{"id":13941,"date":"2021-03-08T14:46:03","date_gmt":"2021-03-08T14:46:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/?p=13941"},"modified":"2026-01-08T19:39:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T19:39:04","slug":"more-than-just-a-pretty-smile-invisalign-also-helps-maintain-healthy-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/2021\/03\/08\/more-than-just-a-pretty-smile-invisalign-also-helps-maintain-healthy-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"More than just a pretty smile: Invisalign also helps maintain healthy teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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After 10 years of prescribing Invisalign to patients at Westgate Dental Care and seeing their smiles beautifully transform, Dr. Aurora Hart decided it was time to give her own smile a boost by wearing Invisalign herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt had been in the back of my mind for a while, as I noticed my front teeth begin to crowd,\u201d said Dr. Hart, a dentist at Westgate Dental Care in Arlington Heights. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to go through the pain and discomfort of braces again, and after seeing how good Invisalign has become at predictably moving teeth, I knew this was the option for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Invisalign is a comfortable, clear alternative to metal braces for adults that doesn\u2019t require any brackets, wires or restrictions to be kept in place. Instead, Invisalign clear aligners are precisely fitted to an individual\u2019s teeth in order to evenly space them. The clear aligners can be easily worn during the day and night as well as easily removed for eating and drinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Hart said many patients come to Westgate inquiring about Invisalign because they\u2019ve noticed that their teeth have shifted, much like she did over the years. This shifting, said Dr. Hart, is a natural movement of the teeth that occurs as we age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEveryone will experience shifting teeth as part of the aging process, even those who had braces, but didn\u2019t continue wearing their retainers. The older we get, the more prominent the shift is,\u201d said Dr. Hart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invisalign was originally created to help those whose teeth \u201crelapsed\u201d after braces and discontinued retainer use, but Dr. Hart said that previously having braces isn\u2019t a requirement for Invisalign. The technology has advanced to be able to correct many different degrees of misaligned teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A free consultation with Dr. Hart or another Invisalign provider at Westgate Dental Care will help patients determine if they are good candidates for the clear aligners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If patients choose to move forward with Invisalign, the process is very simple. An initial exam will determine the overall health of patients\u2019 gums. If gums are healthy, dentists will then take precise measurements of the mouth, teeth and bite with a 3D digital scanner. From there, aligners are created specifically for each patient along with a customized treatment plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Patients wear their clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day and receive a new set of aligners every one to two weeks. Typically, Invisalign aligners are worn for 12 to 18 months, with dentists monitoring progress during the entirety of the process. The aligners are easy to clean and should be cleaned often with antibacterial soap to keep your mouth and breath fresh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients can also floss and brush their teeth normally while their aligners, also called trays, are removed. They can also continue with regular dental checkups and cleanings. Once treatment is complete, patients will be fitted with a retainer to help keep their newly aligned smile in place. Westgate Dental Care offers comprehensive pricing, comparable to traditional braces, and payment plans that incorporate retainers, so patients are outfitted with everything they need post-treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRetention at the end of treatment is the most important part. We recommend patients wear their retainers each night for life to keep their smiles dazzling,\u201d said Dr. Hart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the aesthetic aspect of a perfectly aligned smile brings patients in, Dr. Hart said Invisalign offers patients more than just cosmetic benefits. As teeth crowd, it can make cleansing in between them difficult, leading to greater increased risk of gum disease, sensitivity and bad breath. Additionally, misalignment can lead to chipping either upper or lower teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInvisalign addresses all aspects, from the cosmetic angle of perfecting your smile to helping patients maintain good dental hygiene by making it easier to clean in between teeth once they are evenly spaced,\u201d said Dr. Hart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those interested in Invisalign can reach out to Westgate Dental Care to schedule a free consultation. To learn more about Westgate Dental Care, visit https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After 10 years of prescribing Invisalign to patients at Westgate Dental Care and seeing their smiles beautifully transform, Dr. Aurora Hart decided it was time to give her own smile a boost by wearing Invisalign herself. \u201cIt had been in the back of my mind for a while, as I noticed my front teeth begin […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nMore than just a pretty smile: Invisalign also helps maintain healthy teeth - Westgate Dental Care Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Not only is Invisalign a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to braces, but it can even make your smile healthier as well. 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