Ask the Dentist: Can My Teeth be Straightened Without Metal Braces?

Absolutely! River Street Dental now offers Invisalign® - a breakthrough way to straighten your teeth without braces! No metal brackets to attach, no wires to tighten: just a beautiful and confident smile you've always wanted!

SAVE THE DATE: Join us on October 10^th from 4pm – 7pm at River Street Dental for an Invisalign Open House. Come and learn more about Invisalign! A presentation on Invisalign will be given every half hour and then you may have a personal consultation with Dr. Carroll if you would like to learn more.

How does Invisalign Treatment Work?

Invisalign clear aligners are custom-made for you. The aligners are virtually invisible and fit snugly over your teeth. Each aligner shifts your teeth slightly, moving them horizontally and vertically and even rotating them when needed. Your aligners are engineered to use the right amount of force in the right place at the right time.

When you change to the next set of aligners (typically every week) your teeth gradually move into position, following a custom treatment plan mapped out by Dr. Carroll.

Invsialign aligner trays are worn 20 to 22 hours a day, taking them out to eat and brush. The aligner trays are not only smooth and comfortable to wear, but they're also removable. That means you can continue doing all the things you normally would, from brushing and flossing, to eating whatever you like.

Special occasion coming up? No problem — just take your aligners out for that time and pop them back in when you're ready. Of course, even when you're wearing them, most people won't even know you're going through treatment, because they are virtually invisible!

Health Benefits of Straight Teeth

You may be surprised to know that the benefits of having properly aligned teeth extend far beyond a confident smile. According to the American Dental Association, straightening your teeth can actually significantly affect your overall dental health.1 Think about it — a smile can hardly be perfect if it's not a healthy one. Fortunately, with Invisalign®, having a confident smile and reducing your risk for tooth decay and gum disease go hand in hand.

Healthier Teeth and Gums

Swollen, red gums can often be the result of having teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced. Unfortunately, these are also signs of periodontal disease. When teeth are properly aligned, it helps the gums fit more securely around the teeth, allowing for the strongest and healthiest defense against potential periodontal problems. That’s where Invisalign comes in. The comfortable and clear aligners gently and gradually begin to move your teeth into the proper position — without unsightly brackets and wires.

Easier Cleaning

One of the biggest challenges of having braces is removing all the food that gets trapped in the brackets and wires. This can often lead to plaque buildup and eventually tooth decay. With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so it’s easy to continue brushing and flossing your teeth the way you normally do.

Overall Health

Think of your teeth as a window to the health of your body. Your teeth and gums — and how they look to others when you smile—say a lot about your overall health. If you're taking good care of both, you're probably taking good care of the rest of you.

Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by bacteria. Left untreated, they can cause mouth sores, tender or bleeding gums, bad breath, and possible tooth loss. Studies by the American Dental Association have shown that oral infections can also lead to other more serious ailments such as heart disease,2 stroke,3 pneumonia4 and diabetes.5 Invisalign aligners make daily oral hygiene easier, thus reducing the risk of possible problems.

And correctly aligned teeth can also alleviate the issues that can be caused by an improper bite, speech or chewing difficulties, jaw problems, and increased wear on the tooth enamel. Invisalign effectively addresses all of these orthodontic issues, so you'll have the confidence of a great smile and increase the likelihood of improved oral health.

Open House

Join us on October 10^th from 4pm – 7pm at River Street Dental for an Invisalign Open House. Come and learn more about Invisalign! A presentation on Invisalign will be given every half hour and then you may have a personal consultation with Dr. Carroll if you would like to learn more.