Invisalign are clear aligners that can straighten your smile without the need for metal brackets or wires. The Invisalign aligner trays are practically invisible. They’re made of clear, medical-grade plastic that gently changes the position of teeth over time. Though the final outcome is often dramatic, the Invisalign system itself is subtle and hardly noticeable.
Before treatment begins, our orthodontist must complete a free consultation session with you to carefully evaluate your teeth and develop a treatment plan. The Invisalign system is not appropriate for every patient, but our orthodontists will be able to work with you to see if you are a good candidate for Invisalign. If you are determined to be a suitable candidate for Invisalign, impressions of your teeth are taken along with photographs to create custom-made aligner trays.
Using the dental impressions and photographs of the teeth, our team will create a virtual treatment plan that will include a succession of aligner trays that will move your teeth just a fraction of a millimeter to their final position. The whole process usually takes between 12 and 18 months to complete, but as with all orthodontic treatments, the treatment time varies from patient to patient. Treatment times may be extended, for example, if patients wear the treatment trays for less than 20 to 22 hours per day. During the initial free consultation, one of our orthodontists will provide you with an estimate of how long your treatment is expected to take.
With Invisalign, your teeth become straighter over time. Patients come back at specified intervals (usually between 2 to 8 weeks) to receive a new set of aligner trays that help the patient continue progressing toward a perfectly aligned smile. Our orthodontists watch the progress carefully and make adjustments as needed to ensure that the final outcome is flawless. Appointments are painless and take very little time. Benefits of Invisalign
Patients who use Invisalign to straighten their teeth do so because this system comes with a lot of important benefits. Some of these benefits are small, but others are quite significant in comparison with more traditional teeth straightening systems like metal braces. Many patients who would have never considered orthodontic treatment in the past, have become converts because of Invisalign!
Each aligner tray is custom-made to fit the patient’s teeth. The unique custom design means that the trays are discreet and stay snug inside your mouth. The snug fit means that the trays won’t affect the patient’s speech as much and because the aligner trays are removable, patients can continue to eat the foods they’ve always loved. Invisalign trays can be removed whenever necessary, though we recommend that patients make an effort to wear them at least 20 to 22 hours of every day.
One of the biggest benefits that patients rave about is the fact that by using Invisalign, teeth straightening has become a private, discreet affair. No one knows that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment or that you’re working toward changing your appearance for the better. The social awkwardness of wearing traditional braces is mitigated by the use of clear aligners to straighten the teeth.
And finally, Invisalign clear aligners are comfortable. Most patients put in the trays and hardly notice that they’re there. In comparison, traditional braces can cause abrasions and discomfort in the mouth while the tissues adjust to the new positioning of the wires and brackets after every orthodontic appointment.
