Invisalign®: Just One More Reason to Smile!
What Is Invisalign?
It is a dental appliance in orthodontic dentistry that straightened and re-positions teeth. Invisalign® are unique teeth aligners that provide alternative solutions to conservative patients that do not want to wear metal braces. Instead of metal brackets and wires, Invisalign braces feature a transparent BPA-free plastic material tailored into a tray. This feature makes these braces virtually invisible when you smile. Other unique features of Invisalign braces are:
- They are removable – you do not have to visit a dentist in Oakland, CA, to remove your invisible braces, as is typical of metal braces. Instead, the clear aligners are removable, allowing you to eat whatever you want without the risk of damaging them.
- You must wear them for at least 20 hours daily – although you have the freedom to remove your clear aligners whenever you want, there are guidelines for treatment with these braces. Invisalign in Smile View dictates that you wear them for between 20 and 22 hours daily, making them effective in moving your teeth.
- Retainers for Invisalign – after your orthodontic treatment with invisible aligners, you must wear retainers. They are orthodontic oral appliances that help hold teeth in their current positions, preventing movement over time. During the first year after your orthodontic treatment, teeth are more likely to regress by moving to their initial position than in the other years to come. It is, therefore, crucial that you wear your retainers consistently, at least for the first year. However, orthodontists can recommend wearing retainers for the rest of your life to maintain the perfect results.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign works similarly to other teeth aligners by applying controlled pressure on teeth. The pressure can be continuous over a stipulated period to see changes in the alignment of teeth. Invisible aligners exert gentle pressure on your teeth through the customized snug-fitting clear trays. Orthodontists typically tailor the trays perfectly to your natural teeth, which is the one feature that makes Invisalign braces work faster than metal braces.
For about 6 weeks, you will rely on one Invisalign tray to move your teeth. After that period, you need a dental visit with your orthodontist for a new tray of aligners. The new ones will fit more snugly than the previous ones, accounting for the new position of your teeth. This process will be recurrent throughout your treatment. At the end of your orthodontic journey, you may have worn about 30-32 invisible braces for your treatment.
Invisalign for Adults and Children
The good news about Invisalign clear aligners is that they are perfect for treating children and adults alike. However, the viability of this treatment varies from one patient to another. The reason is that the teeth aligners can only correct mild and moderate malalignments. In orthodontic dentistry, not every patient can qualify for Invisalign clear aligners. They are best suited for mild and moderate orthodontic problems. Patients with complex malalignment will need to wear metal braces, especially during the beginning few months of treatment. Therefore, regardless of your age, you will only qualify for Invisalign braces if your orthodontist thinks you are an ideal candidate for the treatment.
Invisalign Before and After Pics
If you truly want to see Invisalign do its best works, visit us at Franklin Dental Care for the before and after pictures of different patients’ smiles. Orthodontic patients that have been diligent in following the necessary guidelines for moving teeth with Invisalign have yielded incredible results over their projected treatment period.
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
Once you get started with orthodontics with Invisalign aligners, expect that the treatment will take a long time to complete. Orthodontic treatments take several months, the least period being 6 months. Invisalign braces will begin to show changes in the alignment of your smile between 6 and 18 months. It depends on the treatment plan created by your orthodontist. The treatment plan generally extrapolates the direction of teeth movement and its pace. Besides, patients that are consistent with wearing their clear aligners for 22 hours every day will begin to see improvements in their smile alignment sooner than not.