Invisalign®
Invisalign® is the most well-known brand name of clear aligners in the dental industry. They’re made from a thermoplastic material called SmartTrack. Transparent, flexible, and comfortable, it’s not entirely invisible to the naked eye — but you would likely need to look pretty closely to notice them. The covering goes tightly over your teeth to correct anything from crowding to spacing to bite issues. So whether you have gaps, a moderate underbite, or teeth that are bunched together, you can expect to see significant improvement over time.
The procedure involves several steps:
- 3-D images: When you visit an orthodontist, they’ll take a 3-D image of your mouth and jaw. From there, they’ll customize a treatment plan for the next steps. The primary goal is to optimize your oral health, as opposed to making your smile camera-ready.
- Aligners: The Invisalign® aligners you’ll fit on your teeth are ones that have been custom-made for you. They’re designed to be worn for up to 22 hours a day, and they’ll apply calibrated pressure to the teeth so they can shift into the right place.
- Update: You’ll need to switch out the aligners on a regular basis. Your orthodontist will tell you more about when to change them. New aligners are the best way to ward off larger problems, so it’s important to follow the schedule.
Outcome: How to Improve Your Invisalign® Experience
Your first priority is to wear the aligners for the prescribed time. If you want them to work, then you need to commit to wearing them for the vast majority of the day. The only time you need to remove your aligners is when you’re eating or drinking, cleaning the trays, or brushing/flossing your teeth. When you’re cleaning the aligners, you’ll need to follow instructions carefully. For instance, using hot water will warp the fit of the aligner, which can have an adverse effect on your teeth.
Duration: How Long You’ll Wear Your Invisalign® Aligners
The average range of Invisalign is between 6 – 12 months, though your experience will depend on a number of factors. The biggest variable is the complexity of your orthodontic issues. The more severe your spacing or bite is, the longer you’ll need to commit to wearing them.
You may experience differences based on your age and gender. In some studies, researchers saw that teeth were actually more likely to move between the ages of 35 and 50. After 50, women’s motion flexibility is about the same, while men’s shifting patterns seem to decline. Please keep in mind that these were general observations, though, and the differences were slight.
Preferences: Why People Prefer Invisalign®
If you’re looking for Invisalign® in Columbia or Irmo, SC, there are a number of reasons why you’d choose this option over traditional braces:
- Looks: This is the most common reason for people who choose this treatment. Not everyone is comfortable with the aesthetics of the brackets and wires of braces.
- Removable: Removable trays make it possible to brush and floss normally, as opposed to trying to work around the hardware of braces. You don’t have to avoid foods like popcorn or taffy either.
- Preventative: The trays cover your teeth entirely, which can reduce the amount of bacteria exposure that your teeth and gums would usually encounter.
- Convenient: Braces present a number of risks to the wearer, and brackets and wires can break or fall off relatively easily. Aligners may help you skip a few emergency trips to the orthodontist.
How to Know If Invisalign® Is Right for You
Davis Orthodontics has locations in Irmo and Columbia, SC, and we have extensive experience with Invisalign. While not everyone will be eligible for this treatment, based on the severity of their dental issues, these brand-name aligners have been shown to correct a number of gapping, crowding, or bite abnormalities. We’re here to tell you more about what your treatment will look like and what kind of smile you can expect at the end.
