Invisalign at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group

One of the biggest challenges of traditional teeth straightening appliances is removing all the food that gets trapped in the brackets and wires. This leads to plaque accumulation and the potential for tooth decay. With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so it’s easy to continue brushing and flossing your teeth the way you normally do.

Invisalign’s comfortable and clear aligners gradually begin to move your teeth into the proper place and they’re 100% removable when you’d like to eat.  So, with Invisalign you can keep on eating typically taboo foods for orthodontic patients, such as: popcorn, chips, bagels, hard-crusted bread, pizza crust, pretzel, nut, carrots, corn on the cob, and more!

Invisalign Process

Dr. Mahara at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is a certified Invialign Provider.  He has extensive experience with Invisalign, but additionally Dr. Mahara has also undergone traditional orthodontic training and therefore can give you an unbiased recommendation on whether Invisalign is right for you.  In some complex orthodontic cases, for example, traditional braces may be recommended and if this is the case the reasoning will be explained to you in detail.

The first step toward straighter, healthier teeth is to book your consultation at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group with Dr. Mahara.  During the consultation, Dr. Mahara will discuss your case in detail to determine if you're a good candidate for Invisalign and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you have about the treatment.

Getting started

Dr. Mahara will take x-rays, pictures and impressions of your teeth, which will be used to create a digital 3-D image. From these images Dr. Mahara will map out a precise treatment plan, which includes the intended shifting of your teeth. Using this same technology, our Nanaimo Orthodontic dentist at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group will be able to show you a virtual representation of how your teeth will look at each stage of treatment.

Your custom aligners

Based on your individual treatment plan at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group, a series of custom-made, clear aligners are then created specifically for you. These aligners are made of a smooth, comfortable BPA-free plastic that won't irritate your cheeks and gums like traditional metal braces often do. Simply wear them throughout the day, and remove them when you eat or brush and floss your teeth. As you wear each set of aligners, your teeth gently and gradually begin to shift into place. Since the aligners are virtually invisible, most people won't even notice you're wearing them.

Change of aligners and check ups

Approximately every two weeks, you will wear a new set of aligners, advancing you to the next stage of your treatment. To monitor your progress, you will also have occasional checkups with Dr. Mahara, usually only every six weeks. At every point in the process, you will be able to see how much closer you are to having the healthier and straighter smile that reflects the smile you’ve dreamed of.

Length of time needed to reveal your new smile

While every case is unique, treatment typically lasts approximately one year for adults. For teens, the length of treatment is comparable to that of braces, but since your teeth won't be covered by wires and brackets, improvement will be visible much sooner. For optimal results and the swiftest outcome, aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day throughout your entire treatment.

Now, Invisalign also offers an express treatment for mild crowding and spacing issues.  Read more about this treatment option, called Invisalign Express, that lasts less than 3 months!

Quality Assurance

When considering Invisalign as a treatment option, consider the level of experience of your dentist.  Dr. Mahara is a certified Preferred Invisalign provider for achieving significant experience in providing high quality Invisalign treatments!

Treatable Cases

Overly crowded

Over-crowding of teeth occurs when there is a lack of room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally. Left untreated, overly crowded teeth can get worse over time. This condition has an additional downside, as it can lead to plaque accumulation, tooth decay and an increased chance of gum disease.

Spaced Teeth

Spacing between teeth occurs with continued growth of the jawbone. This can also be caused by the surrounding teeth shifting due to extra space left by missing teeth. Spacing issues between teeth can lead to gum problems without the normal protection of the teeth, periodontal pockets that can accumulate plaque and a general increased risk of periodontal disease.

Crossbite

Crossbite occurs when the upper and lower jaws are misaligned. It causes one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, and can happen on both the front and the sides of the mouth. This can lead to abnormal tooth wear and chipping, and periodontal problems including gum disease and bone loss.

Underbite

Underbite occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. It's usually caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. It can also be caused by missing upper teeth. This can prevent the normal function of front teeth or molars, which can lead to tooth wear. It can also cause painful jaw and joint problems.

Overbite

Overbite occurs when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth. It's typically caused by genetics, bad oral habits, or overdevelopment of the bone that supports the teeth. This can lead to gum disease and chipped or fractured front teeth.

We hope you’ll take the first step towards your straighter, healthier teeth and smile by booking your consultation at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group with Dr. Mahara today!