Are you worried about your crooked and misaligned teeth, but the thought of wearing metal braces makes you think twice about seeking treatment? Don’t worry; now you can get your teeth straightened without anyone noticing, thanks to the Invisalign clear aligners. Owing to their inconspicuousness, comfort, and convenience, the Invisalign clear aligner has nowadays become the most preferred option to straighten teeth.
Is Invisalign the right option for you? It is best that you should know what Invisalign is and how it works before you decide. This article will take you through the steps that are involved in orthodontic treatment with Invisalign Aligners.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic system based on the use of virtually invisible removable aligners. A unique feature of these aligners is that they are made from a transparent material, this puts pressure on the teeth in a similar way to conventional wires brackets. Therefore, they won’t be visible to other people while you’re wearing them. Your dentist will give you a set of numbered aligners, which you will successively wear to move your teeth in proper alignment and occlusion.
How Invisalign Works?
Here are the steps involved in getting your teeth straightened with Invisalign invisible aligners:
- Consultation and Treatment Planning
When you visit your dentist for a consultation about getting Invisalign, he or she will perform a detailed examination of your oral cavity and look at x-ray images of your teeth and study models. This is done to ensure that you are a suitable candidate for getting Invisalign aligners. Considering your current oral health status, your dentist will prepare a treatment that will be fully customized for your treatment needs. Your dentist or orthodontist will also calculate the exact treatment time, typically this is anything from 6 months to 2 years.
- Designing your Aligners
In the next step, your dentist will use a special device to make digital impressions of your teeth and gums. Your dentist will then send this information to an Invisalign affiliated lab. Back at the dental laboratory, the digital impressions and models will be evaluated thoroughly, in consultation with your dentist, to design a series of aligners that will sequentially align your teeth in optimal angulation and position. Once the designs for your aligners have been made, the laboratory will fabricate them by using the 3D printing technology. These aligners will then be transported to your dentist’s office. Before you start to wear your aligners, your dentist may place some composite patches. These patches allow the aligners to grip onto the teeth and move them in the desired direction.
- Wearing your First Set of Aligners
During your next appointment, your dentist will instruct you regarding the use and wearing of your new aligners. For optimal results, you must wear your aligners for at least 22 hours each day. You should keep in mind that your new aligners may feel slightly uncomfortable during the initial few days of wearing. Don’t worry; it will go away in a few days. You may also have slight difficulty in speaking while your aligners – no need to worry, you will soon get used to your new aligners.
- Switching to the Next Set of Aligners
Most dentists ask their patients to wear each set of aligners for about 14 days. Once you have worn a set of aligners for the specified time duration, you should then switch to the next set of numbered aligners. You will feel slight pain and discomfort immediately after switching to your new aligners. This is because the new aligners are continuing to move your teeth, and as your teeth get adjusted, the discomfort should decrease. In this way, you should continue to switch to the next set of aligners after the duration set by your dentist. By the time you have worn two or three aligners, you will start to feel a positive improvement in your smile and facial aesthetics.
- Visiting your Dentist for Regular Checkups
While wearing the Invisalign aligners, your dentist will ask you to come for a checkup every four to six weeks. This is to ensure that your treatment is heading in the right direction, and the desired results are being achieved.
- Wearing the Retainers
Once your treatment has been completed, your dentist will give you the Vivera retainers by Invisalign. The purpose of wearing these retainers is to ensure that your teeth don’t move back to their previous positions once they have become properly aligned. Even after your treatment has been completed, your dentist will ask you to visit for a follow-up, so that your treatment can be consolidated, and you can retain your brand-new smile. During the Invisalign treatment process it is important to brush and floss your teeth, this will mean removing your aligners.
How Long Does the Treatment Take?
The duration of your treatment depends on two main factors: the severity of your problem and your compliance. Mild problems can normally be treated in 6-8 months. More complex problems may require up to 12 months to complete. Similarly, your treatment will take lesser time if you adhere to your dentist’s instructions and wear your aligners for at least 22 hours each day.
Invisalign aligners offer an aesthetically superior and more comfortable option in comparison to the fixed braces. Visit us today to discuss the option of your teeth straightening with Invisalign.