You’ve probably considered the cosmetic benefits of straighter teeth. After all, you know your smile would be more appealing if your teeth were straighter. But you may not realize that along with that cosmetic improvement, you’re likely to feel a boost in your self-confidence and improvement in your overall oral health.
Properly aligned teeth mean that cleanings are more effective and problems are easier for Dr. Meriem Boukadoum to spot during your regular visits to 54th Street Dental.
As much as you’d like straight teeth, though, you’ve probably heard enough horror stories about braces to make you pause. New systems like Invisalign® mean that you can get straighter teeth without the legendary hassles of metal braces.
Clear aligners are nearly impossible to see when you wear them, and they are removable, so you can eat or drink comfortably.
Effective but unseen
Unlike metal braces, which are obvious the whole time you’re wearing them, your Invisalign straightening trays are nearly invisible when you’re wearing them. For best results, you should wear your aligners for about 20-22 hours each day, but that shouldn’t be a problem. The people around you are unlikely to even realize you’re wearing them.
One of the first steps in the aligning process is a detailed 3D scan of your teeth. This scan allows us to create custom aligner trays, designed specifically for your mouth. These trays are molded from an exclusive patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack®.
Your trays are only invisible if they aren’t stained, so take proper care of them. Avoid washing your aligners with soaps containing colored dyes, and remove your trays out whenever you eat or drink to keep stains from forming. Invisalign has products designed to help you safely store and clean your trays.
Steady, gradual straightening
One big perk of choosing Invisalign rather than traditional braces is that you don’t need to come into our dental office as often. Typically, patients only need to come in for a checkup every few weeks, depending on your specific treatment plan.
Your trays come in an order that slowly shifts your teeth into the correct position. You wear a set for a week or two, as directed, and then you’re ready for the next tray in the sequence. We usually give our patients a few sets of trays at each visit so you don’t have to return to our office as often as you would with braces.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of Invisalign, as well as whether you’re a good candidate for this cutting-edge aligning system, book a consultation with Dr. Boukadoum at 54th Street Dental. Our office is located in Midtown West in Manhattan. You can request an appointment using our online tool, or feel free to give us a call at 212-333-3200, and we’ll be happy to schedule your appointment.