You finished your braces treatment years ago, but for one reason or another, your teeth are no longer straight. Perhaps you didn’t wear your retainers, or dental issues caused your teeth to fall out of place. Invisalign® is an option even after you have gone through braces treatment. This blog post will discuss what you should know about starting Invisalign® treatment after already having braces and what differences you can expect in your treatment!
Have Your Teeth Moved After Braces?
If you had braces in the past, you will recall the relief and delight you experienced when they were removed and you were able to see your new smile for the first time. But what if your teeth are no longer straight after completing your treatment? Many people find that their teeth slowly drift out of place after their braces treatment is completed. This may be due to failure to wear their retainer, tooth loss, and other factors. If you believe that you could benefit from a second round of orthodontic treatment, you might wonder if it is possible to get Invisalign® after braces. For most patients, the answer to that question is yes.
Getting Invisalign® After Braces – What Should I Know?
During your consultation, your dentist will thoroughly evaluate the current state of your oral health. They will analyze the positioning of your teeth, your bite, and other factors that could affect your candidacy for Invisalign®. Whether your teeth have slightly shifted and/or you have common orthodontic issues such as overbite, underbite, crossbite, gapped teeth, crowded teeth, and more, Invisalign® can help!
If it looks like Invisalign® is right for you, our dental team will arrange for you to get your custom set of clear aligners. Depending on how far your teeth have drifted out of place, you might wear Invisalign® for a much shorter period of time than when you had braces. In fact, some patients’ smiles are back where they belong after just a few months. Of course, there are no guarantees for how long your treatment might last. Your dentist will be able to give you a timeline estimate during your consultation.
What Are the Most Notable Differences Between Braces and Invisalign®?
One of the biggest differences between Invisalign® and braces is that you will not have to wear wires or brackets on your teeth. Instead, you’ll simply pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks as needed. You can eat whatever foods you prefer without having to worry about harming your appliances!
Another difference is related to how much time it takes for treatment with each option. Even if your case is more complex than average, most patients who get Invisalign® after braces are able to complete their treatment within a few months (as opposed to years). That means no sitting around waiting for results – something many people find very frustrating when they’re working toward straighter teeth.
Discretion is also a perk of Invisalign® over braces. Nobody will know that you’re wearing custom aligners because they are nearly invisible. You’ll have the freedom to smile or laugh without being self-conscious about your teeth!
Comfort is also a consideration, and Invisalign® is definitely the winner when it comes to that. With braces, you probably experienced some discomfort in your mouth as your teeth moved into place. You may even have had sores on the inside of your cheeks or lips during this period. However, since most people wear their aligners for two weeks at a time, they are not in your mouth for very long before being switched out. This makes it much easier to maintain good oral hygiene and avoid discomfort when getting Invisalign® after braces treatment.
Meet Southern Dental Associates
Our team at Southern Dental Associates is proud to be certified to provide Invisalign® clear aligners. We strive to provide first-class services for our patients in a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment. If you are curious to learn more about Invisalign® and how it may be able to realign your smile after braces, contact our team today.
