According to Invisalign, over 6 million people all over the world have used Invisalign aligners to transform their smiles.
The ability to craft the perfect smile and bite without all of the metal hardware and grinding sounds pretty alluring. And, the results are very impressive. However, not many people seem to understand just how it works.
How does Invisalign work? Keep reading to find out how these removable clear aligners work to transform your smile.
What Are Invisalign Aligners?
These clear aligners look very similar to the retainers that some people wear after receiving treatment with normal braces. This is one of the biggest perks of opting for Invisalign treatment: they’re pretty unnoticeable!
Because they are clear, it means that they’re nearly invisible when you have them in your mouth. This means no metal, no hardware, and no unsightly rubber bands and therefore, they are socially acceptable for teens and adults.
The trays work to slowly to align your teeth over time and each tray is slightly different and more aligned than the previous one.
Instead of visiting your dentist so they can tighten your braces, they’ll provide you with a new tray that will move your teeth about 0.25 mm.
You take the invisible aligners out when you eat, but aside from that, you can keep them in for the rest of your day, even when you’re sleeping. We recommend 22 hours per day.
Most people keep their aligners in a case similar to the cases that come with retainers, making them easy to transport and take with you wherever you go.
What Happens During Invisalign Treatment?
Do clear aligners sound like a better option for you than traditional metal or ceramic braces? Then, you can start by visiting your Dr. Eshom and team for an initial consultation.
It’s important to visit a dentist who specializes in this type of treatment. The planning and implementation are a little different than what traditional braces require. Invisalign-trained providers have to attend special training to carry out the treatment. Here at San Diego Invisalign, Dr. Eshom and his associates have successfully completed the most Invisalign cases in San Diego and hold the “Diamond Plus” Provider status designated to the top 1% Invisalign providers in the country.
During your first consultation, you will likely have to get an x-ray and 3D scan of your teeth. This is so they show you a simulation of you completed smile andncan better understand how they’re going to plan out each Invisalign tray from appointment to appointment.
Your Invisalign aligners will then be custom-made to fit your teeth and your overall needs regarding getting a better smile, straightening and/or correcting your bite.
The best part? You don’t have to endure any invasive process when they’re creating your aligners.
Unlike retainers, doctors make these clear aligners using the 3D scanning wand, not a goopy mold of your teeth. This creates a more accurate fit and is just plain easier for patients.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Great question! It’s one we get a lot.
The clear aligners straighten your teeth by slowly moving a few teeth at a time. This patented thermoplastic design ensures that changes occur slowly enough to allow your entire mouth to adjust.
In this way, Invisalign controls the force used to straighten your teeth as well as the timing. Dr. Eshom and team are professionals who have the experience with this type of treatment will map out a personalized plan for you.
This plan will include which teeth they plan at each 6-8 week visit. They will also ensure that, after they straighten certain teeth, they’ll stay in place with the help of the aligners.
Invisalign for teeth is a bit two-fold here, as it helps ensure that your other teeth stay straight while the rest of your smile straightened out. But, it does it without the need for wires and metal hardware inside of your mouth.
Invisalign Treatment Timeline
Depending on your teeth and the kind of treatment you need, you can expect to have Invisalign aligners for about 6-12 months.
Recent innovations also mean that doctors can help patients achieve 6-month smiles with Invisalign. This type of accelerated treatment is great for patients who need faster results for an upcoming event such as a wedding or reunion.
If you are following a normal treatment plan, then your doctor will explain to you how Invisalign works before designing your personalized plan.
Then, if they see that the aligners aren’t working properly, they might apply teeth-colored button to difficult teeth to help the aligners have a stronger pull.
Caring for Invisalign Aligners
Any type of apparatus in your mouth will require some additional care, and the same goes for Invisalign aligners.
Most patients find that caring for Invisalign aligners isn’t that bad compared to the upkeep of metal braces. However, you should pay special attention to how you clean your aligners before and after each meal. Your office should provide you with cleaning crystals or tablets. If you run out of these, you can simply brush them with a toothbrush and normal toothpaste.
Because the aligners are clear, if you have food residue on your teeth before putting them back in, it could stain them (think pasta sauce, coffee, blueberry or other fruit spreads).
Also, you should never use hot water on your Invisalign aligners. If the plastic gets too hot, it could warp the aligners and result in delayed results.
Get Started with Invisalign
How does Invisalign work? Why don’t you see for yourself? Schedule a free consultation with the San Diego Invisalign team and learn more about how we can treat your specific needs.
Invisalign is a great option for patients of all ages and needs.
Whether you have an overbite or underbite, or simply want to straighten your smile fast without all of the metal in your mouth, Invisalign aligners are a great way to increase your dental health and confidence.
If you have doubts, then you can rest assured that we’ll meet or beat any reasonable Invisalign fee without compromising your results.