Invisalign® Archives -

October 1, 2021January 22, 2024

Top Five Ways to Speed Up Your Invisalign® Results

Invisalign® in Atlanta and Marietta, GA We have patients coming in every day to ask us about their Invisalign® options. Invisalign® is a great treatment option for patients who have minimal orthodontic concerns and wish to address them without the bulky appearance of braces. That being said, many of our patients are interested in learning how to speed up the extra time Invisalign® may take to address their concerns compared to traditional braces. Here are Dr. Wright’s top five ways to speed up your Invisalign® treatments for ultimate results.

1. Keep All of Your Invisalign® Appointments

Your Invisalign® appointments may be frequent, but their frequency has a reason. Each appointment is aimed at tracking your alignment process and allows Dr. Wright to tweak your treatment properly for ultimate results. Delaying these appointments can ultimately delay your overall treatment plan, as Dr. Wright won’t be able to address your concerns properly.

2. Wear Your Invisalign® as Directed

Your orthodontist will ask that you wear your Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours each and every day. Dr. Wright suggests only taking your aligners out if you are eating, or brushing and flossing your teeth. The rest of the time you spend throughout the day and night, you should always have your Invisalign® trays in. Wearing your aligners for shorter period of time or skipping days with aligners may slow down your treatment and delay your desired results.

3. Change Your Trays Out Regularly

Changing out your trays regularly goes hand-in-hand with keeping your Invisalign® appointments and wearing your trays as directed. Making sure you switch out your trays when you’re supposed to will keep your teeth shifting process on track with your original timeline. Delaying this change will ultimately delay your results.

4. Ask Dr. Wright About Acceleration Techniques

Many of our patients did not know that acceleration techniques are available to help move the shifting process along. If you do qualify for an acceleration treatment, you may be asked to use a vibration device that fits over your aligners for up to 20 minutes each day. The micro-vibrations help facilitate your teeth’s movement, allowing for shifting to take place more easily.

5. Consider Short-Term Cosmetic Braces

If you’re thinking to yourself “I just want my teeth to look better,” cosmetic Invisalign® aligners may be right for you. This alternative Invisalign® treatment only addresses the teeth that are visible when you smile. While you won’t get the added orthodontic benefits of shifting the rest of your teeth or adjusting your bite, you will be able to improve the look of your teeth in a shorter period of time.

If you’re interested in learning more about when or how to get started with your orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to contact us and set up your private consultation with Dr. Wright. He’ll be happy to sit down with you, listen to your concerns, evaluate your teeth, and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you get a smile you can be proud of.

September 1, 2021January 22, 2024

How Often Do I Need to Wear my Invisalign®?

Invisalign® has quickly become a fan-favorite among patients who wish to improve their smiles without having to go through a traditional treatment with metal braces. That being said, there’s still a lot of misinformation spread about how easy Invisalign® is versus the results they provide. Dr. Wright and his team are here to let you know how often you need to wear your Invisalign® trays to achieve the best results from your Invisalign® treatment.

How Invisalign® Works

Invisalign® works by slowly shifting the position of the teeth over time using custom-made invisible aligner trays. Every one to two weeks, patients will be asked to change out their aligner tray for a new one that fits a little more snug against the teeth. Over a series of months, the small shifting in each aligner tray allows for real and dramatic results.

Your Invisalign® Results

Invisalign® results won’t happen overnight. That being said, many of our patients report being able to see a noticeable difference in their teeth’s appearance in as little as 10 to 12 weeks. Each patient is different and may require a different timeline to achieve their ultimate desired results. Most patients are typically able to reap the full benefits of their Invisalign® treatments within 18 months of putting in their initial trays.

How to Get the Best Results from Your Invisalign® Treatment

It’s important for our patients to know a few guidelines in order to achieve the best results from their Invisalign® treatments. Here are a few key notes Dr. Wright shares with each of his patients before fitting them for Invisalign® trays:

Patients are able to see the best results from their Invisalign® when they wear their trays between 20 and 22 hours each day. This means only taking out the Invisalign® trays to brush your teeth, floss, and eat.
In order to ensure you get the best results from your Invisalign® treatments, we encourage our patients to be diligent in keeping their maintenance appointments. Switching your trays often and seeing your orthodontist regularly can ensure you get the best results possible while you have your aligners.
Ask for help if you need it. Asking patients to be open and honest with us is a big priority we have at our office. You’re the only person that knows what’s going on with your teeth and how they feel. Ask Dr. Wright questions about your treatment if you’re unsure about something and always keep an open line of communication.

April 15, 2019January 22, 2024

SureSmile® vs. Invisalign® Services in Atlanta, GA

Your smile is important, so you want the best treatment options to get that perfect smile. Dr. Wright offers the most advanced teeth straightening methods to help you achieve that smile in the best possible way.

If you are thinking about straightening your teeth, you will want to consider treatment with SureSmile® or Invisalign®. The following information tells you about both of these cutting-edge treatment plans.

SureSmile®

SureSmile® is an innovative orthodontic treatment that utilizes advanced technologies to straighten teeth in dramatically less time than traditional orthodontics. In fact, your treatment time with SureSmile® can be reduced by as much as 40 percent, with fewer office visits as well. Dr. Wright is one of only 10 dentists in Georgia who offers SureSmile® treatment.

SureSmile® is the most advanced teeth-straightening system available today. It straightens your teeth with greater precision and accuracy and achieves noticeable results in a shorter time frame than conventional braces.

By using imaging, software and special robotic technology, SureSmile® allows the orthodontist to design a series of customized archwires that create a more precise alignment of teeth. Traditional braces rely on taking molds of your teeth and bending wires by hand, but SureSmile® uses incredibly detailed 3-dimensional digital molds to guide treatment. With these 3-D models, orthodontists are able to design the individual movements for each of your teeth, from start to finish, through virtual simulation. By setting the final outcome up front, the orthodontist can keep teeth moving directly to the prescribed position through a more predictable process.

The SureSmile® robot will fabricate custom archwires to use at each step of the treatment process. When attached to the brackets on a patient’s teeth, these wires create the most comfortable positioning possible while driving more efficient movement of the teeth. Because the robot can make smaller and tighter bends in the wires, teeth move more precisely and directly toward their final situations.

When comparing SureSmile® to traditional braces, SureSmile® offers a higher level of precision, fewer office visits, less discomfort and quicker results.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is an innovative orthodontic treatment that is much less obvious than traditional braces. Instead of metal brackets and wires, Invisalign® uses clear plastic aligner trays to straighten teeth and correct jaw issues. Invisalign® aligner trays are virtually unnoticeable, so you won’t feel self-conscious about your smile. These custom-made trays are very comfortable and easy to wear. Also, the trays can be removed when eating or drinking, making it easier to keep your teeth clean.

With Invisalign®, you wear a custom-made set of aligner trays for two weeks and then switch them out for another set that continues to slowly adjust your teeth with virtually no pain.

Some of the issues that can be corrected with Invisalign® include:

Crooked teeth
Gapped teeth
Widely spaced teeth
Overbite
Underbite
Crossbite

Invisalign® is a popular choice for both adults and teens.

To learn more about SureSmile® and Invisalign®, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Wright Orthodontics has two convenient locations to serve you in Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia. As always, your initial consultation at Wright Orthodontics is offered free of charge with no hidden fees.

November 30, 2018January 22, 2024

What Foods Can I Eat with Invisalign® in Atlanta, GA?

When you have braces, you have restrictions on which foods you can eat. Some foods could damage traditional braces. But with Invisalign®, there are no food restrictions because you remove the aligner trays when you eat. Since the aligner trays are not in the mouth during meals, you can eat whatever you want because the trays will not be affected by the food you consume. Since you won’t be wearing your trays during the meal, you can eat like you normally would.

If you are experiencing some discomfort adjusting to your new aligner trays, soft foods like eggs, yogurt and pasta can help ease any discomfort.

Brush and Floss After Every Meal

It is extremely important that you brush and floss after every meal. Never put your aligner trays back in without brushing first. Sticky and sugary foods can cling to the surfaces of the teeth and promote tooth decay. If you put your aligner trays back in before properly cleaning your teeth, you can trap this food debris and create an environment for cavities and tooth decay.

Staining the Aligner Trays

If you are a smoker, always remove your aligner trays before smoking. Smoking can stain your aligner trays.

Always remove your Invisalign® aligner trays before eating or drinking something that could permanently stain them. This includes coffee, tea and wine. Your aligner trays are made of a clear thermoplastic, which is sensitive to heat. Always remember that hot liquids may distort the shape of the aligner tray and affect its ability to perform as prescribed.

Best Foods to Eat with Invisalign®

There are no restrictions on eating with Invisalign® (you can eat anything you want to) – but there are some foods that are healthier for teeth than others. Here are some great foods to eat to support the health of your teeth whether you’re wearing Invisalign® or not:

Cheese – It’s rich in calcium, vitamin D and healthy fats.
Yogurt – It provides a lot of calcium, protein and beneficial bacteria.
Apples – When you eat an apple, your body produces more saliva that helps to wash away bacteria and any leftover food particles from your mouth.
Carrots – Their crunchy texture can help clear away food particles and plaque, and encourage your mouth to produce saliva.
Leafy Greens – Leafy greens are packed with minerals and vitamins that your body needs to keep bones strong (and teeth are bones). They’re also high in calcium.
Almonds – They provide you with calcium and protein, and their crunch can help to protect your teeth from plaque growth.
Celery – It’s filled with vitamins, and the texture helps to clear away food particles in the teeth.
Cucumbers – Their high water content hydrates the mouth as you eat, and the chewing motion is great for your teeth.
Onions – They contain antibacterial properties that can help kill off the bacteria that might be breeding in your mouth.

To learn more about Invisalign® treatments, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Wright Orthodontics has two convenient locations to serve you in Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia. As always, your initial consultation at Wright Orthodontics is offered free of charge with no hidden fees.

October 31, 2018January 22, 2024

Atlanta Residents Ask: Is Invisalign® Quicker Than Braces?

If you are considering treatment with Invisalign®, you may have wondered: Does Invisalign® work faster than braces?

Yes, Invisalign® treatment is significantly quicker than treatment with braces. With braces, the usual time frame for treatment is about two years. With adults who get braces, the treatment time can be even longer. But with Invisalign®, the average treatment time is about 12 to 18 months for both adults and children.

In general, Invisalign® takes less time than braces to move teeth into the proper position due to the type of force this process uses to move the teeth. The one-piece aligners in Invisalign® treatments are able to provide force to the teeth as a whole whereas braces move each tooth individually.

How Invisalign® Works

The first step is to take digital photos or impressions of the patient’s teeth. The aligner trays that you will wear are formed based upon that digital impression. The aligners are BPA-free clear plastic, which means that they are both safe and comfortable to wear.

To gradually move the teeth, new aligners are received every two weeks or so. Once the patient begins treatment, it quickly becomes obvious how fast the teeth are actually moving. For some, the movement may be so fast that they will need new aligner trays in less than two weeks. A dental appointment is necessary every four to six weeks so that the dentist can ensure that everything is on track as it should be.

Less Pain Than Braces

Most patients who are using braces will experience pain with each new set of wires. And the braces may get in the way of some activities or cause lip lacerations. Invisalign® aligner trays have no wires or brackets, and the smooth plastic trays will not lacerate the mouth.

Even though Invisalign® is a much faster teeth straightening method than braces, it is not painful. Invisalign® is designed for a much more natural movement of the teeth, resulting in vastly decreased pain levels.

October 15, 2018January 22, 2024

What Is the Ideal Age Range for Invisalign® Patients in Marietta, GA?

Invisalign® is a convenient, effective and virtually invisible treatment for straightening teeth that appeals to both adults and children. While people of all ages have been treated with Invisalign®, many people wonder at what age a child should start Invisalign® treatment.

Requirements for Starting Invisalign® Treatments

With Invisalign® treatment, it’s more about meeting certain conditions than being a certain age.

Before a child or adolescent can begin Invisalign® treatment, there are certain criteria that must be met. Here are the conditions that must occur before you can begin treatment with Invisalign®:

Loss of all first teeth (baby teeth)
Eruption of all permanent incisors and first molars
Wisdom teeth (second and third molars) do not need to have erupted yet – Invisalign® trays can allocate space for these teeth to come in
There should be no significant tooth decay or damage to the teeth
The patient must be mature enough to comply with treatment (aligning trays must be worn 24 hours per day, every day, or the treatment will not work)

Treatment with Invisalign® may be indicated for patients as young as eleven or twelve, depending upon whether or not the patient has met the criteria above. Each case is different. In general, girls will most likely be ready for Invisalign® treatment before boys because they typically mature faster than boys.

How to Know If You’re a Candidate for Invisalign®

To determine whether or not you are a candidate for Invisalign® treatment, the patient’s mouth will need to be x-rayed. This will determine the position of all teeth, and it will also determine how much space is needed for remaining teeth to erupt past the gum line.

Invisalign® Treatment for Adults

If you are an adult seeking Invisalign® treatment, you may worry that you have waited too long to seek treatment. If you are older, it is bone density, not age, that will determine whether or not you are a candidate for treatment. Since older people tend to have problems with bone density, some teeth may present problems while other teeth move very easily. Some older patients find that they may have to wear their trays for a longer period of time as an adult.

September 30, 2018January 22, 2024

Atlanta Residents Ask: Is Invisalign® a Permanent Fix?

When you remove your last set of Invisalign® aligners, you’ll see your beautiful new smile, but there is still a little bit of work to be done to make sure that new smile will last a lifetime.

The Two Phases of Invisalign® Treatment: Active and Retention

During the active stage of Invisalign® treatment, a series of clear, custom-made aligners will slowly move your teeth into the proper position. The aligner trays are made of clear, smooth plastic, and they fit comfortably over your teeth. Invisalign® can be used to treat a variety of dental issues including crooked teeth, gapped teeth, widely spaced teeth, overbite, underbite and crossbite.

During the active phase of Invisalign® treatment, your teeth will actually move. You’ll wear a set of aligners for two weeks; then you will switch them out for another set of aligners that continue to adjust your teeth. This process continues until the active phase of treatment is complete. The force caused by your aligners will cause changes in the teeth, the supporting tissues, the periodontal ligaments, the bone and the gums. New bone and tissue form around the space left behind and secure the teeth into their new positions.

When the active phase of treatment is complete, you’ll stop wearing the aligners. Once the force is gone (the aligners are no longer putting pressure on your teeth), the teeth have a tendency to want to shift back to their old places. So after the active phase of Invisalign® treatment, you’ll go into a retention phase of treatment. This is when you will wear a retainer. The retainer will hold the teeth in the desired position so there is less likelihood of drifting or reversion. Typically, you will wear your retainer for a short time and then transition to wearing it only at night when you go to sleep.

After putting the time, effort and expense into Invisalign® treatments, you’ll want to make sure your results are long lasting, so don’t skip the retainer step.

April 15, 2018January 22, 2024

Can Invisalign® Fix an Overbite?

Our patients with an overbite frequently inquire whether Invisalign® is a potential solution. The answer is “yes!” Invisalign® is a technologically-advanced orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligner trays to straighten teeth without being very noticeable. They are offered to adults seeking orthodontic treatments because they require more diligence and responsibility on the part of patients to consistently wear and care for them.

In its inception, Invisalign® was used to treat mild issues such as overcrowding and minor teeth realignment. As the treatment progressed, Invisalign® has been recommended for more orthodontic issues, including an overbite.

What is an Overbite?

An overbite is a dental condition in which the upper teeth noticeably protrude out from the lower teeth when the mouth is closed, and teeth are clenched together. It may result from thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, excessive use of bottles or pacifiers, or, simply, genetics.

For those with an extensive overbite, it is common for the upper teeth to protrude over the bottom lip (horizontal overbite). When adults suffer from overbites and want to correct their teeth, they may be even concerned about the awkwardness of wearing metal braces.

How Does Invisalign® Fix an Overbite?

Invisalign® is used most often in patients with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. Unless the overbite is severe, orthodontists can fix an overbite with Invisalign®. The key to successful treatments for overbites is following the protocol and wearing the aligners continuously to ensure the teeth are moved into the correct position.

With Invisalign®, clear aligner trays are worn about 22 hours a day – all the time except when eating and brushing. Over time, the aligners push protruding teeth back and into their proper position. Every two weeks, new trays are placed over the teeth to continue the process of moving the teeth.

Patients with overbites typically require treatment times of up to two years depending on the extent of the protrusion. Once the treatment is complete, they must wear retainers to ensure their teeth stay in place until the gums and bones around the teeth are able to secure the teeth.

What About Severe Overbites?

Severe overbites may require a more extensive protocol such as traditional metal braces. This is due to the control that the wire and brackets have in shifting teeth back into their correct positions then pushing them back to diminish the overbite. Some severe overbites require orthodontic treatments to expand the skeletal area of the mouth to accommodate the repositioning of the teeth.

Can Overbites be Prevented?

Overbites can be minimized or prevented by averting childhood habits like thumb sucking and nail-biting. When genetics is at play, early intervention is important. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children see an orthodontist as early as age seven.

Let’s Correct Your Overbite

Adults with overbites have options to correct their misaligned teeth. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Marc S. Wright to see if Invisalign® or another treatment is the best option to correct an overbite.