invisalign® in Tupelo, MS

Well-aligned, straight teeth are not only beautiful – they are also more comfortable, healthier, and easier to maintain. However, many patients hesitate at the idea of wearing traditional metal braces. At Tupelo Smiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, skilled dentists Dr. Richard Caron and John Kenney are pleased to offer Invisalign clear cosmetic braces for straightening the smile in a nearly invisible way. Custom made for your teeth and your specific goals, Invisalign is comfortable and convenient since these clear aligners may be taken out to make cleaning your teeth and eating much easier. An improper bite and crooked teeth can lead to future dental concerns that can be costly to fix and may negatively impact your oral health. But transforming misaligned teeth into straighter teeth with Invisalign technology can enhance your oral health, confidence, and the quality of your smile. If you or a family member are interested in Invisalign, schedule a consultation at our Tupelo, MS office to receive more information from our skilled dental team.

Here at Tupelo Smiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we ask our Tupelo, MS patients who are thinking about Invisalign clear aligners to consider the below benefits that their treatment can give them:

• Boosted confidence in your smile and overall aesthetic
• Individualized treatment option for crooked teeth and improper bite styles
• Quick, pain-free aligners that fit in to your lifestyle
• Sanitary option when compared to traditional braces and aligners

There are several factors that may impact the alignment of your teeth, including thumb-sucking as a child, genetics, tooth loss, and traumatic accidents to the face. The misalignment of your teeth may cause other oral health problems, such as a bad bite (dental malocclusion), uneven wear on the enamel, difficulty chewing and speaking, as well as toothaches and jaw pain. If doctors Caron or Kenney notice any of these concerns in your dental examination, we may suggest an orthodontic procedure, like Invisalign.

Invisalign can correct cases of:

• Overbite or underbite

• Crossbite or openbite

• Crooked or overlapped teeth

• Gapped teeth

Invisalign treatment may be a great option for both adults and teens who would like straighter, healthier teeth without the challenges and look of traditional braces. Even though they should be in most of the time, your aligners can be removed for cleaning your teeth and eating and when attending special events or playing sports. Since Invisalign clear cosmetic braces are more discreet than traditional brackets and wires, your friends and family will likely not realize you are wearing Invisalign aligners.

Invisalign straightens teeth through a series of clear aligners made in a special dental lab using advanced digital impressions taken by our iTero intraoral scanner. This technology eliminates the need for uncomfortable, messy impression materials. When your aligners are ready, you will come back to our office to receive your trays along with instructions from doctors Caron or Kenney. You need to keep your aligners in for at least 20 hours every day for the system to work, ideally removing them only for cleaning and eating. Every 1 – 2 weeks, you will exchange your current set of aligners for the next set in your custom series. We will schedule follow-up visits for you at our practice about every 4 – 6 weeks so that our team can evaluate your treatment and orthodontic progress. The length of time you will need to undergo Invisalign treatment will depend upon your orthodontic concerns and cosmetic goals; however, many patients wear the trays for around a year.

Once your bite reaches proper alignment, it is crucial to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original position. Vivera retainers by Invisalign are made with the same clear, comfortable material and will keep your teeth in their new position after your Invisalign treatment is complete. Every retainer is custom made at the Invisalign dental lab from digital iTero impressions taken once treatment is complete. We will talk with you about how long and when to wear your retainers and how to care for these appliances at home each day. Doctors Caron and Kenney will continue to watch the alignment of your teeth and bite during your annual examinations to ensure your teeth remain in their new place.

How should I clean my Invisalign aligners?
While you should be wearing your aligners for the vast majority of the day and night, they will also need to be cleaned often. The best way to do this is by using lukewarm water with Invisalign Cleaning Crystals that we can provide at Tupelo Smiles. There may also be other cleaning tablets available that are compatible with your aligners.

Why do I need to wear retainers after my Invisalign treatment plan?
Your teeth may look straighter than you’ve ever seen them after your time with Invisalign aligners is over. However, Drs. Caron and Kenney want to make sure that your teeth and bite stay aligned, and the best way to accomplish this is with use of a Vivera retainers that are specially designed for your teeth and mouth.

I previously wore braces, but my teeth have shifted since then. Am I still eligible for Invisalign aligners?
Absolutely. Invisalign aligners can treat a wide range of teeth and bite issues, regardless of whether you’ve had past orthodontic treatments. Some patients who are currently wearing braces may also be eligible to switch to Invisalign.

Can I get my teeth whitened while using Invisalign aligners?
We suggest holding off on teeth whitening until after your Invisalign treatment is done, since the aligners could disrupt the whitening procedure.

Will Invisalign aligners affect my speech?
When you first begin wearing your Invisalign aligners, you might notice a minor lisp or find speaking a tad challenging. However, most folks get used to them in a matter of days and their speech returns to normal.

Can I drink hot beverages like coffee or tea with Invisalign aligners in?
Drs. Caron and Kenney recommend you take out your Invisalign aligners before sipping on hot drinks. These can misshape or twist the aligners. If you're keeping them in, stick to cooler or lukewarm beverages.

If you or someone in your family is wanting healthier, straighter teeth without the challenges of traditional orthodontics, Invisalign clear cosmetic braces from our Tupelo, MS practice may be a great treatment option. Invisalign aligners are very discreet, making them ideal for teens and adults who wish to avoid the look of braces. Schedule a consultation with doctors Caron or Kenney at Tupelo Smiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to learn if you are a candidate for advanced teeth straightening with the Invisalign system.