When it comes to first impressions, your smile is a key player. That’s why a few months ago, I began to explore some orthodontic options to get the crowding happening on my bottom teeth under control. As someone who had braces back in the day but never got a permanent wire to keep everything in place, I know what I look like with perfectly straight teeth… and I wanted them back!

So off to the dentist I went (as I do every 6 months – my crowded teeth required lots of hygiene maintenance). While I was there, I made my initial inquiry: Do you think I’m a candidate for Invisalign?

My dentist responded with a resounding YES, noting that crowding could lead to a whole host of problems like tooth decay and gum recession over time. No gracias! And with that, my journey to a well aligned smile began.

So why did I choose Invisalign clear aligners over all the other options?

First, its reputation precedes it. Being the A-type triple virgo I am, I did some research before pursuing treatment and while perusing the Invisalign website I discovered that the Invisalign system is the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, trusted by more than 18 million people worldwide to improve their smiles.

Second, the removability factor. While I’ve been diligent about keeping them in for the recommended 20-22 hours a day, I love that if I have an event or photoshoot or podcast recording I can pop them out and nobody is the wiser. And when I’m wearing them, people can hardly tell I have them on. At this point in my life, I really needed something that would work AND suit my lifestyle – no compromises.

Third, food. I love to eat. It is truly a passion and I’ll never forget the limitations imposed by the old school orthodontics I underwent in the early 2000s. This time, I was once again unwilling to compromise. I wanted to have my corn on the cob and eat it too.

Now, enough about me. Let’s talk about you.

If you’ve been wondering if Invisalign could be right for you, here are some things you may want to know:

• Invisalign clear aligners are designed to treat simple to complex cases in people of all ages, from kids to teens and adults.
• You’ll have to see an Invisalign provider to find out if you’re a candidate. Click here to find a provider near you.
• Invisalign treatment can often be comparable in price to braces and dental insurance plans may cover Invisalign treatment just as they would other orthodontic treatments, so check with your provider.

• Treatment time will vary based on the complexity of your case. I have some major crowding on my bottom teeth so my treatment timeline is approximately 18 months. Yours may be faster than you think!

Once you decide to pursue a straighter smile with Invisalign, you’ll have an initial consultation with your provider. For me that involved a full scan of my mouth using an iTero Element Scanner. This thing is straight out of the future, generating thousands of 3D images in mere minutes, allowing my Orthodontist to map out my new smile. From that, a custom treatment plan was created, tailored to my specific needs.

I am now almost 6 months into my Invisalign journey and I can honestly say that I’m loving it. It has been easy and mostly painless. I swap out my trays every 2 weeks and have very few Orthodontist visits to manage since at each appointment I go home with about 5 sets of trays. I actually can’t believe how much my teeth have shifted in such a short period of time, but I am super diligent about trying to have them in for as much of the day as I possibly can – that A-type personality comes in handy once again! In fact, at my most recent appointment, my Orthodontist told me there’s a good chance of me finishing treatment ahead of schedule because of how faithfully I’ve been wearing them – yay!

If ease and convenience matter to you as much as they do to me, then Invisalign may be right for you.

Take the smile assessment to get started and use this handy tool to find an Invisalign provider near you. 

WATCH NIKITAS INVISALIGN JOURNEY ON INSTAGRAM!