If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, whether it’s to enhance your smile, address TMJ-related issues, or any other reason, you’ve come to the right place! At Texas Family Orthodontics, we’re thrilled to have you here. Our team, led by Dr. Katie Vo, is dedicated to providing top-notch orthodontic care to our amazing patients in San Antonio and Windcrest.
As part of our commitment to excellent care, we make sure our patients are aware of the latest and greatest treatment options available. And guess what? You might not have to deal with the hassle of traditional braces. That’s where Invisalign comes in – a fantastic alternative to traditional braces that offers several benefits. Keep reading to discover how you can make the most out of your Invisalign treatment with us!
What is Invisalign, anyway?
Great question! Invisalign is an advanced set of clear aligning trays that fit snugly over your teeth and gently move them into position over time. Much like traditional braces, they can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to render a full course of treatment.
Also, much like traditional braces, they are prescribed and administered by a trained orthodontist (or at least, they should be!).
While it might be true that any doctor or dentist technically could provide Invisalign treatment, the fact is that you are much better off coming in to see a specialist like Dr. Katie Vo of Texas Family Orthodontics. She has the experience and the latest in cutting-edge imaging and 3D printing technology.
How does Invisalign work?
To start with, you’ll come into Texas Family Orthodontics for a free consultation. Then, Dr. Vo and our skilled team will leverage the latest imaging technology to take a detailed scan of your teeth and jaws, at which point she will determine if Invisalign is right for you.
Isn’t Invisalign only for mild cases?
Not anymore! While every smile is different, and there are cases in which traditional metal braces are more appropriate to unlock your best possible smile, you’ll be happy to hear that Invisalign can now be used to treat moderate and complex cases.
Invisalign has been around for over 20 years. Thousands of case studies of missing teeth, extractions, surgery, corrections of bad bites, and more have been successfully treated with Invisalign!
I’m cleared for Invisalign: now what?
Now Dr. Vo will digitally design your smile and fabricate your Invisalign trays so your treatment can get started! She’ll develop an individualized treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcome for your case. You’ll wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, and with each set, tiny micro-adjustments to your teeth will be made, bringing them closer and closer to your perfect smile!
The process will repeat every two weeks, and after what generally runs from 9-15 months, you’ll finish! The best news is, with our remote monitoring system, Grin, you will need minimal visits to the office, but receive maximum oversight of your treatment!
Set yourself up for Success:
While Invisalign has some great benefits compared to traditional brackets, it will be your responsibility to ensure your treatment goes as smoothly as possible. Be sure to bear in mind the following tips to keep things moving!
Wear Your Aligners!
This may seem obvious, but since they’re removable, it’s up to you to keep your Invisalign trays in! Dr. Vo will likely tell you that you should wear your Invisalign aligners 22 hours per day and only remove them for eating, brushing your teeth, and sports or extracurricular activities.
Keep Your Appointments!
Just like with the first tip, it’s up to you to meet with Dr. Vo when needed to keep your treatment on track. You won’t have to come in for every new aligner set, but you will have to follow the schedule she gives you. Keep it up!
Alleviate Discomfort From New Aligners
While everyone here at Texas Family Orthodontics will work hard to ensure your Invisalign trays fit just how they’re supposed to and as comfortably as possible, some discomfort is not uncommon as you adjust to your new aligners. You can minimize this by avoiding hard crunchy foods when you notice discomfort, and switching to your new set of aligners early in the morning or right before bed. This gives you ample time to adjust and minimize discomfort from eating and daily activities.
Additionally, you can take over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil, smooth down any rough edges with a clean emery board, or use one of our soothing VPro devices to reduce discomfort while speeding up your treatment!
Hold On To Your Old Aligners
It’s usually best to keep your aligners in case you lose or break your current set. That way, you’ll have something handy to fill in while you wait for a replacement set. The previous set will ensure your teeth don’t shift back to their original positions while you wait for your new aligners to arrive.
Keep Up Great Oral Health Habits
This one should be obvious, but you’ll want to maintain healthy brushing and flossing habits. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that, unlike with traditional brackets, you won’t have to learn a new way to brush or floss!
Follow these tips, and you will surely have a great experience with Invisalign!
Wait – Isn’t Invisalign treatment shorter than braces?
Not quite! It turns out that what determines the length of your orthodontic treatment is your own biology and initial conditions. Invisalign treatment can be completed in a fairly short amount of time, and Dr. Vo will always work hard to develop the best and most efficient treatment plan for your particular case.
Unlock Your Brightest Smile with Texas Family Orthodontics!
Unlock Your Brightest Smile with Texas Family Orthodontics!Thank you so much for taking the time to learn more about your options for orthodontic treatment! We at Texas Family Orthodontics believe that a motivated patient who takes an active role in their treatment will often have the best success story.
There’s no better option for your smile than Dr. Vo and Texas Family Orthodontics if you’re in or around San Antonio or Windcrest! We’re a five-star rated practice, and we believe we constantly strive to earn that rating by being the best at what we do, providing the highest value, and dedicating ourselves to giving every patient an exceptional experience.
Dr. Vo is passionate about giving back to the community, and that includes the work she feels blessed to do at Texas Family Orthodontics. So call for your free consult today, and let’s find out if Invisalign is right for you!