Invisalign in Queens, NY

Invisalign treatment starts with a digital scan or impression of your teeth. Your dentist uses this to map out a step-by-step plan for how your teeth should move. From that plan, a series of clear aligner trays is made specifically for your mouth. You wear each tray for about one to two weeks before switching to the next one in the series. You'll come back to CitiDental of Woodhaven periodically, so your dentist can check that your teeth are moving as planned and hand you your next set of aligners.

There are several reasons Invisalign has become a popular alternative to fixed braces:

• The trays are removable, so you take them out to eat, brush, and floss normally. There's no need for food restrictions or special flossing tools built for wires and brackets.
• Clear plastic trays are far less noticeable than metal brackets. That matters to a lot of adults and teens who'd rather not draw attention to the fact they're straightening their teeth.
• Without wires or brackets, there's nothing to poke or rub against your cheeks and gums the way fixed hardware sometimes does.
• You'll still want your dentist's honest opinion on whether Invisalign suits your case. Some more complex bite problems respond better to traditional braces.

Metal braces use brackets and wires that your orthodontist tightens periodically, to pull teeth into position. Invisalign aligners work differently. Each tray in the series gently pushes your teeth toward the next position in the plan. You'll typically feel some pressure for the first day or two after switching to a new tray. This is similar to the soreness you'd feel after a wire adjustment.

A few practical differences worth knowing:

• Braces are fixed in your mouth around the clock. Invisalign trays come out for meals and cleaning, which can make it easier to keep your teeth and gums healthy during treatment.
• Wires and brackets can occasionally irritate the inside of your cheeks and lips; smooth plastic aligners generally don't.
• Because aligners are removable, results depend on wearing them as many hours a day as your dentist recommends. Treatment can stall if they're left out too often.

If you're weighing clear braces against Invisalign, or wondering whether metal braces might suit your case better, bring that question to your consultation.

Invisalign is available for teens as well as adults. But it does require a level of responsibility. The trays only work if they're worn for the number of hours per day your dentist prescribes. It's easy for a busy teenager to forget to put them back in after lunch. Some teens do great with that responsibility. Others may do better with fixed braces that don't rely on daily compliance.

On the plus side, teens who choose Invisalign don't have to give up any foods. They can keep brushing and flossing the way they always have. Contact CitiDental of Woodhaven to talk through whether Invisalign or another orthodontic treatment option makes more sense for your teen.