Invisalign® is a metal-free orthodontics method.
If you desire some discreet orthodontic correction for your misaligned teeth, Invisalign® offers you the right solution with braces that do not show. This clear alternative to braces is a recent orthodontics technique that allows you to transform your smile and show off a set of seemingly brace-free teeth. It helps produce an improved smile by correcting improper positioning of teeth with the help of a computer-generated mold.
Like other orthodontics tools, it targets misaligned teeth, which are the main culprits behind tooth decay, and jeopardize your oral health. It is an effective treatment method for:
- Making your teeth and jaw aligned;
- Closing gaps between teeth;
- Straightening crooked teeth;
- Improving oral functions;
- Restoring improper bites;
Invisalign® moves your teeth by applying a controlled force with specific timing so that only certain teeth are able to move at one time.
This technology employs virtually invisible braces designed to eventually straighten your teeth in a precise sequence of steps. These computer-designed plastic braces are usually referred to as aligners. They are flexible, removable, transparent, and custom-made for your teeth. The treatment will take advantage of aligners to gradually straighten your teeth without using any metal wires or brackets. They can correct several different orthodontic issues, leaving you with a balanced smile in as little as three months. Instead of visiting your orthodontist for a tightening process, you replace your aligner every two weeks until you reach the final week.
Invisalign® aligners differ from traditional braces in some aspects.
Invisalign® and braces both use practical tools for straightening teeth while also improving your smile and oral health. However, they are different approaches, and each method has its own pros and cons. Their main differences lie in:
- The materials they are made of
Invisalign® uses virtually invisible plastic aligners in a particular computer-controlled sequence rather than metal brackets and wires, which, as their name implies, are made of metal alloys that are FDA approved, biocompatible, and free of any harmful chemicals.
- The way they are attached
Although fitted perfectly to your teeth, clear aligner trays can be removed easily at any time while metal braces and wires are glued onto your teeth and cannot be removed, unless by your orthodontist and at a dental clinic. Therefore, there may be a possibility of emergencies with traditional braces if they break or get damaged.
- The things they do or do not let you eat
There are no limits to what you can eat with Invisalign®, and you will not have to alter your diet as the aligner trays are removable. However, you will face some restrictions on your diet with traditional braces. For example, you cannot consume foods that could stick to, or damage your braces, and might be instructed to cut fruit such as apples into smaller pieces rather than biting straight into them.
- The way you should clean them
With Invisalign®, there are no such limitations, and you can maintain your dental health as usual, while braces can present some difficulties in how you clean your teeth during treatment, as you cannot remove them. You must be attentive to brushing food particles from the gaps between and around your braces. Your orthodontist will most likely advise you to buy an orthodontic toothbrush and orthodontic flossers.
- The average treatment duration
The course of your treatment with Invisalign® usually lasts 6 to 18 months, while traditional braces are attached to your teeth for up to two years or even more to complete the treatment process.
- Their effectiveness
Invisalign® works just as effectively as metal braces when addressing various orthodontic concerns, and has an excellent satisfaction rate. Offering more flexibility, it is considered an ideal treatment for teenagers who require corrective work. It is also more effective for moderate crowding of the front teeth, while traditional braces are regarded as more effective for more severe issues.
Invisalign® has some benefits over traditional braces.
The real selling point of Invisalign® is that its transparent trays are virtually invisible and can be removed at any time. Below are some other benefits of Invisalign®:
- This technique is the solution for those seeking a more discreet treatment.
- The treatment period is shorter than that of the traditional method.
- The process is much more comfortable since it does not use any brackets or wires, but flexible trays.
- The aligners are removable, allowing you to eat, drink and care for your teeth as you usually would.
- This method can treat a variety of dental issues, from simple to complex.
- The procedure involves non-invasive scanning, which is precise.
- The treatment is pain-free. You may experience minor discomfort for the first few days, but this will go away after a few days once your teeth adjust to the shape of the aligner.
Invisalign® can fix a wide variety of issues and concerns.
This modern orthodontic treatment can fix various teeth and bite alignment conditions in teens, adults, and seniors. Invisalign® braces are designed only to target a few teeth at a time. Your orthodontist will determine which teeth to move while creating your treatment plan.
- Crowded teeth
This condition happens when there is not enough space in the mouth for permanent teeth to grow straight. It can cause a higher risk of gum disease and tooth loss, making it challenging to clean teeth properly.
- Diastema, or gaps in Teeth
Gaps between the teeth usually form due to being born with a jaw that is too large for the teeth, or teeth that are too small for the jaw. Teeth will shift into the empty spaces and become loose because of these gaps, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Overbite
An overbite, also known as buckteeth, is a misalignment of the teeth that can cause excessive wear on the lower teeth and may lead to gum irritation or jaw problems.
- Underbite
An underbite is a condition in which your bottom teeth extend farther than your upper teeth. If the lower teeth interfere with the normal function of the front teeth, it can cause jaw problems.
- Open Bite
An open bite is a condition where the top and bottom teeth do not touch each other when the mouth is fully closed. The opening between the top and bottom teeth will affect chewing and cause speech problems.
- Crossbite
The condition in which the upper teeth fit behind your lower teeth when your mouth is resting is called a crossbite. Crossbite can affect teeth toward the back of your mouth and may lead to gum disease by causing teeth to wear.
Any age can be suitable for getting Invisalign®
You have the opportunity to straighten your teeth at any age, and there is no official minimum or maximum age for Invisalign®. Anyone at any age can be evaluated to determine candidacy. However, the earliest age recommended for this treatment is seven years old.
- Invisalign® for teens
It is actually a good brace alternative for teens whose permanent teeth have erupted.
Invisalign® offers a method called Invisalign® Teen, created exclusively for teenagers with mild to moderate crowding or spacing problems.
- Invisalign® for seniors
With proper pressure, Invisalign® is an option for seniors regardless of whether they have relatively straight teeth and want to put a few of them into a more optimal position, or all of their teeth are crooked.
Invisalign® is an advanced procedure.
Invisalign® employs cutting-edge 3D computer-imaging technology to take the current and final position of your teeth, so as to map out the customized treatment plan, which will ultimately be used to align your teeth.
You wear several sets of aligners every two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will gradually move until they reach their final positions.
The total number of aligners worn during the treatment averages 18 to 30 varying from case to case.
There are good reasons to choose Invisalign®
Invisibility and convenience aside, there is another reason to choose Invisalign®: It will give you what orthodontics was invented for!
- It gives you a proper bite to improve your overall health.
- It will improve the positioning of the lower jaw in relation to the upper jaw.
- It helps with your digestion, giving you more efficient chewing.
- It helps correct tooth and gum positioning, and you will benefit from an optimal bone architecture.
- It can fix facial, jaw, and neck pain in patients who suffer from sore facial muscles.
- It lines up your teeth correctly in the proper position, and, if you have been suffering from food impaction, which can cause significant harm to your gums and teeth, it will relieve you of that as well.
- It helps your speech with better pronunciation.
- It makes cleaning and taking care of your teeth much easier.
- It offers you aligners that act as protective dental gear for the rest of your life.
- It won’t just give you straightened teeth; it will also remodel your facial shape.
How soon you see the results from Invisalign® depends on your oral condition.
Some patients will notice the effects of this treatment in as little as two weeks, while others may need to wait several months before noticing a difference in their smile.
You should wear the aligners for at least 20 hours every day during the treatment. The longer you have them on, the more influential the treatment and the faster the process will be. If you do not wear the aligners for the minimum amount of time, you will not achieve the desired results in the expected period.
The process of Invisalign® has three phases.
The treatment involves three stages to show the ideal outcomes:
- Treatment Plan
First, your dentist will evaluate your needs, and digital images and x-rays will be taken of your teeth. If you prove to be a good candidate, these x-rays will be used to plan the ideal treatment for you.
- Wearing the aligners
Your customized sets of aligners will be fabricated, and when they are ready, you will get the instructions for wearing them. You should switch to the next set of aligners in the series at the end of the two weeks and visit your dentist periodically throughout the process.
- Wearing the retainer
Once you complete the aligner stage, you will have to wear a clear retainer as instructed by your orthodontist to preserve the results. The retainer is similar to the last Invisalign® tray you had. If you stop wearing your retainer, you might unwantedly cause shifts in your teeth, and even create changes in your bite, which will ultimately undo all your, and your orthodontist’s, efforts.
Invisalign® aligners need to be cared for.
Caring correctly for your aligners is critical to successful orthodontic correction. To achieve the best results, you should follow a number of home-care rules:
- Rinse your aligners once you remove them so as to clean them from the attached bacteria and plaque, and get rid of the sticky feeling on your teeth.
- Clean the aligners with an antibacterial soap.
- Always brush and floss your teeth before reapplying the aligners.
- Take care of your oral hygiene by properly cleaning your teeth, gums, and tongue.
- Do not leave your aligners out of their case when you are not wearing them.
FDA has approved Invisalign® treatment.
Invisalign® aligners are classified as Class II medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Align Technology, Inc. received the necessary 510(k) clearance from the FDA to sell and market Invisalign® treatment in 1998.
Invisalign® will not pose real risks.
Invisalign® is a safe method, mainly because its clear aligners are not attached to your teeth. Possible risks can come from human error, and that is why you should do your research and choose qualified providers.
Not all orthodontists can provide Invisalign®.
If you want to make your dream teeth a reality, you do not have to sacrifice your lifestyle, thanks to the modern metal-free braces. However, only an orthodontist who has been trained and certified in Align Technology can oversee treatment with Invisalign® braces.
So, if you would like to prioritize your teeth and enjoy a confident smile that shows off a set of straight teeth, stop by our office for a free consultation, and discuss your dental concerns with Aria Dental. We can offer you dramatic improvement as a certified Invisalign® provider. You will be in expert hands for the whole duration of your treatment.
