Invisalign
Wentz Orthodontics was the first Elite Preferred Provider in West Texas. We are now a VIP Diamond Plus Invisalign provider, which means we are in the top 1% of Invisalign providers in the country.
Invisalign treatment is a technique that straightens your teeth without braces, using a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom-modeled to fit your teeth. The virtually invisible aligners gradually reposition your teeth into a smile of which you will be proud.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign has no metal bands or wires to trap food and plaque. Maintaining a good oral hygiene program will also reduce chances of plaque buildup, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. Invisalign is made to fit your lifestyle:
- Clear, virtually invisible aligners
- Removable, will not get in the way of your activities
- Easy to remove to eat, brush, and floss
- Graduate to a new set of aligners about every two weeks
- Easy to monitor your progress with regular appointments
- Effective for a wide range of smiles.
The Invisalign system has been successful in giving hundreds of thousands of amazing smiles to both teens and adults. Wentz orthodontics will create your individual treatment plan using Invisalign´s clear, custom-molded aligners to solve a range of issues, including: Overly crowded teeth, Widely spaced teeth, Overbites, Underbites, and Crossbites.
Not everyone is a candidate for the Invisalign aligner system. Please contact our office to schedule a consultation to see if the Invisalign system is right for you.
Why Invisalign?
Choosing to straighten your teeth is a big decision that affects not only your appearance but your lifestyle as well. As an adult, you may be looking to improve your smile for business and social reasons. Or perhaps you’re a teen or the parent of a teen looking for an effective yet modern-day solution. Either way, Invisalign and/or Invisalign Teen can provide a simple way to accomplish your goals without having to put your life on hold.
Sure… there are other options out there for straightening your teeth, but none offers the level of comfort and convenience that you’ll find with Invisalign. No matter what stage you’re at in life, you’ll appreciate how our cutting-edge approach to treatment has minimal interference in how you live but has a significant positive impact on how you look and feel about yourself.
While the results may appear the same, when you stop and compare Invisalign to other teeth-straightening options, the advantages become quite clear. With Invisalign, the aligner trays are not only smooth and comfortable to wear, but they’re also removable. That means you can continue doing all the things you normally would, from brushing and flossing to eating whatever you like.
Invisalign effectively treats a wide variety of cases, including crowding, spacing, crossbite, overbite, and underbite.
The Invisalign Process
Not all orthodontists work with Invisalign, so it’s important to find an orthodontist who has received the proper Invisalign training and can truly evaluate your needs and determine how Invisalign can help you. Wentz Orthodontics is an Elite Preferred Invisalign Provider, meaning that we are in the top 1% in the nation for providing Invisalign treatment…so you have come to the right spot.
Whether you’re considering Invisalign treatment for yourself or someone else, knowing more about the entire process can help you be more confident in your decision to choose Invisalign.
During your initial consultation, you and Dr. Wentz will discuss your concerns in detail to determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign. We will take x-rays, pictures, and impressions of your teeth, which will be used to create a digital 3-D image. From these images, Dr. Wentz will map out a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth and tell you the approximate length of treatment. While every case is unique to each patient, treatment typically takes approximately 12 to 18 months.
Based on your individual treatment plan, a series of custom-made, clear aligners is then created specifically for you. These aligners are made of a smooth, comfortable, BPA-free plastic that won’t irritate your cheeks and gums like traditional metal braces often do. Simply wear your aligners throughout the day and remove them when you eat or brush and floss your teeth. As you wear each set of aligners, your teeth gently and gradually begin to shift into place.
Approximately in one week, you will begin wearing a new set of aligners, advancing you to the next stage of your treatment. To monitor your progress, you will also have occasional checkups with our office, usually only every six weeks or so. For best results and a timely outcome, you should wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, throughout your entire treatment.
Invisalign Aligners
Proper upkeep and good oral hygiene are essential in keeping your Invisalign aligners clean, invisible, and odor free. The aligners can be easily removed for eating and drinking, however, failing to properly clean your aligners afterward can result in discoloration and a buildup of bacteria.
To maintain clarity, it is good to periodically clear debris from your aligners with a soft toothbrush and water, but do not use toothpaste due abrasives that can create micro-abrasions that make your aligners cloudy and dull.
You may use a denture cleaner to clean aligners or soak them in mouthwash.
- Rinse your aligners when you remove them: Dry saliva and plaque create a perfect breeding ground for foul-smelling bacteria.
- Brush and floss your teeth before reinserting your aligners: Proper oral hygiene is key in maintaining healthy teeth and avoiding cavities and decay.
- Brush your aligners gently: Vigorous brushing can scratch your aligners and leave visible etchings. Brush carefully!
Do not eat or drink (anything but water) while wearing Invisalign. Many foods and drinks can stain or discolor your aligners. And remember…using toothpaste to clean your aligners will scratch the plastic and dull your aligners. These scratches can also create small traps in your aligners for bacteria to dwell.
