Is there a Mississauga dentist ‘near me’ for straight answers on whether Invisalign braces are comfortable?

Countless people living in the Mississauga area want to have straight, attractive teeth. Yet most of them would like to do so without wearing braces. They are interested in Invisalign clear aligners, but may be worried about whether Invisalign treatment is comfortable. Are you one of them? If you are looking for a dentist “near me” who will take time to answer questions and give factual guidance, your search is over. Dr. Rina Kotecha at Dentistry on 10 loves helping patients of all ages find treatment that suit their needs.

Background on Invisalign

The concept of Invisalign developed in the late 1990’s when an orthodontic patient named Zia Chishti arrived at the final stage of treatment. He questioned why, if a retainper could hold teeth in position, couldn’t a series of retainer-like devices bring teeth into alignment with small, incremental movements? He, along with partner Kelsey Wirth, developed the Invisalign system. They received FDA approval in 1998, and began to market Invisalign the following year. As of 2014, there were 2.4 million global Invisalign patients, and 80,000 dentists trained in the system. Dr. Kotecha is one of them.

Initially, Invisalign was considered a solution for cosmetic alignment. Today, with advances such as Invisalign Express 5 and 10; Invisalign 1.5; and Invisalign G3, G4, and G5 technology, this treatment is appropriate for a broad range of misalignment and bite issues.

About treatment

Invisalign accomplishes orthodontic straightening through an entirely different treatment model than conventional bands, brackets, and wires. The process begins with a thorough examination and consultation to determine if Invisalign is the most appropriate choice for your situation. Digital impressions are taken of your mouth. High-resolution panoramic images and precise measurements go to Invisalign laboratories. A multifaceted software program uses that information to create your personalized treatment plan – a series of aligners designed to bring teeth into beautiful alignment, efficiently. This virtual treatment plan lets you see, on a computer monitor, how your smile will change during Invisalign therapy, and what your results will look like.

You receive a set of aligners – clear plastic appliances that look something like mouthguards. You wear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day, before progressing to the next pair in the series. Aligners precisely shift the position of teeth with gentle, low-force pressure. Checkup visits, about every six weeks, are brief, allowing Dr. Kotecha to monitor progress and adjust your wearing schedule if needed.

The truth about Invisalign comfort

Most patients who are interested in Invisalign as an alternative to braces quickly grasp the visible benefit. Aligners are transparent, so most people don’t even realize you are wearing them. Yet comfort may be a concern. The following points are important to consider:

• Aligners are made of smooth plastic. There are no sharp or hard components to irritate cheeks, lips, or gums, causing mouth sores, so no dental wax is needed for protection.
• Awkwardness of adapting to treatment is minimal. Braces impact speech, chewing, drinking, hygiene, and even saliva production. It usually takes Invisalign patients a day or less to adapt to inserting and removing aligners, drinking water with the appliances in place, and speaking clearly. Eating normally is not an issue, since aligners are removed at mealtime. As an unexpected side benefit, many patients snack less during treatment, developing healthier eating habits.
• Brushing and flossing is a breeze, since aligners come out. There is no complicated flossing technique to learn, and you do not have to invest in a water flosser. Dr. Kotecha’s hygienists keep your teeth sparklingclean at regular checkups, too.
• Ask any adult who wore braces as kid what he or she remembers most about treatment. Chances are the answer will be “those awful wire tightening appointments.” While conventional orthodontics are still the best choice for complex cases, and that entails using wires and brackets to shift the position of teeth, those visits can be uncomfortable. Because Invisalign aligners are swapped out at two-week intervals, change occurs in very small increments. A new set of aligners may feel tight for a day or two, but any discomfort from the tension is easily relieved with over the counter analgesics.

Do you have additional questions about Invisalign? Call the dentist “near me” in Mississauga with answers – Dr. Rina Kotecha at Dentistry on 10. The number is (905) 455-9262.

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