Invisalign®

One of the primary concerns people often have about traditional braces is the aesthetic impact of the metalwork on their smile. Especially for adults, the prospect of wearing braces for long periods of time can be discouraging. Invisalign® offers an almost invisible aligning system that straightens teeth and contains no metal; in addition to the reduced visual impact, Invisalign® trays can be temporarily removed for important occasions. To date, a great number of people have completed Invisalign treatment to great satisfaction and beautiful results.

What kind of bite problems can Invisalign® correct?

Invisalign® can correct many of the same dental problems as traditional metal braces. The only difference is that Invisalign® trays are much less visible to the naked eye and can be removed at will.

Here are some problems that are commonly corrected with Invisalign®:

Overcrowding – This occurs when there is too little space for the teeth to align normally in the mouth.
Large gaps between teeth – This can sometimes occur because teeth are missing or small or because of jaw size discrepancies.
Crossbite – This common dental problem occurs when one or multiple upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth.
Overbite – This problem occurs when the upper teeth project further than, or completely cover, the lower teeth.
Underbite – This is the inverse of the overbite; the lower teeth project further than, or completely cover, the upper teeth.

What does Invisalign® treatment involve?

First, we use the Itero scanner to to do an intraoral scan of your teeth. From this scan, Invisalign will develop a simulation of your treatment. We need to review and adjust these simulations to move the teeth in the most appropriate and efficient manner. Once the simulations are modified and corrected, the aligners are manufactured. The number of aligners required will vary with each individual case. Most patients will need to have attachments added to some of their teeth to help aligners move their teeth better. In addition, many patients will also need to have interproximal tooth reduction (IPR) done on their teeth to help resolve dental crowding.

Patients are usually seen every two to three months once they start wearing aligners. Invisalign provides more flexibility and convenience over traditional braces in terms of office visits. In addition, patients usually experience few, if any, orthodontic emergencies.

What are some considerations when wearing Invisalign® trays?

Patients don't usually experience much discomfort when they start wearing Invisalign but may need a few days to adjust to speaking with aligners in their mouth. The trays should be worn constantly, except when eating and drinking. It is important to remove the trays when consuming food or drink because food can become trapped between the trays and the teeth, causing tooth staining and/or decay.

Usually, new trays are necessary every one to two weeks, and progress between appointments can be seen with the naked eye. There is no doubt that Invisalign® aligning trays have revolutionized orthodontics.

If you have questions about Invisalign®, please contact our office.

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