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Invisalign Specialist

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Invisalign services offered in Richmond , TX

Would you love a straighter smile without a mouth full of metal brackets and wires? If so, InvisalignⓇ offers a solution and is among the services available from Nicole Thompson, DMD, of Lovely Smiles Orthodontics in Richmond, Texas. When you’re ready to learn more about the Invisalign process, booking an appointment is as simple as a phone call or a few moments online. 

Invisalign Q & A

What are some benefits of Invisalign?

One of the biggest advantages of Invisalign over traditional metal braces is the chance to beautify your smile without the metallic shine of metal brackets and other components. Because Invisalign uses a tray-based approach, your alignment can move forward without anyone noticing.

The clear plastic aligner trays used in Invisalign are also more comfortable to wear than metal brackets. The trays are shaped to snap over the surface of your natural teeth, without any sharp edges or wires that can damage the soft tissues of your tongue, cheek, or gums. 

Perhaps the biggest advantage of Invisalign is the fact that your aligner trays are completely removable. This allows you to continue your existing dental hygiene routines without having to work around individual brackets, which provide a multitude of hiding places for plaque and bacteria. 

Am I a good candidate for Invisalign?

Invisalign offers an outstanding alignment option for most people and can improve many of the same alignment issues as traditional braces. Some examples of treatable cases include:

  • Overbite
  • Underbite
  • Open bite
  • Cross bite
  • Mix of permanent and baby teeth
  • General misalignment
  • Gapped teeth

It’s important to note that some alignment needs are better addressed through traditional braces. During your initial visit, you’ll learn if Invisalign is a good fit for your specific needs. 

An often overlooked aspect of choosing between braces and aligners is whether you or your child is able to fully comply with treatment guidelines. Invisalign requires the aligners to be worn around the clock. Taking them out or forgetting to wear them will lengthen your overall treatment time.

Dr. Thompson can help you determine, based on your alignment needs and personal habits, whether Invisalign is the best choice to perfect your smile.

What is it like to go through Invisalign treatment?

Many people find wearing Invisalign to be incredibly easy. Your aligners are designed to be worn constantly (20-22 hrs a day) , only coming out while you eat, drink, or perform dental hygiene routines.

You’ll switch to a new set of trays every couple of weeks. A degree of soreness is normal after you change to new trays, but you’ll find the discomfort subsides in a day or two once your teeth begin to shift into better alignment. A similar sensation occurs when wires are changed in traditional braces.

From time to time you’ll return to Lovely Smiles Orthodontics for a treatment assessment. That’s the perfect time to ask questions or express concerns about your progress. 

There are three categories of Invisalign treatment. InvisalignⓇ First is used in Phase 1 early orthodontic treatment. InvisalignⓇ Teen is a great option for teenage patients and offers easy-to-install aligners using SmartForceⓇ Attachments. Standard Invisalign treatment is a favorite among adults who want to improve their smile without shining metal components. 

Begin exploring your options today by booking a consultation with Dr. Thompson at Lovely Smiles Orthodontics. Online scheduling is available, or you can always call or stop by to check appointment availability. 

Click this link on your mobile device or Scan the QR Code for a preview. You will access the SmileView app. It will ask you to take a smiling selfie and then quickly simulate a before and after transformation of your smile.