Dr. Vernon Sheen is an Annapolis Invisalign Preferred Provider! Invisalign® is a state-of-the-art treatment option for people who want straight teeth without the use of braces. This clear aligner system is discreet and will not impact your appearance or quality of life. It is one of the cosmetic dentistry services that Dr. Vernon Sheen provides at his Annapolis, Maryland, dental office.
It is safe and effective for teens and adults wanting a straight, natural-looking smile. There is no need to spend two to four years wearing braces or other alignment correction products. The aligners are made of ultra-thin, ultra-clear, hard, soft plastic. Invisalign provides the best results when it comes to overall comfort, convenience, and confidence in your smile.
Is Invisalign the right choice for me?
Invisalign is the best treatment for you if you do not want to wear braces but need orthodontic treatment. Both teens and adults who need mild to moderate orthodontic treatment can use Invisalign.
Dr. Sheen, our dentist in Annapolis, MD, will examine your condition to determine if you qualify for Invisalign. It can be used as follow-up care for previous orthodontic treatment and to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Crooked teeth
- Tooth crowding
- Spaces between teeth
- Narrow tooth arches
- Underbite or overbite
- Crossbite
The benefits of Invisalign include the following:
- Treatment is discreet
- Comfortable treatment with soft aligners that do not irritate the gums
- Patients can enjoy a normal diet with the ability to remove aligners when eating
- Removable aligners make daily brushing and flossing easier, reducing the risk of tooth decay or gum disease
Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces
Traditional metal braces use metal wires, brackets, and colorful elastics to straighten teeth over time. Compared to braces, Invisalign treatment is more discreet because it uses clear plastic aligners. Teens and adults who do not want to attract attention to their smile during orthodontic treatment benefit from clear Invisalign aligners.
Patients who receive braces need to visit the orthodontist more frequently. They receive new wires at these visits, and their brackets are tightened. These adjustments can cause pain; new wires can irritate and poke the gums. Patients only need to switch out their aligners for new pairs with Invisalign.
It is also difficult to clean between braces wires, and brackets. With Invisalign, patients can remove their aligners to brush and flush their teeth and gums unimpeded. Invisalign offers a more convenient and comfortable way to straighten teeth.
The Invisalign Process
The Invisalign process begins with digital impressions taken in our Annapolis area dentist office. Dr. Sheen will use the images of your teeth to create your treatment plan. He will then send it to the Invisalign lab.
Dr. Sheen utilizes CAD/CAM technology to custom-design your clear retainers. This technology allows for accurate and predictable results.
The CAD/CAM software will precisely map the tooth movement required and can even offer a glimpse of what your new smile will look like when complete.
You will then receive your first set of aligners that will slowly move the teeth into the proper position. The clear, removable aligners are changed every two weeks as your teeth slowly shift. The clear aligners are comfortable and removable and shift your teeth in about 6-12 months.
The number of aligners and treatment time will depend on the level of correction you need to achieve optimal dental health and your cosmetic goals.
You must wear your clear braces for 22 hours a day. This allows you to remove them to eat and continue a normal oral hygiene routine. Dr. Sheen suggests all patients using Invisalign attend regular appointments so he can monitor their progress and make any changes to the treatment plan.
Once your treatment is complete, we will give you a retainer to wear daily to maintain your new smile.
Retainers and Orthodontic Relapse
We will provide custom-made retainers to wear once you complete the Invisalign treatment. At first, you will wear these retainers constantly. Then, after several months, you can wear these retainers at night. Wearing retainers consistently will keep your teeth straight and prevent orthodontic relapse.
Orthodontic relapse is a condition that occurs if you do not wear retainers following your Invisalign treatment. Other factors, including aging, genetics, and bruxism, can contribute to orthodontic relapse. Your teeth may shift out of position, meaning you can see gaps between your teeth, misaligned teeth, and overcrowding.
Sometimes, we recommend Invisalign for patients who may have received orthodontic treatment in the past but experienced orthodontic relapse. However, if your orthodontic relapse is mild, we will create a new set of retainers to keep your teeth straight. Don’t wait to contact us if you have an orthodontic relapse. We can help you get your straight teeth back.
Invisalign FAQs
Learn more about Invisalign treatment in our Annapolis, MD dental office with answers to these commonly asked patient questions:
Am I a candidate for Invisalign?
Teens and adults are great candidates for Invisalign because they have all their adult teeth. Invisalign works best on patients who have all of their adult teeth and are in good oral health. If we have to address outstanding dental problems, we can do so before treatment. Once patients are healthy, we can begin Invisalign.
What can I eat with Invisalign?
With Invisalign, you can eat anything you want! Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are removable, so you can take them out before meals and snacks. This means you don’t have to worry about avoiding certain foods that could get stuck or damage metal braces.
Does Invisalign hurt more than traditional braces?
Wearing Invisalign clear aligners does not hurt more than traditional metal braces. Clear aligners are custom-made to fit snuggly in your mouth. They will move your teeth slowly and gently so that you have less pain and discomfort than other options.
Will my dental insurance cover Invisalign treatment?
Your dental insurance can cover Invisalign as orthodontic dental care. However, if you use it strictly for cosmetic purposes, your insurance may not cover the treatment. Give us a call, and we can determine if your provider will cover treatment for you. You can also reach out to your provider directly.
How long is Invisalign treatment?
Every patient is different. On average, patients can complete Invisalign treatment within 12 or more months. Some patients will require more or less time based on their orthodontic problems. Wearing the Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day will also keep you on track for completing Invisalign treatment on time.
What happens after Invisalign?
Once your treatment is complete, you will need to wear a retainer to maintain your new smile. A retainer is your first line of defense against orthodontic relapse. It is the only thing that helps prevent teeth from shifting out of place after orthodontics treatment. If you relapse after treatment, you may have to go through treatment again. This will cost you more time and money.
How many times can you take your Invisalign aligners out per day?
You can take your Invisalign aligners to eat, drink, and brush your teeth. Do not leave your aligners off your teeth for more than 3 to 4 hours daily. You want to wear your aligners for 20 or more hours daily.
Is Invisalign uncomfortable?
Invisalign is generally more comfortable than traditional braces, but you may feel some mild discomfort when you first start wearing a new set of aligners. This is because the aligners are gently shifting your teeth into place, and the pressure can cause some soreness.
However, this feeling usually goes away after a few days as your mouth adjusts. Most patients find the aligners easy to wear, and since they are smooth and removable, there’s no worry about wires or brackets poking your cheeks or gums like with metal braces.
Learn More About Invisalign from Dr. Vernon Sheen
If you’re considering Invisalign, contact our dentist in Annapolis, MD, Dr. Vernon Sheen, to find out if this discreet orthodontic treatment is right for you. Call (443) 482-5202 or schedule a consultation online.