We’re pretty sure you’ve heard of Invisalign. It’s a modern alternative to metal braces that straightens teeth with a series of clear aligners.
Unlike traditional metal braces, however, you probably haven’t seen Invisalign anywhere. How could you when Invisalign is practically invisible? The clue is in the name – “Invis-align.
So how does Invisalign work? How can a device that is virtually invisible help to achieve your dream smile?
Our mini guide explains everything you need to know to ascertain whether Invisalign will work for you. Of course, you will need to visit your Invisalign dentist or orthodontist for their advice and guidance.
Go on, spill the beans. How does how Invisalign work?
Invisalign treatment is an exceptionally discreet way to straighten teeth using advanced CAD/CAM technology.
Clear aligners can be an excellent choice for someone wanting to improve their smile with straighter teeth and a more aligned bite. They can achieve their dream smile and are minimally visible when worn.
Invisalign can treat a wide range of minor to moderate orthodontic problems, including
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded or misaligned teeth
- An overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite
Cutting-edge aligner technology provides orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth through a series of custom-fitted clear aligners worn over the teeth like a mouthguard.
To start the process, the dentist uses a 3D scanner to take images of your teeth. These images are fed to a computer to assist in designing your aligners.
Specialised Invisalign computer software generates a series of sequential aligners or trays that gradually move your teeth into their correct position over time.
So, how does Invisalign aligner treatment move teeth?
Invisalign treatment works by making use of the natural processes already happening in your mouth. The trays control compression and tension forces, manipulating them to reposition the teeth gently and slowly. In doing so, bone and cementum resorption occurs, followed by the deposit of new bone to hold the teeth in their new position.
Controlled force is applied to different areas of the teeth during various stages of Invisalign treatment. Simply put, each aligner moves specific teeth.
Typically, most people receive a new set of aligners every two weeks throughout their personalised treatment. Each new tray moves the teeth .25mm within the first three days. While that may sound impressive, that figure represents the movement of the periodontal ligament and not the bone in most cases.
The bone must move as the teeth change position because it holds the teeth in place. The reason patients have to wear each set of aligners for two weeks is because it takes up to 14 days for the ligament fibres to apply sufficient cementum to secure the bone in its new position.
For how long do I need to wear the Invisalign tray?
As you can imagine, maintaining the new position of your teeth can be difficult if a person fails to wear their clear aligners for the recommended time each day. Not wearing the trays for the allotted time increases the risk of relapse or reverse movement of the teeth.
If this were to happen, it would lengthen the duration of Invisalign treatment and postpone the eagerly awaited reveal of your new smile.
For your Invisalign to produce the best results and each set of aligners to work. It’s essential to wear them for the length of time recommended by your dentist or orthodontist – usually 20-22 hours each day.
To be on the safe side, we recommend removing your aligners to eat and drink (anything other than water) and brushing and flossing your teeth. Please keep them in your mouth for the rest of the time.
How long does Invisalign therapy take?
Since each case is different, the duration of Invisalign treatment will vary from one patient to another. Each treatment plan is tailored to the needs of the patient. Ultimately, the length of treatment and the number of aligners will depend on how many dental conditions a patient has, i.e. crowded teeth, gapped teeth, etc.).
On average, Invisalign treatment takes between 12 and 18 months, although minor cases can achieve their desired results in as little as six months.
So now you have the answer to your question of “how does Invisalign work” you’re probably keen to find out if Invisalign is a suitable treatment for you. Why not arrange a consultation with the friendly team at My Local Dentists to find out. Call or book online today and take the first step to your dream smile.