Teeth Straightening Invisalign North Tampa
Many people don’t like how they look in the mirror because their teeth aren’t straight. Your teeth can affect how you look and how you feel about yourself. Many of our patients at Miller Orthodontics have wanted to straighten their teeth for years but never thought they were ready for regular braces. That’s where Invisalign has changed how many of our patients talk about getting their teeth straight.
The idea behind clear aligner treatment is simple, even though the science behind it is complex. Instead of metal brackets and wires, this treatment uses clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth. Each tray is custom made for you and will move your teeth a little bit. Your teeth will slowly move into place as you go through the trays. We use digital imaging to plan out the whole process ahead of time. That way we know exactly where to put your teeth and how to get them there.
People want to know if this really works for their dental issues. The truth is clear aligners can fix many of the same problems as braces. We can fix teeth that are too close together and overlap or twist because your jaw isn’t big enough. We can fill in gaps between teeth. Some bite problems, including when your upper and lower teeth don’t fit together right, can also be fixed with clear aligners. But traditional braces are still the best option for some really complex cases. During your appointment we’ll be honest with you about what clear aligners can do for you. The first appointment is when the treatment starts. We’ll check your teeth, take digital pictures and talk about what you want to happen. We use special software to create a treatment plan that shows how your teeth will change over time. One of the best things we can do for you during this planning stage is show you a computer simulation of what your smile will look like after treatment. Before you even start this preview shows you what the results will be. This makes it a lot easier to decide.
When your custom aligners are ready we’ll let you back in to try them on and show you how to use and care for them. You can take them out, which gives you a lot more freedom than with regular braces. You can eat whatever you want without worrying about food getting stuck or hurting the brackets since you take them out to eat. You can also take them out to brush and floss, which makes it much easier to keep your teeth clean while you’re in treatment. You only need to wear them for at least 22 hours a day to stay on track with your treatment plan.
Most people report it doesn’t take long to get used to wearing the aligners. They don’t have the sharp edges that can hurt your lips and cheeks when you wear regular braces so they’re smooth and comfortable. Some people feel a little pressure or pain when they switch to a new set of aligners. This usually only lasts a day or two and it’s a good sign that the treatment is working. You can feel your teeth pushing back against the gentle force of the aligners. Braces for Kids help young patients develop healthy, well-aligned smiles that last a lifetime.
We schedule appointments with you during your treatment so we can check on you. It will be easy for our North Tampa patients with busy lives to keep these appointments every 6 to 8 weeks. During these visits we check to see how your teeth are progressing, make sure the aligners fit properly and give you the next few sets of aligners to use at home. During these sessions we can talk about any changes that need to be made to your treatment plan. People need varying levels of treatment. Some patients can get their teeth straightened in as little as 6 months but others with more serious alignment problems may need 18 months or more. When you come in for a consultation at Miller Orthodontics we’ll give you a timeline that makes sense for your needs. We’ll also talk about what you can do to make sure your treatment goes well and maybe even finishes early.
After your treatment is complete you’ll need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in place. Most orthodontic treatments do this. Teeth want to go back to where they were so using a retainer as directed helps keep the beautiful results you worked so hard for. Contact us to schedule a consultation if you’re ready to learn more about straightening your teeth near North Tampa. We’ll answer your questions and help you decide if this treatment is for you and what you want to achieve. Dr. Zack Miller, DDS, of Miller Orthodontics, earned his dental degree from the University of Maryland and completed his orthodontic residency at the University of Colorado. As an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, he is dedicated to creating healthy, confident smiles through personalized and transparent care.