or request an appointment online.