Appearance is important, and we all want to project an air of self-confidence. If crooked or crowded teeth are making you want to hide your smile, Dr. Darien Ephram at Laurel Canyon Dental, Darien Ephram DDS can help.
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment system designed to correct cosmetic issues like gaps or slightly crooked teeth. Since we’re not performing any complicated orthodontic treatment, results with Invisalign can often be achieved in a year or less. And with no metal wires or brackets to detract from your smile, no one ever has to know that you’re straightening your teeth with Invisalign!
The Invisalign Clear Braces System
The Invisalign System combines state-of-the-art computer graphics technology with the time-tested science of orthodontics. Using a series of clear, comfortable Invisalign trays, your teeth are gradually moved into the desired position.
Invisalign aligners are mostly used for people with esthetic issues like gaps between their teeth or those whose teeth are only slightly crooked. The first step is to visit our Valley Village, California office, so Dr. Ephram can help you decide if Invisalign treatment is right for you or if another solution would be more appropriate.
After carefully planning your treatment, Dr. Ephram will send the precise treatment instructions to a special Invisalign lab. These instructions are used to create a series of aligners that are perfectly designed to move your teeth.
Simply wear each set of aligners for at least 23 hours a day for two weeks, taking them out only to eat, brush, and floss. Each time you replace an old set of aligners with the next, you’ll notice that your teeth are gradually moving week by week until the desired alignment is achieved.
Living with Your New Invisalign Aligners
There’s not nearly as much maintenance required with Invisalign as there is with traditional metal braces, but there are a few things to keep in mind during treatment:
Remove Your Aligner Trays
Since you can take the trays out, you should remove them when eating so food doesn’t get stuck in them. Also, take them out while you’re brushing your teeth so you can clean all the hard-to-reach places in your mouth.
Brush Normally
Brush your teeth at least twice a day as you normally would. Use a toothbrush recommended by Dr. Ephram and be sure to reach all surfaces of your teeth.
Floss at Least Once a Day
Flossing your teeth one or two times daily gets out the pieces of food stuck between them. It’s also a good idea to rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash that can get into all the spaces between and around teeth.
Clean Your Aligner Trays
Keep your teeth free from bacteria and any stray food particles by routinely cleaning your Invisalign trays. You can use the optional Invisalign cleaning system to clean your trays thoroughly in about 15 minutes. You can also ask Dr. Ephram for other suggestions for cleaning your trays.
Are you interested in seeing if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign? Just give Laurel Canyon Dental, Darien Ephram DDS in Valley Village, CA a call at (818) 509-3055 and we’ll be happy to arrange a consultation with Dr. Ephram to discuss your needs.
