Invisalign is a revolutionary technology that straightens your teeth without the need for traditional braces. One of its key features, beyond making it invisible (hence why they’re called “invisible”), includes advanced computerized enhancements to ensure perfect alignment every time! With this system you can wear them comfortably throughout treatment – no more painful extractions or posts needing frequent adjustments like before–and get rid of bulky brackets too so there’s less holding back progress during daily life activities. But what exactly is Invisalign and how does it work?
Invisalign is great at what it does. However, there are certain situations where it may not work as effectively as traditional braces that will be determined during a complimentary consultation. But generally speaking, Invisalign can treat almost anything that braces can: crooked teeth, overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, gaps in teeth, or even crowded teeth.
Once it is determined if you are a good candidate for Invisalign, we’ll take detailed records including photographs of your face and teeth, a digital scan of your teeth using our iTero® scanner and digital 3D imaging in order to create the right treatment plan for you. The records taken are sent to the Invisalign lab with detailed instructions on how your teeth need to be moved. Invisalign clinicians will then create your custom-made clear aligners, also called trays and send them to our office. We will typically be receiving them in three to four weeks.
Each set of Invisalign aligners is usually worn one week at a time. Each aligner is designed slightly straighter than your teeth so that over the course of the week, your teeth move to match the aligner until they have straightened to their final positions. In the meantime, you will meet with your orthodontist every 2 to 3 months to ensure your treatment is progressing as planned. For the duration of your treatment, you will be expected to wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day. This will help move your teeth into their final position for that particular set of aligners. If you do not wear your aligners for the prescribed time, your teeth will not move into their anticipated position, and your next set of aligners will not fit correctly.
After completing your initial series of aligners, your orthodontist will determine if an additional series of aligners are necessary to perfect your smile. These refinements are a result of “refining” what was done during treatment and can be expected at least 2-3 times over with each refinement procedure in which you’ll receive special instructions on how best to proceed forward.
The perfect position is just a little bit away! Aligners alone cannot move your teeth into alignment; attachments are necessary to help these little re-alignment tools create that ideal positioning on their own. With the use of Invisalign aligners and attachable heads, they can do so much more than you ever thought was possible with such small instruments.
Invisalign braces are very easy to take care of. Each morning and night, remove your aligners, brush and floss your teeth. Also, gently brush your aligners with your toothbrush and rinse them before putting your aligners back in. This is important because bacteria can build up on the trays overnight and throughout the day. Prior to putting your aligners back in after eating, you should brush and floss your teeth and rinse your aligners. Putting aligners back in without brushing can trap food particles inside the aligners. This can lead to cavities and other dental issues down the road.