Modern dental treatments have become very sophisticated. Dentists can correct almost all kinds of damage and ensure you have the perfect smile. Some of the most common dental treatments for perfecting the smiles of our patients include Invisalign and dental crowns. Tons of young professionals in Irvine Spectrum visit us every day to improve their smiles and quality of life.
At Rice Dentistry, our dentists have helped patients with all kinds of dental problems, including misalignment and tooth damage. If you’re thinking of straightening your teeth or rebuilding their appearance, you’re likely considering Invisalign or dental crowns. Learn more about these different treatments to find out which option is right for you.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a treatment designed to straighten teeth and ensure they are aligned well. This treatment involves a series of clear plastic trays that gradually move the teeth into the desired position. Invisalign treatments last for around 12 months and can involve anywhere between 5 to unlimited trays based on the patient’s requirements.
Invisalign won’t correct severe overbites or underbites. It can’t exert as much sustained pressure on the tooth as metal braces can. However, this treatment is ideal for minor misalignments.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are designed to replace and reinforce damaged teeth. They look like natural teeth and are made from resilient materials like ceramic, gold, silver, or composites. Patients can get full or partial crowns (inlays and onlays) based on the level of damage to their teeth.
Dental crowns require an intact root or an implant to stay in place. If the root is too damaged, our dentist will remove it. They will then place an implant on the site, and the crown over it. Once the crown is securely in place, it can last for anywhere between 5 and 15 years.
Invisalign Process
Invisalign is a customized treatment and involves several visits to the dentist’s office. If you follow our instructions carefully, your teeth will be straight and perfectly aligned. Here’s a brief look at the entire process.
- Our dentist will first examine your teeth to determine if Invisalign is the right treatment for you. If your teeth are severely misaligned, this option might not be very effective.
- If the dentist considers you a good candidate for Invisalign, they will take a comprehensive 3D scan of your mouth. The scanner will take multiple pictures of your teeth and create a full 3D replica of your teeth in the software.
- The dentist will then order a series of aligners based on the measurements provided by the scans. These aligners are of different sizes and designed to gently guide your teeth into the right positions.
- Our dentist will fit the aligners in place and explain how you can remove them, wear them, and replace them. They will also provide instructions on how to maintain the aligners and ensure there’s no tooth damage.
After this process, the patients are in control of their aligners. They need to switch trays on the right schedule and wear the aligners for the required period of time. The more careful the patients are, the most successful their treatment is.
Dental Crowns Implant Process
Dental crowns can be used in a number of different ways depending on the condition of the patient’s teeth. The dentist will first examine your damaged tooth carefully to determine whether it will benefit from a crown. Once the assessment is complete, they will start the treatment.
- The first step is to prepare the tooth. The dentist will have to remove some dental enamel to make room for the crown if the root is intact.
- Our dentist will then take a comprehensive scan. This scan will help us create a customized crown at a later date.
- They will use the measurements from the scan to create a crown that fits your tooth perfectly. This can be done in-house with the help of CEREC technology.
- Once the crown is ready, the dentist will prepare the tooth and place the crown on it.
The procedure is slightly different in the case of implants or fully damaged teeth. Once the crown is in place, it can last for several years and won’t compromise your lifestyle.
Can You Get Invisalign If You Have Crowns?
One of the factors you need to consider when you look at Invisalign vs dental crowns is if these two procedures can work together. If you already have a dental crown prior to Invisalign treatment, it may or may not interfere with your treatment. More likely than not, it shouldn’t pose a problem. In some Invisalign cases, your dentist will need to bond attachments to your teeth. Bonding this material to a dental crown is much more difficult. Your dentist will need to evaluate the location of your dental crown to determine if it will interfere with your Invisalign treatment.
Can I Get Crowns After Invisalign Treatment?
If your oral health is suffering and you need a dental crown to replace a missing tooth structure or to strengthen your tooth, then it’s entirely essential to get a crown before Invisalign treatment. However, if you want a crown specifically for cosmetic reasons, we recommend waiting until after your treatment. During your consultation for Invisalign, we will discuss your options.
What About After Invisalign Treatment?
Yes! Once your Invisalign treatment is over, you’re welcome to do whatever you want with your teeth as far as treatments go. The only thing to keep in mind is that if you change the shape of your teeth, you will need to get a new retainer fitted. Wearing a retainer is essential for keeping your new tooth alignment after completing Invisalign treatment.
Learn More About Invisalign and Dental Crowns in Irvine
If you want to know more about Invisalign or dental crowns, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our dentists at Rice Dentistry today! Please call (949) 551-5902 to book an appointment with our cosmetic dentists in Irvine. During your consultation, we will go over everything you need to know about your upcoming treatments and answer any questions you might have.
