Orthodontic treatment is often necessary for a straight, healthy smile. Straight teeth are easier to clean and less prone to causing oral health issues such as decay, gum disease, and further misalignment. Individuals who experience dental misalignment can have it corrected by undergoing orthodontic treatment, but treatment with metal braces is known to be uncomfortable and slow acting, often taking at least two years to achieve the desired smile.
Fortunately, patients of Chapko & Shah Modern Dentistry have the option of a fast acting, comfortable, and discreet alternative to metal braces called Invisalign.
Invisalign is an advanced orthodontic system that uses clear aligner trays instead of metal brackets and wires to straighten smiles. The trays are made of patented SmartTrack® material that guide your teeth into place over time. Best of all, Invisalign aligners can be easily removed when eating and drinking as long as they’re in for at least 22 hours each day.
Invisalign can help correct the following orthodontic issues:
Invisalign offers many benefits over metal braces that makes them the preferred orthodontic treatment option, including:
You’ll start with an initial consultation with one of our dentists to ensure Invisalign is the best option for your unique situation. During your consultation, your dentist will determine your candidacy for Invisalign by thoroughly examining your mouth, reviewing your medical history, and discussing your oral health goals. They’ll also tell you about your other orthodontic options to ensure you can make an informed decision that’s right for you.
Once we’ve decided Invisalign is the perfect treatment for you, we’ll design your Invisalign clear aligners by taking impressions and images of your teeth in their current alignment. These images and impressions will be sent to a dental laboratory, where they’ll be used to create your custom-made Invisalign trays.
You’ll return to our Belvidere, IL office to have your dentist demonstrate how to place your Invisalign trays. Your Invisalign trays should snap on — a simple, painless process that requires no anesthetic and takes less than seconds. Once your dentist is sure your trays fit comfortably and properly, we’ll send you home with the rest of your aligner trays.
Your Invisalign trays need to be worn for at least 22 hours per day for treatment to be effective. Usually, you’ll need to wear each set in the series for two to four weeks before moving on to the next set of aligner trays. You should only remove your Invisalign trays to eat, drink fluids other than cool, plain water, and to clean your teeth and aligner trays.
To maintain your aligners, you’ll need to handle them with care. When you do remove your aligners for certain occasions, be sure to take them out from back to front to avoid tearing them. Rinsing your aligners after you take them out and before you put them back in will also help you prevent bacteria from building on them.
Beyond simply rinsing them, you’ll need to clean your Invisalign trays twice a day with lukewarm water, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a gentle antibacterial soap or toothpaste. Additionally, you should soak them at least once a day in a mixture of three parts lukewarm water and one part white vinegar. You can also use a solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and lukewarm water, or lukewarm water and Invisalign cleaning crystals.
Avoid using hot water when you rinse, clean, or soak your Invisalign trays, as the extreme heat could warp and damage them.
It’s highly recommended that you don’t smoke or use tobacco products while your Invisalign trays are in your mouth, as there’s a chance the tobacco will stain or damage the aligner material. Smoking is also bad for your oral and overall health, so our dentists recommend that you seek help quitting if you currently use tobacco products.
In most cases, yes, you can receive a dental implant, then undergo orthodontic treatment with Invisalign. Your implant will be taken into account when your custom-made aligner trays are designed.
However, if you have a high number of implants, Invisalign treatment may not be for you. Your dentist will be sure to consider all aspects of your overall health before recommending Invisalign treatment.
If you lose an Invisalign tray, call Chapko & Shah Modern Dentistry at (815) 544-5144 to schedule an appointment, so our dentists can decide on the next best step. Depending on your case, your dentist will order new trays for you, or have you move on to the next tray in the series. However, you shouldn’t make any decisions without contacting our Belvidere office first.
While the average time of Invisalign treatment is 12 to 18 months, your treatment time will vary based on factors such as the condition of your oral health, the extent of your orthodontic issues, and your habits during your treatment. To increase the effectiveness and reduce the treatment time of Invisalign, be sure to follow the instructions given to you by your dentist.
The staff is always pleasant. Dr. Chapko and Dr. Shah are always friendly. We’ve gone to Dr. Chapko for maybe 35 years or so and won’t go anywhere else as long as they have a practice. I don’t know the name of the tech that cleans my teeth but she’s the best I ever had. She’s pregnant so I’ll miss her at my next cleaning but she promised she’d be back for the following cleaning. She better!
I can’t say enough good things about my dentist. Dr. Chapko and Dr Shah have always been attentive and understanding to my needs. My dental hygienist, Deb has been amazing! She is very good at her job and makes the cleaning easier and pain free. I like that I get the same hygienist every time I come in. I’ve been with Dr. Chapko for about 12 years and don’t plan on going any where else!!!!!
Dr Shah is great. I had a procedure today and it couldn’t have gone any better. Quick and painless during the procedure. And now I’m feeling good even after the numbing medicine has worn off. Five stars isn’t enough. She/they are great. Thank you so much!!
Dr. Chapko and Shah are the best! They are both so kind and truly care about their patients and take the time to get to know them. They have a wonderful staff and always take the best care of my teeth. I have been going to Dr. Chapko for the past 21years ever since I’ve had enough teeth to see a dentist. I always leave their office feeling great and my teeth feeling so clean! I always look forward to coming back for the 6 month check up!
The people of this office are polite, courteous, compassionate, and knowledgeable. Both Dr. Chapko and Dr. Shah have wonderful beside manner. Deb is my favorite dental hygienist. She makes you feel at ease and listens to your individual needs. As a nurse, I am very selective regarding who provides care for myself and my family. I would definitely recommend the amazing people of this practice.
