invisalign albuquerque NM

Want Straight Teeth But Hate The Idea of Braces?

August 7, 2018
Invisalign

If you’re one of the many people who have always wanted straight teeth and a beautiful smile, but you hate the thought of putting up with the embarrassment and discomfort of metal braces, you’re in luck. Invisalign® clear aligners from Dr. Ryan Shepherd at Uptown Dental Associates in Albuquerque, NM can give you the smile you’ve always wanted comfortably and conveniently.

Invisalign Is Different

Traditional metal braces use brackets connected by wires to move your teeth into alignment. Braces are undeniably effective at straightening teeth – there are many complex orthodontic conditions that require their use – but traditional braces also come with a number of problems.

It’s common for braces-wearers to complain of cuts, sores, and abrasions inside the mouth. There are typically some food restrictions that go with braces. Braces are also awkward to clean around. And no one likes the “mouthful of metal” appearance they provide

Invisalign clear plastic aligners avoid all these problems. The smooth, medical-grade plastic won’t irritate the inside of the mouth. You wear the aligners for about 22 hours each day for best results, but you remove them to eat – including all the foods you love – and to care for your teeth as usual. The aligners fit so snugly over your teeth that you can confidently sleep with them in place.

The aligners are also very hard for someone else to detect while you’re wearing them, so cross embarrassment off the list. Neither your social life nor your career have to be impacted by the process of getting the straight teeth you’ve always wanted.

What Invisalign Can Treat

Invisalign is short-term orthodontics, meaning that many treatment plans are complete within 6 months. The exact length of your treatment will depend on your particular situation, but Invisalign may be right for you if:

  • You have an “open” bite where the teeth don’t meet
  • You have misaligned (crooked) teeth
  • You have an underbite, overbite, or crossbite

The Invisalign Process

Your journey to straight teeth with Invisalign begins with a consultation with Dr. Ryan Shepherd at Uptown Dental Associates in Albuquerque, NM. During your consultation, Dr. Shepherd will discuss your treatment goals and perform a careful examination to determine whether Invisalign is your best option.

If you both agree to proceed, Dr. Shepherd will take careful impressions of your teeth to guide the dental laboratory in creating your customized series of aligners. Once they arrive, you’ll wear each aligner for roughly three weeks; Dr. Shepherd will create your exact schedule. The next aligner in your series will continue the work of moving your teeth into their proper positions.

Unlike braces adjustments, which can be painful, most people describe switching to the next aligner as a barely noticeable pressure, if that. You’ll have periodic appointments with Dr. Shepherd to check your progress. Once treatment is complete, you’ll wear a retainer at night to maintain your treatment gains.

Get Started On Having The Smile You’ve Always Wanted

Don’t live with misaligned teeth or an improper bite. Contact Uptown Dental Associates in Albuquerque, NM at (505) 219-4548 to schedule a consultation.