What Is Invisalign
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign clear aligners are custom-fitting, precisely crafted plastic trays that work to address malocclusions like overbites, crooked teeth, protruding teeth, or overcrowded teeth. These virtually invisible oral appliances work discreetly to align teeth and restore confidence and self-esteem. Invisalign treatment can be completed in about 12-18 months, but it all depends on the severity of malocclusions and how you commit yourself to put on the aligners.
Who Is Elligable for Invisalign
Are You a Candidate?
The Invisalign system was invented to serve busy patients who have mild to moderate bite misalignment issues. You are a candidate if you have bite problems such as protruding teeth, overcrowding, overbite, crossbite, underbite, crooked teeth, gapping, and open bite. Invisalign works suitably for teenagers as well as adults. The reason is that teenagers and adults have their bones already fully grown, so they are not malleable and an Invisalign cannot distort them.
To benefit from Invisalign, you need to have mild to moderate cases of misalignment. For more severe malocclusions, you may want to go with traditional braces. Regular wire braces have the ability to create more pressure on the teeth, helping correct severe misalignment. The health of teeth and gums can also determine your candidacy. If you have gingivitis or cavities in addition to bad alignment, you need to get the cavities and gum disease treated before starting the Invisalign process.
What Is Invisalign®?
How Does Invisalign Work?
Our dentist straightens teeth with a series of clear aligners. We start with an impression or mold of the teeth. We record the mold to help with the fabrication of the aligners. We may utilize 3D imaging that helps capture the teeth and mouth structure. The images are reviewed on a computer screen and our dentist uses them to map out the treatment at each step. This way, they are able to get the design of the aligners in every stage of alignment.
Once the aligners have been created in a lab, you are issued with a tray consisting of a series of aligners. Unlike regular wire braces, you put on the aligners for a period between 20 to 22 hours each day. You use the aligner for roughly 14 days and then move on to the next one within the series. This way, you can shift the teeth gently and discreetly.
What is the Invisalign Process?
If Invisalign is the best option for you, the examination, x-rays, and 3D model of your teeth will be used to create a personalized treatment plan for you. The treatment plan specifies the specific tooth movements required as well as the expected treatment time. The Invisalign lab can create a set of aligners specifically tailored to your teeth's needs after taking x-rays, a 3D model, and photographs of your teeth. Because of the digital impression of your teeth, the Invisalign treatment process can be visualized in 3D. During their treatment, a patient will most likely wear several sets of Invisalign aligners to gradually move their teeth into place.
Once we have received your first set of aligners, you will return to our office to ensure a proper fit and make any necessary adjustments. Your aligners should be worn continuously throughout the day and night, with the exception of mealtimes and dental hygiene routines.
Because Invisalign aligners can be removed for a few minutes at a time, you can remove them whenever you need to during the day.
When used correctly, Invisalign, just like regular wire braces, should not interfere with your daily activities. When you receive your aligners, you will place them over your teeth to straighten them. Each set of aligners should be worn for two weeks before moving on to the next. Your aligners will initially feel quite snug because they are designed to gradually and precisely shift your teeth into place. The teeth will gradually shift into position.
You may notice that your aligners become a little loose after a while. Even if they become loose, do not make a premature switch. Wear them for at least two weeks. As a result, your gums and teeth can adjust to their new location. Your treatment schedule will be thrown off if you replace your aligners too soon.
We recommend scheduling checkup appointments every six weeks to monitor the progress of your aligners and treatment. These visits also allow us to determine whether the aligners or treatment plan requires any changes. Once the treatment ends, we provide you with retainers to ensure the aligned teeth don’t move back to their original position.
Dental Issues Solved by Invisalign
To understand the benefits of Invisalign, it is important to outline some of the most common dental issues that would be solved by the use of Invisalign. Invisalign can be used for a wide range of purposes, including teeth crowding and spacing issues, underbite, overbite and crossbite issues, or even open bite. Research suggests that the use of Invisalign is especially effective in the alignment of dental arches, which are the curved structures that house the teeth and support the gums.
Effectiveness of Invisalign
Several factors affect the effectiveness of Invisalign aligners. First, the complexity of the dental issue will determine whether and how effective they are when used. It might take longer for more complex issues. Secondly, the cleaning and maintenance of the aligners will also be an important factor. You should be very careful when cleaning the aligners. If you use very hot water, it might end up warping the plastic and alter the fit, therefore affecting the progress of the aligners.
Visit us at Cooley Smiles to find out whether Invisalign might be the solution you need. Dial (425) 216-3367 today to schedule an appointment.
