Oh, college! The most carefree of times… and the most pivotal of times.

If you are a college student (or the parent of a college student) you may be asking yourself whether college is a good time to invest in Impressions invisible aligners. The answer is even easier than a freshman prerequisite class: YES.

Am I Too Late? Too Early?

If you missed that “braces rush” that happened somewhere between fourth and ninth grade, you may be wondering whether you should even bother with straightening your teeth. If you are ready for improved dental hygiene and the smile of your dreams, then go for it! Even if you are the parent of a college student or the grandparent of a college student―go for it. It is never too late to improve the health, straightness, and all-around radiance of your smile.

On the flip side of that concern, you may be thinking, “If I waited until college to do this, shouldn’t I just wait until I’m out?” Sure, college may be filled with class, activities, and preparing yourself for your career, but it’s always better to take the plunge now than to wait. The post-grad world will be just as busy or likely busier. When you’re in grad school, starting that 9-5 hustle, planning your wedding, or preparing for your first child… you’ll be glad you already straightened your teeth during your time as an undergrad.

A Great Time to Invest In Yourself

College is already expensive. From the major expenses like tuition and rent, to smaller things like books and going out, you may be hesitant to spend any more money than you already are. That being said, college is a stepping stone to a brighter future. Similarly, Impressions is a stepping stone to the smile of your dreams.

Did you know that 48% of adults have reported that someone’s smile is the most memorable feature? This means more than just impressing the person you hope to take on your sorority/fraternity formal (though there’s nothing wrong with that!). It also means impressing professors, connections, and potential future employers. Of course, your impression on others has to do with far more than your smile. However, if you feel comfortable and confident, this will also help you feel at ease and free to focus on your goals.

It’s Easy and Convenient

College is busy and goes by in a flash, so the last thing you need is a burdensome chore on your hands. Fortunately, Impressions invisible aligners are as easy as they are convenient!

You start at the Impressions Hub, where (unlike most of our competitors) your scans will be taken by a board certified orthodontist. After that, the treatment will happen from the convenience of your home. It is truly the best of both worlds, sacrificing neither quality nor convenience.

Once you have your series of aligners, you’ll be ready to study and straighten anywhere. Take your aligners to college, to study abroad… and home to your parent’s place when it’s time to do laundry!

Your aligners may be easy and convenient, but they do require some care. Make sure you’re wearing your Impressions aligners 22 hours per day, brushing and flossing your teeth before putting them back in, and cleaning them gently. You’ll be used to the maintenance in no time at all, unlike that 8am class that always feels like it happens at sunrise!

Want to see if you qualify for Impressions at-home aligners?

Like many good people in North Carolina, we enjoy a nice glass of wine on a pleasant evening. The problem is that wine can pose a problem for your teeth. Let’s be clear, stained teeth don’t look good when combined with invisible aligners. Fortunately there are a number of wines that taste great and won’t stain your enamel nearly as much as some other popular options. If you are a candidate for Impressions invisible aligners, than you’ll want to keep these in mind!

We’ve compiled a list of great vinos that go easy on your pearly whites (and on the bank account!) so that you can keep your selection interesting this year.

1) Oaked Chardonnay

Chardonnay continues to hold its title as most popular white wine varietal on Earth, and as such has some truly spectacular options. If you are someone who loves the taste of a bold red wine with lots of oak, you may find the transition to Chardonnay a smooth one. Oaked Chardonnays tend to be buttery, bold and easy to drink, plus they don’t have all the color and tannins of a heavy Cabernet Sauvignon that can cling to teeth, affecting their color. Try something from Australia or California for a tasty wine that goes down easy.

2) Vinho Verde

Vinho Verde is a white wine from Portugal that is incredibly refreshing. Think of the most thirst-quenching dry lemonade of your life with a cool 10+% ABV thrown in for good measure. Several grapes are typically blended to create this gorgeous sipper, and you can usually find rose options as well. Enjoy this extra long summer while sipping on some vinho verde! The best part is, that this wine shouldn’t ever cost you more than $10, which is a great!  You know we know something about what makes a great deal…

3) Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc’s beauty lies in how absolutely versatile it is as a grape. Most wine experts agree that there is a style for every wine drinker. Chenin Blanc can make a crisp, lean wine full of tart fruits and gorgeous notes of chamomile. It’s can also be an age-worthy, oaked option similar to a Chardonnay. The array of flavors, variable levels of sweetness, and tingling acidity makes the hunt for Chenin Blanc a constant adventure. Two regions that excel with this grape are South Africa and the Loire Valley in France, both of which should be readily available at your favorite local wine store.

4) Gamay

Otherwise known as Beaujolais一the region in France where this grape originally came from一Gamay is a super light, very drinkable red wine. Many have compared its flavor to something like a Pinot Noir, with lots of red fruit and beautiful earthy notes. The important thing about Gamay is that it is meant to be consumed right away and does not benefit from aging, which makes it a perfect light-bodied red wine that will keep staining to a minimum. French Beaujolais is always an acceptable option, but recently the Gamay coming out of Spain has been equally delicious and offered at a lower cost.

5) Pinot Gris/Grigio

Since both wines come from the same grape, they can essentially be considered interchangeable, but Pinot Gris AKA Pinot Grigio is a top contender on this list. The primary flavors in Pinot Gris are citrus-forward, tasting like lime and lemon munched alongside a delicate pear with just a hint of white flower. Pinot Gris is a very lovable wine and can range slightly in flavor, depending on where in the world it comes from. Italian wine tends to be very dry and acidic, while French Pinot Gris has a bit more body, and American Pinot Gris will have the most exaggerated fruit flavors of all. Why not try one of each and see which you like the best?

6) Pinot Noir

A second red option in this list, Pinot Noir is a popular and special grape to wine experts and novices alike. There’s just something so appealing about the many flavors that can result in a good Pinot Noir. An obvious burst of bright cherry or bold raspberry is often tempered and made more complex by whiffs of mushroom or cola. Pinot Noir grows beautifully in a number of regions around the world, including Oregon, France, Germany, New Zealand, Chile and South Africa. Enjoy this delectable red with food or on its own, but be sure to savour its many flavors and nuanced character.

7) Riesling

Riesling has gotten a terrible rep over the years as being a cloyingly sweet, uninteresting wine with little to offer the refined palate. That description could not be further from the truth. In actuality, Riesling is and remains one of the most interesting wines that a person could drink. Riesling has a long history in Germany, and Hieronymus Bock even mentioned it in a novel he wrote in the 16th century.

With a masterful control of its level of sweetness versus acidity, German producers have, in particular, been essential to defining Riesling. It also happens to be a very age-worthy white wine, which is pretty difficult to find, and a great complement to food. Expect variable flavors, from juicy pineapple to distinct diesel fuel. Also, Riesling is made into a dry wine just as frequently as it is sweet. Look out for the word “Trocken” if you want a German wine that is dry on the palate.

Conclusion

Drinking a glass of wine in the evening is a cherished habit for many of us, and with this list you don’t have to worry about staining your beautiful smile! Be sure to brush and rinse your teeth each night afterwards, however, as all alcohol still has residual sugar that isn’t beneficial if it’s left to hang around your mouth. And if you’re working on your Impressions smile, don’t forget to remove your aligners while sipping!

If you are looking to improve the shape of your teeth, get in touch with us to set up an appointment. Impressions is a top at-home aligner system that makes orthodontic adjustment as easy as can be. We are always looking to help out more people with getting the smile they always hoped for, and we may be able to help you out too!

What’s the deal with invisible braces?

Your friends are doing it, you’ve heard about it from a coworker, and now even your parents are showing interest. Invisible braces are sweeping the country, and it seems like there’s no limit to how popular this orthodontic option can become.

Thanks to new teledentistry models like Impressions, more people than ever before have the opportunity to correct their smiles without having to sacrifice their comfort or confidence. But what exactly are the advantages to this style of treatment?

The Braces Are Practically Invisible

Most adults you ask will say the same thing: they can’t imagine having to wear a mouth full of metal for months at a time just to fix their smile. This kind of reasoning has kept millions from achieving the smiles they’ve always wanted. Braces have never been pleasant, but the idea is especially unattractive for those who are trying to rise up in their career.

Enter Invisalign, the system of dental correction that relies on clear aligners to do the work. Invisible braces have changed the way that people see orthodontic care, and yes, they actually are invisible, especially if you take proper care of them. Skepticism over how clear the aligners can be makes sense, but there’s no need to worry, and that goes double if you’re using Impressions.

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The Impressions system was created to offer treatment for mild to moderate cases. Invisalign, while convenient, is expensive and usually intended for serious dental correction. Impressions was designed to work fast and provide results; patients will wear a set of aligners for a week or two at most before switching to their next set. This ensures that the aligners stay clean and clear. Patients that use Impressions should never have to worry about excessive cloudiness and opacity in their aligners for the entirety of their treatment.

You Eat What You Love

The Braces Diet is a very real adjustment that patients have to deal with if they seek traditional treatment, but not so with invisible braces. With Impressions, we use clear plastic aligners made from an ultra-durable material to correct the shape of your teeth. Their design is based off an iTero digital intraoral scan of your mouth, which affords us total accuracy.

These aligners can be taken out whenever a patient needs to, especially while they’re eating, meaning there’s no need to skip the pretzels and peanut butter at snack time! While the window a person has to enjoy their meals may shrink, it will be hard to find much change in your eating habits after beginning treatment. Some patients have even claimed to lose weight while using Impressions.

Your Oral Hygiene Won’t Suffer

It can be very difficult to brush and floss your teeth with traditional braces on, and because of that some patients who seek that style of treatment see a decline in their oral hygiene. Invisible aligners are convenience and comfort at its best 一remove the aligners whenever you need to brush and floss, and place them back in when you’re finished.

It’s important that you brush and rinse after every meal and snack while using invisible braces. This keeps your teeth clean and free of bacteria or acids that can collect there and build up over time, which can damage the aligners. Traditional braces may contribute to gum disease and gingivitis due to neglect, but invisible aligners keep oral hygiene easy and accessible.

Safer and More Comfortable to Wear

Traditional metal braces are more than just unsightly, they can often cause lacerations if gum tissue gets stuck in a bracket. Clear aligners are totally smooth and mold to the shape of your teeth. There isn’t any excessive or protruding wire to catch or scratch your gum and tongue, and your mouth will be much more comfortable.

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Braces can be bulky and take up a lot of space. They can also change a person’s speech pattern slightly and make patients feel self conscious, especially in a professional setting. Invisible aligners are steadily becoming more popular, especially with those who don’t wish to sacrifice their confidence in the short term. They are impossible to see and won’t obstruct the way that you talk, leaving you free to make as many presentations as you’d like.

Start Feeling Better Today

A beautiful smile is the best accessory for both men and women. It can transform a person’s life just by supplying them with the confidence they’ve always wanted. Too many Americans are letting their teeth shape the way their future will unfold, but that doesn’t have to be the case. A good first impression is much easier to make when you feel good about the way you look.

Not only do invisible aligners offer a solution to those who want to discreetly correct their teeth, they show results much faster than traditional braces do. Because of this, treatment time with aligners is usually much shorter, which can save patients money. The average impressions patient is only using aligners for 6-9 months, after which time they’re left with the smile of their dreams.

Conclusion

Oral care and dental correction no longer needs to be done with metal braces. Thanks to revolutionary new technology and incredible materials, more people are going to be able to see the change they’ve always hoped for. Additionally, orthodontic care doesn’t need to cost insane amounts: Impressions typically costs half that of Invisalign, and we file with all insurance companies. If that still isn’t quite enough, we offer financing options as well.

The perfect smile is waiting. For anyone who’s wished they could fix the way their teeth look, there’s Impressions. Get in touch with us today to request an appointment and come in for a complimentary consultation with one of our doctors. Together, you’ll decide the right course of action and get started on treatment before you leave that day.