Brace face. Railroad tracks. Metal mouth. For most people in Phoenix, the word “braces” reminds them of grade school teasing and unkind nicknames. Fortunately for anyone with crooked teeth, braces have changed dramatically since the days of awkward metal brackets and unwieldy wires. Invisalign is a great alternative to that childhood horror. The reason for this is obvious: the Invisalign teeth aligners are both transparent (so nobody will notice you’re wearing them) and removable (so you can take them out as needed). That means you won’t have to try to floss around wires or avoid sticky foods until your teeth are perfect. The Invisalign procedure is especially popular among Phoenix adults who want to avoid the stigma of wearing traditional braces, which is understandable. It’s much easier to take your boss seriously when aren’t reminded of junior high every time she smiles!

The way Invisalign works is simple. Your dentist will start by taking impressions and x-rays of your teeth. These will be used to create a series of clear plastic aligners which are designed to progressively guide your teeth into alignment. You would wear one aligner until your teeth have shifted sufficiently to begin using the next one. The aligners need to be worn for at least 20 hours every day, but should be removed when you eat, drink, and brush your teeth. Make sure you don’t lose your aligner when you take it out, though, because several months of straightening can be undone in a matter of days. Once you have completed the series and are happy with the results of Invisalign, your dentist will probably ask you to wear a retainer while you sleep to ensure that your teeth’s new alignment is permanent. On average, the whole process takes about a year. Contact Harris Dental in Phoenix to find out if Invisalign is right for you!