Invisalign is a leading, professional tooth straightening treatment that can close gaps between teeth and correct more complex issues, including crowding, overbites, and underbites. These clear aligners are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to braces because they are convenient and almost invisible.
If you’re interested in Invisalign and wondering, how does Invisalign work? Here’s how the clear aligners help straighten teeth and more to transform your smile.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a set of custom orthodontic aligners that fit over your teeth. Made from translucent medical-grade thermoplastic, they are specially designed to move a patient’s teeth into the correct position on their custom treatment plan.
Depending on your situation, Invisalign can help straighten teeth, reduce crowding, close gaps between teeth, or correct an over- or under-bite. While more complex cases, such as rotated, too short, or too long teeth, may require traditional braces or other forms of oral treatment, the Invisalign treatment is an effective dental procedure for many patients.
The Invisalign Treatment Process
At Advanced Dental Care, we begin the Invisalign treatment process with a consultation to answer your questions about your eligibility for the treatment, and how does Invisalign work?
We’ll go over questions you have about the clear aligners, including cost and dental payment plans, what an individualised treatment plan might look like, the advantages and disadvantages of opting for this treatment, and more to help you make the right choice for your smile and budget.
If we determine Invisalign is right for you and you decide to move forward with your Invisalign treatment, we’ll begin on your custom treatment plan right away. Starting with digital X-rays, we’ll then take photos and impressions of your teeth and use them to determine how your teeth will move throughout each phase of your treatment and create your custom trays.
As your dentist maps out the movement of your teeth, they’ll also help you preview your new smile by using state-of-the-art software to show you how your smile will change during each stage of your Invisalign journey. You’ll get a sneak peek at the final result by watching your smile gradually change from day one to the very last stage of treatment.
Next, your dentist will work with Invisalign technicians to create your custom trays. Once they are made, you will come into the office to ensure they fit properly. While the length of your treatment depends on the complexity of your case, most patients can expect their Invisalign treatment to be complete within 12-18 months.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign involves wearing a set of fitted, clear aligners over your teeth for a designated amount of time. Each set of trays is custom-designed to move your teeth a predetermined amount and then to be swapped out for a fresh pair about every 1-2 weeks. Each set works to gently reposition your teeth over time, moving them as much as a quarter of a millimetre within the first few days of wearing them. Depending on your case, the clear aligners may move your teeth forward or backward or horizontally to straighten teeth.
You can conveniently remove your aligners to eat, drink, and brush your teeth during this time. This is partially what makes the clear aligners a more attractive option than traditional braces, which are permanently affixed to your teeth and may limit what you can eat and can be more challenging to clean. However, for optimum results, patients are encouraged to wear their aligners for at least 22 hours per day.
During each stage of your treatment plan, you may experience slight discomfort, which are signs your treatment is effectively shifting your teeth in the desired direction. For instance, your first set of aligners may feel tight at the beginning of the process and cause some mild soreness. That’s because your aligners have been designed to fit your teeth in the position they’ll reach roughly two weeks from now. You can expect your aligners to become more comfortable as your teeth gradually shift into the appropriate position.
Throughout your treatment, your dentist will have you come in for regular check-ups every 6-8 weeks to ensure your aligners are fitting properly and achieving the desired movement outlined in your treatment plan.
When you’ve reached the last stage of your treatment plan and have worn your last set of trays for the required amount of time, it’s important to note that there is always the potential for your teeth to shift or revert to previous positions. Your dentist will work with you to identify the best option to maintain your new smile, including options such as a retainer.
Transform Your Smile at Advanced Dental Care
Whether you’ve always had crooked teeth or you stopped wearing your retainer, and your teeth have shifted, if you desire straighter teeth, Invisalign can help. Call (02) 6188 7103 to book a consultation with Advanced Dental Care in Dubbo today to learn what Invisalign can do for you.
