Invisalign® clear aligners: Get straighter teeth without the hassle of braces

For almost 50 years, Drs. Goodman, Ko, and Associates office has provided advanced and trusted cosmetic and prosthetic dentistry services to individuals and their families in Milford and across southeastern Massachusetts. 

Today, Drs. Alan Ko, Brittany Bressler, and Saeed Kashefi, carry this legacy. Our dentists have considerable continuing education and training on the latest, greatest, and safest dental treatments, technologies, and procedures. 

Invisalign® is among those “latest” and tech-based treatments. This orthodontic alternative to braces uses special oral appliances called clear aligners to reposition the teeth gradually. Since its debut in the late 1990s, Invisalign’s applications have evolved. 

Today, we may recommend Invisalign® for everything from more modest crowding and cosmetic misalignment to more extensive “bite” problems such as “overbite” and “underbite.”  With the correct diagnosis, we could even use the tool to help patients with headaches and TMJ issues.  One of the key differences in our philosophy at Drs. Goodman and Ko are to create more space for the tongue which at times could help with airway and breathing.  These and other bite-related concerns can be effectively, comfortably, and conveniently resolved with Invisalign® treatment.

The Invisalign® approach 

Invisalign® aligners or aligner trays resemble other types of appliances, such as retainers. They are made from clear or transparent plastic. Since the plastic is smooth and flexible, it wears well. It doesn’t cause discomfort or sores and requires a minimal adjustment period. 

 Additionally, Invisalign® aligners are easy to clean. Importantly, they can be removed when eating, brushing, and flossing. This feature helps to maintain oral health and good nutrition. 

All of these unique characteristics also provide attractive advantages over braces. 

While effective, braces require wearing “fixed” (non-removable) brackets, wires, and bands throughout treatment. To progress with restorative, the dentist or orthodontist must tighten or adjust the braces during regular visits. 

Also, braces have traditionally been made from metals such as stainless steel. The silver hue of these metals sticks out in the smile, and the wires tend to poke at delicate tissues inside of the mouth. They are also vulnerable to breakage, requiring another trip to the dentist’s or orthodontist’s office. 

Lastly, it can be hard to adjust to life with braces. Eating can be a hassle. You may not be able to enjoy your favourite foods. Cleaning your teeth, gums, and braces is also a high-maintenance task. However, improper oral hygiene is a risk factor for destructive conditions like tooth decay and gum disease. 

Treatment with Invisalign® avoids these and other challenges traditionally associated with orthodontic systems like braces. The appliances place consistent force on the teeth to gradually reposition them. But you are in the driver’s seat. 

You do not have to depend on a dental professional to adjust an appliance for treatment to progress correctly and on schedule. With that being said, patient compliance is essential! 

Be sure to:

• Wear the aligner tray at all times.
• Only remove the aligner when eating and cleaning the teeth and gums or the tray.
• Visit our office as advised by Doctors. Ko, Bressler, Kashefi, or Goodman. These periodic visits allow them to check your teeth and ensure everything progresses as planned.
• Wear the aligners in the correct order. Complete treatment requires a series of aligner trays. Each tray looks very similar yet is slightly different to correspond with varying phases of treatment.

During your consultation, we will use advanced software to create a three-dimensional model of your mouth. Using this model, we will show you exactly how your teeth will move throughout treatment and what your smile will look like afterwards! These virtual models are also used to fabricate your invisible aligners precisely.

Schedule an Invisalign® consultation today. Call our Milford, MA office at (508) 850-0686.

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