by Dr. Adkins | Aug 28, 2025 | Blog, Dental Topics 2, Invisalign
Straighter teeth are possible through traditional metal braces or Invisalign clear aligners, but how do you know which are right for you? These two types of orthodontics work differently to improve smiles. Invisalign uses invisible removable plastic aligners to gradually shift teeth, while metal braces require brackets bonded to the teeth and arch wires to apply pressure to move the teeth.
If you are deciding between these two types of treatment, ask yourself some questions to help you choose:
- How severe is your case? Moderate conditions like overcrowding, gaps, and overbite or underbite issues can be treated with either option. However, more severe cases like malocclusions, jaw problems, crossbites, or seriously crooked teeth may require metal braces for more effective results.
- Do you care if others see your braces? Metal braces are very noticeable and bulky, while Invisalign is virtually invisible in your smile. Adults and self-conscious teens may prefer the concept of hidden orthodontic treatment.
- Will you be diligent in wearing aligners? They should be worn at least 22 hours each day for best results, so neglecting to wear them consistently can negatively impact your smile or require longer treatment time.
- Are you concerned about keeping your teeth clean? Metal braces can be difficult to clean because food becomes caught in the wires and brushing may not easily reach all areas. Since Invisalign trays are removable, brushing and flossing are performed normally throughout the process.
- Are you worried about teeth stains? Since it’s easier to keep teeth clean with Invisalign, you avoid the risks of stains from food and plaque buildup around metal braces that may stain your teeth.
- How often do you want to visit the orthodontist? Metal braces require office visits at least every 4 weeks for tightenings. Invisalign trays are changed every 2 weeks, but many orthodontists provide a series of trays to take home so that an office visit isn’t required each time. It’s possible that you may not visit the orthodontist as often with Invisalign.
The ideal choice for your orthodontic treatment can be decided by consulting with your orthodontist. Find out which option will best transform your smile.
Our dental office is located in McDonough
by dds2017 | Aug 14, 2025 | Blog, Dental Topics 5, Invisalign
Feeling dissatisfied with your smile can make you wonder how to achieve a stylish new look. Instead of turning to traditional methods like metal braces, consider the modern solution of Invisalign clear aligners.
This revolutionary treatment involves wearing customized clear plastic aligners that gently shift your teeth into better positions. They are virtually invisible, providing a discreet solution to straightening your teeth, and they can be removed for eating and cleaning. The smooth material ensures comfort without the discomfort of metal brackets or wires.
Getting Started with Invisalign
If you’re interested in Invisalign, the first step is to find an orthodontist or dentist who offers this treatment. Not every professional is trained in this method, so it’s important to seek out a certified provider. Once you’ve identified your options, choose a provider who is experienced, convenient, and makes you feel confident in your treatment.
The Initial Consultation and Treatment Plan
Your first appointment will involve an examination to ensure you are a good candidate for Invisalign. Most people qualify, unless they have severe oral health issues or significant dental problems. The dentist will create a personalized treatment plan based on your unique needs. To help in the process, impressions of your teeth, X-rays, and photos will be taken. A 3D image will be developed, which will not only assist in creating your treatment plan but also give you a visual preview of how your teeth will shift at each stage of the process, along with a timeline for completion.
The Treatment Process
Once your aligners are ready, you will wear each set for about two weeks before switching to the next in the series. Follow-up appointments are typically needed every six weeks to track your progress and receive the next set of aligners. The entire process generally lasts around one year, depending on your specific needs. At the end of your treatment, you’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful, straight smile thanks to Invisalign.
Start Your Journey to a New Smile
If you’re ready for a new smile, consult a certified Invisalign provider and begin your journey to a more confident you.
Do not let another day go by without taking care of your dental needs. Request an appointment now at our McDonough dental office!
by dds2017 | Jul 31, 2025 | Blog, Dental Topics 5, Invisalign
Having straight teeth is a goal for everyone, from young people to mature adults. The prospect of achieving a beautiful smile without wearing braces is a wonderful benefit. Gone are the awkward moments of a mouth full of metal, food particles stuck in your braces, and painful wires poking your cheeks. So, how can you achieve this? The answer is Invisalign.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic solution that involves wearing a series of clear plastic aligners that fit snugly over your teeth. These aligners gradually shift your teeth into better positions using gentle, controlled pressure. They are nearly invisible, which means they don’t draw attention to your smile, and they can be removed anytime, allowing you to continue with your usual eating and hygiene routines without disruption.
Getting Started with Invisalign
The first step in the process is taking impressions of your teeth and creating a digital 3D image to design a precise treatment plan. This allows you to see how your teeth will improve at each stage of treatment. Your customized aligners will then be crafted in a lab, ensuring a comfortable fit that will help you achieve the desired results.
How Invisalign Works
You’ll need to wear your aligners throughout the day and while you sleep but can remove them when eating or performing oral hygiene tasks. You can even remove them for special occasions, but for the best results, you should aim to wear your aligners for 22 hours each day. About every two weeks, you will switch to a new set of aligners that will continue to move your teeth into place. Routine checkups with your dentist every six weeks will monitor your progress.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Invisalign treatment typically lasts about a year for adults and around two years for teens. You’ll be able to see your progress throughout the process, which can motivate you to keep going. Once the treatment is complete, you’ll have straight, beautiful teeth and a much more enjoyable orthodontic experience with fewer complaints compared to traditional braces.
Start Your Journey to a Beautiful Smile
If you’re ready for a perfect smile without the hassles of traditional braces, consider Invisalign. It’s an easy, comfortable way to straighten your teeth with minimal disruption to your daily life.
Do you live in McDonough or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.
by Dr. Adkins | Jun 5, 2025 | Blog, Dental Topics 2, Invisalign
Does your child need braces, but isn’t sure about being a “metal mouth” for two or more years? Did your teen come to you and beg for some other option to traditional braces? Perhaps you’ve heard about Invisalign aligners but are wondering if they’ll work for your child. Invisalign is absolutely appropriate for your teen if all of his or her baby teeth have fallen out and adult teeth have erupted.
Invisalign provides the same results as traditional metal braces, but without the metal brackets. Concerns over eating with braces are removed with the Invisalign trays, as they come out for meals, leaving your teen free to eat any food he or she desires.
Invisalign utilizes clear plastic trays that allow the process of straightening your teen’s teeth to be less obvious and less obtrusive. Beginning with x-rays and molds, your orthodontist will make a series of trays, called aligners. These trays are worn most of the day, taken out only to eat or to be cleaned. The process of straightening happens gradually and comfortably.
It is essential during this time that the trays are worn as recommended by the orthodontist. Wearing them less than the recommended amount of time will result in slower correction, and has the potential to lengthen treatment. Have your teen continue with any established good oral hygiene habits. Brushing and flossing must continue on a regular basis, brushing twice a day at minimum and flossing before bedtime.
Being a teenager is full of difficulties, and it is during this time that teens are at their most self-conscious. Adding metal braces to this transition can make everything worse for your child, leaving him or her self-conscious about eating with friends or smiling, talking or laughing in public. Your teen’s gapped, misaligned or crowded teeth can be improved significantly with Invisalign trays. Talk to your orthodontist today to see how Invisalign can make a difference for your child.
Schedule your appointment at our McDonough dental office
by Dr. Adkins | May 29, 2025 | Blog, Dental Topics 2, Invisalign
Modern technology is constantly making strides in improving dentistry, and the area of teeth straightening is no exception. In order to get your dream smile, you don’t have to be stuck with a mouth full of unsightly and uncomfortable metal braces any longer. Transforming your smile is now possible with a hidden product called Invisalign.
Also referred to as invisible braces, Invisalign utilizes clear plastic aligner trays to move your teeth into better positions. The series of customized trays are fitted for your mouth to gently move your teeth over time. Because they are created specifically for you, they are more comfortable than you might think and achieve their goal with minimal soreness. This is a great benefit over the painful and irritating process of traditional braces.
Wearing the clear aligners gradually shifts your teeth, and every few weeks your dental professional provides a new set of aligners to continue moving your teeth toward the final goal. This process is repeated until your teeth have moved into their desired positions, giving you a straight and attractive new smile. The aligners should be worn about 22 hours a day for best results.
Patients of all ages may be candidates for Invisalign. This technology is appealing to adults because it avoids the embarrassment of noticeable braces during professional and social encounters, and with teens who want to avoid the ridicule of a metal smile during an often emotional time of life. There is even a special version of Invisalign made for teens, which has a blue-dot display to remind the young adults about consistent wear and when it’s time to switch trays.
One of the other major benefits of Invisalign is that the trays are removable, making eating and hygiene easy. There are no diet restrictions like with traditional braces, and the cleaning hassles of metal brackets and wires does not exist.
If you are wanting to improve your smile with orthodontics, consider the revolutionary solution of Invisalign. It can keep you smiling throughout the entire process.
Schedule your appointment at our McDonough dental office
by Dr. Adkins | May 8, 2025 | Blog, Dental Topics 2, Invisalign
One of the newest ways to spruce up your look is to correct your teeth with Invisalign. This is an orthodontic solution that allows your teeth to be straightened without having to wear unsightly or embarrassing traditional braces. Invisalign allows you to improve your smile without affecting your eating habits, oral care routine, or self-esteem throughout the treatment process.
Description:
A series of customized plastic aligners are created to wear over your teeth to gradually move them into better position. You are able to see your treatment plan on a computer before treatment even begins, and your dentist monitors progress during checkups to make sure things are changing as desired. The clear aligners with Invisalign are popular because they are nearly invisible, can be removed for cleaning and eating, and are comfortable without causing irritation.
Correction:
Invisalign corrects various dental issues, including crowded teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, or crossbites. Dentists often advise wearing retainers after treatment to ensure that teeth remain in their new position.
Process:
Once you select a dentist for your Invisalign treatment, an examination and discussion of goals will determine if this type of orthodontics is right for you. If you are a good candidate, a mold will be made of your teeth as well as a three dimensional image to help your dentist determine your treatment plan.
Maintenance:
Invisalign aligners are easily cleaned when removed from your mouth with gentle brushing and rinsing. You can perform your normal oral hygiene routine before returning the aligners to your mouth.
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