What Is Invisalign And How Does It Work?
Invisalign® is a type of aligner system which helps to correct your smile without being visible. These aligners(invisible braces) look similar to a bleaching tray which might lead you to think that they would not be able to correct your teeth.But these aligners are made up of a special type of thermoplastic resin that exerts transient force on your teeth to align them. Your orthodontist will take some special impressions, X-rays and photographs and send them across to the Invisalign® technicians along with the proposed treatment plan. These impressions are then scanned to create a 3-D model of your teeth and occlusion. Next, the Invisalign® technician digitally moves around the teeth in the 3-D model to align them to their desired position. This gradual movement from start to finish is made into an animated film called a ‘ClinCheck’ video. This is where you, as a patient, get involved in your treatment plan. Your dentist will show this video and you can either choose to accept the plan or make any changes to it. Once the treatment plan is finalized, Invisalign® manufactures the custom aligners using CAD/ CAM technology and delivers it to your dentist. Typically, the patient wears multiple aligners or invisible braces, each for a period of two weeks until the desired result is achieved.
What Are The Advantages Of Invisalign Over Other Orthodontic Solutions?
One of the main drawbacks of traditional orthodontic treatment is its visibility. Most adults have job constraints and social situations like weddings etc. which makes them reconsider undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. This is where Invisalign® has a huge advantage—it straightens your teeth without being visible and affecting your life. The clear plastic trays or braces are almost invisible when compared to the metal train tracks. They do not affect your speech and are very comfortable to wear. Another advantage is that Invisalign® is not fixed to your teeth and, thus, you have no diet restrictions and it is also easy to keep your teeth clean.
Who Are The Best Candidates For Invisalign
Invisalign® can be used on most adults and teenagers to align their teeth. However, there are certain cases which require more precise tooth control such as closure of extraction space, impacted teeth and teeth with poor bone levels. Such situations demand more control over tooth movement which is difficult to achieve with a removable aligner. Such cases are best treated with fixed orthodontic treatment or a partial fixed treatment along with Invisalign®. Also, patient compliance is of utmost importance in achieving successful results with Invisalign®, and if you think you are not going to be responsible with wearing removable aligners we recommend you go in for fixed braces instead.
What Can I Expect On My First Appointment For Invisalign
Your first appointment is a standard consultation appointment wherein the orthodontist will see your case and speak to you and understand what your concerns are. Also,the dentist will take your diagnostic records, X-rays, Study models and photographs. After analyzing these records, a treatment plan is made which is best suited for you. If you are a suitable case for Invisalign®, the next appointment will be scheduled to take the final impressions and bite registrations, which are then sent to Invisalign®.
How Long Does The Invisalign Treatment Take?
Once the final impressions have been sent, it takes approximately 7-10 days to get your ‘ClinCheck’ video and once this has been approved, another 7-15 days to receive the aligners.
How Often Should The Invisalign Patient See The Dentist?
Unlike conventional orthodontic treatment wherein the patient visits the orthodontist every 4-6 weeks for adjustments, the Invisalign® patient will be fixed according to your treatment plan. You will need to see your dentist if any IPR (Interproximal Reductions) need to be done or if any attachments need to be placed.This makes it super convenient for patients who travel around for work. We recommend our patients to come in every 6-8 weeks, if possible, to make sure everything is going according to the prescribed plan and also to make sure you are motivated to keep wearing your aligners.
How Often Should Invisalign Aligners Be Worn?
Aligners are worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day for two weeks before shifting to the next aligner. Don’t worry, you would not even feel that you are wearing anything at all which is why they are also known as invisible braces.Apart from removing the aligners while eating or drinking anything colored, you can easily wear them all the time.
Do I Wear Retainers After The Invisalign Treatment?
Teeth have memory and they tend to go back to their original position, hence it is important to retain them in place after any form of orthodontic treatment.
What Are The Payment Options?
The charges for Invisalign® are determined by complexity of the case; an easy case will require fewer aligners and adjustments and hence cost much less than a more complicated case. We do our bit to make the cost of Invisalign® treatment affordable. The cost can be recovered over the entire treatment period in installments.
